A man's love life is directly linked to his erections. Every man often worries that he may not be able to satisfy his woman in bed. So, what is erectile dysfunction and how does one prevent or cope with it?

Erectile Dysfunction or ED is the term used when one is not able to achieve or sustain an erection for a satisfactory sexual intercourse.

Causes of ED

There are many causes for the occurrence of ED.

Medications

Chronic Illnesses

Too much alcohol consumption

Being too tired

Poor blood flow to the penis

Surgical injury

Psychological problems

Often,a man may have symptoms of depression because of ED. And that needs to be treated as well. Because the man will feel frustrated, angry,sad,and low self esteem in addition to lack of appetite and loss of sleep.

Treatment

Natural cures for ED can be administered provided a consultation with your doctor rules out all major disease that may also be the cause for your ED. Diseases such as atherosclerosis, diabetes,vascular disease, neurological disease, kidney disease are known to cause ED.

Eating healthy food,avoiding smoking and excessive drinking,in addition to having a loving receptive partner all help in modifying one's lifestyle for treating ED. In addition,some try out the natural remedies listed below which are thought to be helpful. Experts are not sure that these work and that too without side effects.

L Arginine (an amino acid),

DHEA,

Ginseng,

Pomagranate Juice (antioxidant),

Yohimbe (a herb),

Horny Goat Weed (acts like Viagra),

Ginkgo biloba

Prescription drugs include Cialis, Viagra and Levitra in addition to those used to treat impotence. But one has to follow prescribed guidelines carefully and some may have side effects as well.

Doctor's advise for treatment of ED includes medication,injections,lifestyle modifications and penile implants.

Penile Prosthesis are of 2 types-a malleable type and an inflatable type. Both require surgery.

The simplest of these is the malleable type which consists of implanting 2 bendable rods within the penis. The penis is always semi rigid in this case.

The hydraulic,inflatable version is more popular among men as it looks more natural and is easier to conceal. It also allows the man to choose when he wants an erection.

How effective are these implants?

Satisfaction is rated high among men with these implants. But, if removed, they will never experience natural erections. Of the 3 types of treatment for ED, -pills,implants and injections- implants are rated high by most men. Implants are permanent, require no follow up with the doctor and no side effects. They also prevent the penis from contracting, and a man can have the erections on demand.

If you opt for medication, you have to get your prescriptions, plan and wait. With injections, you have to give yourself a shot in the penis before making love.

The small drawbacks include mechanical failure and infection as with any other implants. But this is nothing compared to the benefits for one whose ED is not helped by medications. It is imperative that one takes proper advice from an urologist before taking the decision to go in for an implant. But doctors warn that implants do not necessarily make you longer as claimed by the fake advertisements one comes across.

Erectile dysfunction can be prevented and your married life can be much more satisfying.

Preventive Measures include

Excercise regularly

Stop smoking

Maintain healthy weight

Take prescribed medications for any disease you might have. And make sure the doctor changes the medication if ED is caused by any of those prescribed.

Avoid excessive alcohol (more than 2 drinks a day)

Avoid all illegal drugs

Follow doctor's guidelines if you are suffering from diabetes or kidney disease.

Lifestyle modifications are necessary for one to be healthy and one needs to have the desire to remain healthy, whatever be the stresses one is going through. It is good to know that obesity is at the bottom of most diseases and ED as well. So keeping your weight in check will give you overall health.