PE And ED Are Treatable
PE affects about 20–30% of men in the sexually active age group and more than 50% of men over the age of 40 experience ED.
Men’s sexual dysfunction are not just internal deteriorations, but it also hampers the quality of life. It is important to understand the necessity of consulting with professionals to seek appropriate and effective treatment.
Did you know that conditions such as ED can be early indicators of heart disease? Many men are under the impression that OTC drugs will help improve their symptoms — that is simply not true. One, because not all medical prescriptions work for everyone, and two; because, not all men have the same cause behind their sexual dysfunction. Two of the most common men’s sexual disorders are premature ejaculation (PE) and erectile dysfunction (ED). From lifestyle modifications to medical interventions, there are solutions to improve these common sexual disorders.
Premature Ejaculation
Men with PE ejaculate before or shortly after sexual intercourse. While there is no “correct” time to explain how long one should last during sex before ejaculating, the consensus among specialists is: if a man lasts less than 2 minutes after penetration (all or most of the time), and/or if it leads to frequent dissatisfaction for him or his partner, he may have PE.
However, if a man ejaculates before he wants to, he can eventually lose his erection. This can lead to insecurity, embarrassment, guilt, and damaged relationships and intimacy.
The exact cause of premature ejaculation is still not known, but some experts say that low levels of serotonin can be a causative factor. The psychological causes could be depression/anxiety, relationship problems, and unrealistic expectations.
Men often don’t speak up about their symptoms because of the immense stigma associated with the topic. However, we’re here to tell you, there are effective ways that symptoms of PE can be improved.
Treatment of Premature Ejaculation
Some of the common premature ejaculation treatments available are topical anesthetics and counseling. This is ONLY decided with the help of a professional because the cause behind the disorder needs to be established before treatment is determined. Here are some of the common treatments prescribed to men with PE.
(1) Topical Anaesthetics: Doctors may recommend the use of anesthetic sprays and creams such as lidocaine, prilocaine, or benzocaine. These are numbing agents that are to be applied to the penis, for around 30 minutes or more, before sex. It reduces the sensation over the penis and aids in delaying ejaculation.
(2) Oral Medications: While most drugs don’t have approval for consumption by the FDA for treating PE, some specific ones have the license of use for the condition. These include antidepressants, phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors, and analgesics. The medications have a particular prescription dosage and should be taken following the advice of a medical professional.
Various medical treatments help with premature ejaculation; however, there is no permanent cure for the condition in some. Individuals can learn to control their ejaculation for sexual satisfaction through medical remedies, supplements, and exercise. Surgical options such as dividing the nerves to reduce penile sensations are still considered experimental.
Erectile Dysfunction
We’re here to tell you that ED is completely normal. ED is defined as the inability to sustain an erection sufficient for sexual intercourse. While the condition can affect anyone, it is more common in those over the age of 40.
The causes behind erectile dysfunction include psychological conditions, medical/health conditions, certain medications, trauma, hormones, and lifestyle factors.
Again, the stigma and inflated expectations associated with ED lead to the hesitancy of medical treatment. Depending on the cause, erectile dysfunction can be cured. Some causes of ED are easier to cure than others. A medical or psychological evaluation will aid professionals in making the right diagnosis and prescribing effective treatment.
Treatment of Erectile Dysfunction
Although erectile dysfunction can sometimes resolve on its own, there are many erectile dysfunction treatments available. Treatment can often be sought after consulting with an andrologist, urologist, and/or a psychiatrist.
The two main forms of treatments for ED available are psychological counseling and medicative intervention such as tablets, hormonal treatments, or medical devices. Here are some of the common treatments prescribed to men with ED.
(1) Hormone treatment: Men who are deficient in testosterone can benefit from hormone treatment to correct the imbalance.
(2) Oral medications: Multiple oral medications are used and are widely available in India for the treatment of ED. These medications are often taken once — several hours before sexual activity — to help a man sustain an erection. These should only be taken after a medical consultation.
As with all medicines, those used to treat ED may cause certain side effects. If you experience any unpleasant side effects from a particular medication, you can speak to your doctor for an alternative.
(3) Injection therapy: Although the thought of injecting medications into your penis is not pleasant, there are self-injecting therapies available for those who wish to have that option.
(4) Medical devices: The use of vacuum erection assisting devices or “cock-rings” are a non-invasive method of helping a man sustain an erection.
(5) Lifestyle modifications: Alterations in lifestyle significantly improve health — both mental and physical. They can help in regaining the ability to sustain an erection. Through smoking cessation, exercising, and a healthier diet, men can slowly see improvements in their abilities to perform sexually.
(6) Surgical intervention: If none of the conservational methods above work, men can opt for surgery to restore penile function. Surgery involves the insertion of an inflatable penile implant.
Given today’s appeal for sexual satisfaction, men need to understand that they can and should openly talk about issues relating to their manhood without feeling embarrassed or ashamed. We’re here to encourage you to open up to your peers and partners and reassure one another that this change, like other organs in our body, is normal and can be treated.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Sandip Deshpande.
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