Erectile Dysfunction category

Erectile Dysfunction treatment and the NHS - forcing men to look elsewhere.

Posted: Wednesday, 14 December, 2011 | Categories: erectile dysfunction, NHS, Viagra

Regarding the purchase of erectile dysfunction treatment on the NHS, there has been an on-going debate about how restricted the accessibility is. Presently, only 2 doses are available each month however up until recently this was not the case. There were no limitations to the amount of Viagra one could purchase.

Men who can obtain erectile dysfunction treatment on the NHS are those who suffer from conditions such as diabetes, MS and prostate cancer. These are usually older men between the ages of 40 and 60 years and based on research that states men of this age have sex, once a week, the NHS have decided that 4 tablets per month would suffice.

Therefore, men are purchasing treatment from unreliable sources according to Pfizer and increasing the number of illegal sources and sites offering this prescription treatment without a valid prescription and without the knowledge of other medications the patient is taking or their medical history which might otherwise contraindicate them for treatment.
Online clinics can prescribe these drugs but one should always look out for the Care Quality Commission logo to ensure that they are getting the real thing.

Bowel Cancer and Erectile Dysfunction

Posted: Tuesday, 25 October, 2011 | Categories: erectile dysfunction, NHS, Viagra, bowel cancer, erectile dysfunction

The British Medical Journal has published a study on the treatment of erectile dysfunction in bowel cancer patients. Despite the strong link between the 2 conditions, bowel cancer patients are not receiving any information or guidance from their health care providers with the erectile problems associated with it.

38,000 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer every year and half this number of patients are surviving for more than 5 years or more after their treatment. Furthermore, the study predicts that the numbers will only increase. This increase is said to be a steady rise over the next 10 years.

Patients were interviewed and many had experienced erectile dysfunction after their bowel cancer treatment. Some of them were not informed of how to cope with the condition. None of the patients received treatment for their condition or information on treatment.

Some patients said that their doctor or nurse alluded to their age as if it meant the condition were not of consequence to those of a certain age bracket. It is shocking that individuals in such respected professions would make such ignorant assumptions.

Much more planning will go into the care offered to these cancer sufferers and treatments like that offered for prostate cancer patients will become available. Since there is a direct link between bowel cancer and erectile dysfunction, we really should be treating both conditions simultaneously.

Niacin for Erectile Dysfunction

Posted: Friday, 2 September, 2011 | Categories: erectile dysfunction, NHS, Viagra, bowel cancer, erectile dysfunction, niacin, erectile dysfunction

Niacin also known as vitamin B3 can do a lot of good for men who suffer with erectile dysfunction and who also suffer from high levels of cholesterol. The details are published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine.

80 men who participated in the study and who suffered with both mild to severe erectile dysfunction and high levels of cholesterol were reported to have noticed improvements with the maintaining of an erection while taking niacin. 80 men taking the placebo did not experience and improvement.

The men were taking a massive 1,500mg of niacin each day though and ingesting this sort of quantity, one needs to be monitored. Some specialists are saying that niacin once daily at any time of the day will suffice in order to improve the symptoms of erectile dysfunction as opposed to Viagra, Levitra and Cialis which all need to be taken in and around the hours that sexual activity is likely to occur. Much more research will need to be carried out before there is a breakthrough here.

The Male Vibrator For Erectile Dysfunction Treatment

Posted: Wednesday, 3 August, 2011 | Categories: erectile dysfunction, NHS, Viagra, bowel cancer, erectile dysfunction, niacin, erectile dysfunction, viagra

The latest in erectile dysfunction treatment comes in the form of a male vibrator. Viberject has just been approved by the Food and Drug Administration. No medication is necessary and better orgasms are guaranteed.

It is aimed at men who experience mild to moderate problems with erectile dysfunction and men who have had a prostatectomy or those who have had spinal cord injuries. The Viberject is used 7 to 10 minutes before sex and stimulates nerves around the surface of the penis.

The device priced at £300 will be launched this August. This is a cheap alternative to other erectile dysfunction treatments such as Viagra considering the device will last longer than an expensive packet of pills but it might not work for everyone.

Avanafil's Positive News

Posted: Friday, 20 May, 2011 | Categories: erectile dysfunction, NHS, Viagra, bowel cancer, erectile dysfunction, niacin, erectile dysfunction, viagra

Phase III results from the avanafil trials were announced this week and the outlook is positive. The results were presented at the 2011 Annual Meeting of the American Urological Association in Washington.
It was reported that 80% of endeavours resulted in erections suffice for intercourse. (This was all measured against the Sexual Encounter Profile and the International Index of Erectile Dysfunction).

The previously reported safety and efficacy of the drug in previous trials’ I and II were cemented by this phase III trial.
Furthermore, intercourse was possible within 15 minutes of taking the drug and the drug was well received since the number of people dropping out of the trial was very low at less than 3%. This will be due to moderate side effects and the quality of the drug’s effects.

With the market becoming increasingly competitive now that Pfizer have run out of time on their Viagra patent, newer PDE5 inhibitors with an added something like the 15 minute activation period associated with avanafil will really boost a company’s sales and popularity in a highly cut throat pharmaceutical industry. Headache, flushing and nasal congestion were among the minor side effects reported as is generally reported alongside most erectile dysfunction treatments that are already on the market. These side effects should be monitored though by the doctor who prescribed them in order to assess the effects of the drug on the patient in accordance with the medical health details collected.

Viagra Beer

Posted: Thursday, 28 April, 2011 | Categories: erectile dysfunction, NHS, Viagra, bowel cancer, erectile dysfunction, niacin, erectile dysfunction, viagra

The latest erectile dysfunction product to hit the shelves is the ‘Royal Virility Performance’ beer, brewed especially for Britain’s celebration of the Royal nuptials. This Indian Pale Ale has supposedly been laced with Viagra, horny goat weed and chocolate and supposedly three bottles will have the effects of one Viagra pill. Hmmm….

The brewers are calling their herbal aphrodisiac; ‘Viagra’ but there would not be a trace of the key ingredient sildenafil. Sildenafil is a prescription treatment for erectile dysfunction and can only be purchased after a medical consultation.
People constantly get confused with Viagra and aphrodisiacs but there is a huge difference. Aphrodisiacs might boost sex drive but Viagra and other PDE5 inhibitors do nothing of the sort. These drugs help the blood flow to the penis. The brewers herbal viagra will have a very different effect. Do not be under any illusion that the royal beer will have any more effect than a cockle.

Smoking and Impotence- What Many Smokers Do Not Know

Posted: Wednesday, 6 April, 2011 | Categories: erectile dysfunction, NHS, Viagra, bowel cancer, erectile dysfunction, niacin, erectile dysfunction, viagra, smoking

A prolific Australian writer and sex therapist has recently drawn attention once to the relationship between smoking and erectile dysfunction in young men at a time where new smoking restrictions are being put in place around the nation. This reminds us of a 2006 advertisement campaign in the UK set on manipulating young male smokers to quit. This campaign was a promising one as it set out to attack the virility of young men and blame associated problems on smoking with a tagline reading, ‘If you won’t give up smoking for your lungs, heart or throat, maybe you’ll do it for your penis. Surveys found thereafter that one in every two smokers said they would quit in order to improve their sex appeal and 88% had no idea that smoking was related to impotence. Such a campaign has not been run in Australia but perhaps now is the time.

Smoking damages the valves which allow blood to flow into the penis. Each cigarette is causing damage. Each cigarette causes fatty deposits to obstruct the flow of blood to the penis and some men have made themselves permanently impotent. Young men are the worst effected and the longer they smoke, the worse their erectile dysfunction will become.

Which Treatment should I Buy?

Posted: Tuesday, 8 February, 2011 | Categories: erectile dysfunction, NHS, Viagra, bowel cancer, erectile dysfunction, niacin, erectile dysfunction, viagra, smoking

A frequent query regarding erectile dysfunction relates to the type of erectile dysfunction treatment that a first time user should opt for. Instead of purchasing high quality products, men often go for the first sexual enhancement treatment they lay their eyes on. For those who have sought the necessary medical advice, some simply do not know which ED treatment is for them.

Of the 3 main PDE5 inhibitors, the side effects do not vary greatly, if at all. Viagra, Cialis and Levitra are popular and FDA (Food and Drug Administration) approved treatments for erectile dysfunction. PDE5 inhibitors aid blood flow into the penis to sustain an erection.

Viagra works within one hour of consumption and lasts up to four hours. Cialis takes a slightly shorter length of time to get working but the effects will last up to 36 hours. If however side effects are experienced, the half-life of Cialis indicates that such side effects can last 36 hours- as long as the treatment lasts. While trying different ED treatments, it is imperative that if taking Cialis before Viagra, one must wait 36 hours before trying Viagra.

Levitra takes effect between 30 minutes and an hour and lasts for approximately 5 hours.

These tablets should be avoided by those who have experienced any sort of cardiovascular incidences in the past unless given the all clear by their doctor. When it comes to choosing a treatment, it is often about trial and error to see which one works best for you.

Sonic Hedgehog - A New Treatment for ED?

Posted: Monday, 14 June, 2010 | Categories: erectile dysfunction, NHS, Viagra, bowel cancer, erectile dysfunction, niacin, erectile dysfunction, viagra, smoking, Erectile Dysfunction

Scientists have suggested that a new therapy could be effective in preventing erectile dysfunction after surgery for prostate cancer.
Scientists from the Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University have estimated that up to 80% of men who undergo prostate cancer surgery will lose the ability to achieve an erection. This is because the procedure often damages a critical nerve that runs along the prostate.
However, they believe that a protein called sonic hedgehog could help the damaged nerve regenerate more quickly. The protein is delivered via a nanofiber gel and is named after a video game popular in the ‘90s.
Currently sonic hedgehog has only been tested on rats and was shown to help the nerve regenerate twice as quickly than it took to mend with no medical assistance. They also believe that it could have potential to help diabetes patients, who frequently suffer from erectile dysfunction as diabetes can damage the nerves.
Professor Carol Podlasek, who is leading the study, said, “The biggest concern for many men before they undergo surgery for prostate cancer is quality of life after surgery.
“It not only affects the men undergoing surgery but also their partners. So for patients with prostate cancer, being able to have an erection and lead a normal life after treatment is very important."

Shocking New Treatment for ED

Posted: Tuesday, 24 November, 2009 | Categories: erectile dysfunction, NHS, Viagra, bowel cancer, erectile dysfunction, niacin, erectile dysfunction, viagra, smoking, Erectile Dysfunction

Treating erectile dysfunction is generally a painless process. For men who respond well to medication, they just need to get some water, pop a pill and a short while later they should be able to engage in sexual contact.
Israeli researchers however believe they have discovered a potentially permanent cure for erectile dysfunction – great, except that treatment involves electric shocks being delivered to the genital area. The team, from the neuro-urology department at Rambam Medical Centre in Israel, managed to recruit 29 men suffering from erectile dysfunction to take part in trials.
Luckily for them, however, the electric shocks were low-level intensity waves. The pressure was described as less than that exerted by a 60kg women in stiletto heels , which still doesn’t sound too pleasant but was apparently bearable.
The treatment was developed after low-level shockwaves were proved to trigger the growth of new blood vessels from existing ones in animals. The Israeli team, lead by the head of department Yoram Vardi, then speculated that the procedure could help increase blood flow to the genitals of men suffering from erectile dysfunction.
Vardi said, “Cardiovascular problems are responsible for approximately 80 percent of patients with erectile dysfunction, so that's a huge amount of patients.” He explained that the men who took part in the study, who had all experienced mild to moderate problems for three years, where chosen because their ED was related to blood flow rather than to muscle, nerve or other issues. In 15 of the men, significant improvements were reported.
The team believe that while medication can provide a temporary solution, the new treatment is exciting as it could be a permanent cure. Speaking at the European Society for Sexual Medicine conference in France they said they planned further investigations to see how long the positive effects of the treatment continued.

New Treatment for Priapism Developed

Posted: Thursday, 5 November, 2009 | Categories: erectile dysfunction, NHS, Viagra, bowel cancer, erectile dysfunction, niacin, erectile dysfunction, viagra, smoking, Erectile Dysfunction, New Treatments, Priapism

Long-lasting erections, or priapism, is often a cause for laughter and mocking but in actually can be an extremely painful and debilitating condition. While the cause of erections that last for over 4 hours is unknown, U.S researchers believe that they may have discovered a treatment.
Biochemists at the Medical School at the University of Texas have reported that in a pre-clinical study, the drug polyethylene glycol-linked adenosine deaminase helped to relieve symptoms of priapism and prevented patients from developing major complications. PEG-ADA has already been approved for human use by the FDA and is used to treat immune deficiencies.
The condition affects 40% of men with sickle cell anemia and is also associated with diabetes. Occasionally it can be a side-effect of erectile dysfunction treatments.
The team first noticed the properties of the drug when during experiments with mice they discovered that mice with high levels of a signalling molecule called adenosine were liable to spontenous erections lasting many hours.
In the latest study, they proved that in mice one of the major complications of priapism, penile fibrosis or scarring of the penis (which can lead to erectile dysfunction) was prevented through drug treatment. They also relieved the priapism itself.
In a statement, the lead scientist on the research Dr. Yang Xia said, “"We built on our earlier work, which showed that we can prevent and treat priapism in mouse models." She continued, “When we treated the mice, we do not see any side effects or any abnormality. Actually, the mice look better. We can quickly correct the priapism and prevent and treat penile fibrosis."
The team’s findings were published in the latest issue of The Faseb Journal and they are hoping to begin a clinical trial soon.

Scientist Gets Grant fo Develop New ED Treatment

Posted: Wednesday, 7 October, 2009 | Categories: erectile dysfunction, NHS, Viagra, bowel cancer, erectile dysfunction, niacin, erectile dysfunction, viagra, smoking, Erectile Dysfunction, New Treatments, Priapism, treatments

A researcher from the U.S has been awarded a grant to conduct clinical trials into a potential new treatment for erectile dysfunction. The researcher, Dr. Nestor Gonzalex-Cadavid, is already famous for his pioneering work into surgeries to treat erectile dysfunction.
Endogenous Stem Cells Activators, based in Los Angeles, have given the scientist’s company, LA BioMed, $1.2 million to see whether a medication named KRONOS IV, which has already been given approval by the FDA, could be used to reverse the aging process that can lead to impotence.
Dr Gonzalez-Cadavid’s previous surgical technique involved stem cells, which were used to rebuild penile tissue. In trials, he successfully led penile tissue in animal models to be restored through the implantation of adult stem cells taken from skeletal muscles. However the procedure is expensive and involves the difficulty of finding a stem-cell donor. He hopes that the new drug could replace the surgery.
In a press release, the scientist said that L.A BioMed appreciated ESAI’s ‘vote of confidence’. He described his research as a ‘new and promising approach’ to erectile dysfunction, but said that its application in clinics was remote as “it is invasive, restricted to the donor patient, expensive to generate and difficult to achieve approval under the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) regulations. “ He continued, “KRONOS IV is based upon a generic drug presently on the market and approved by the FDA in the treatment of a certain medical condition, making it more available and less expensive."
ESAI said that they were expecting pre-clinical results for treatment of ED with KRONOS to be ready in up to 12 months and that if they were promising, clinical trials would be launched, with the eventual aim of seeing KRONOS IV licensed as an off-label ED medication.

Acupuncture Probably Doesn't Help Erectile Dysfunction

Posted: Monday, 10 August, 2009 | Categories: erectile dysfunction, NHS, Viagra, bowel cancer, erectile dysfunction, niacin, erectile dysfunction, viagra, smoking, Erectile Dysfunction, New Treatments, Priapism, treatments, Treatments

Acupuncture is often touted as a miracle cure for everything from migraines to infertility. However a new study has indicated that the evidence that acupuncture can cure impotence is weak at best.

Previous studies had shown that the ancient Chinese procedure, where specific areas of the body are stimulated when special pins are inserted, could restore erectile function. They seemed to show that the needles increased the amount of nitric oxide in the body, known to help men achieve an erectile.

However reporting in the journal BJU International, a team from the Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine said that having evaluated the studies, there was “no convincing evidence” that acupuncture made a difference to ED.

Looking at the data from across 80 research studies, Dr Myeong Lee and her team discovered that only two were randomized control trials, the most reliable type of trial that involves two groups of patients, half of whom are given a placebo treatment.

Out of those two, one reported that the treatment was beneficial, while the other did not. There were also two other trials identified by the authors of the study, where there was no placebo group. Both those trials showed that acupuncture was beneficial for men suffering from ED.

Dr. Lee said that this showed the design of the studies was open to bias and often suggested false-positive results. She concluded that there was no definite proof that the treatment worked and called for “more rigorous trials.”

Tragic Death of Boy Linked to ED Meds

Posted: Tuesday, 4 August, 2009 | Categories: erectile dysfunction, NHS, Viagra, bowel cancer, erectile dysfunction, niacin, erectile dysfunction, viagra, smoking, Erectile Dysfunction, New Treatments, Priapism, treatments, Treatments

Mystery surrounds the tragic death of a Californian teenager who died at a party after it was discovered that he had high levels of the erectile dysfunction medication papaverine in his system. The inquest into Joseph Loudon’s death on the 23rd of May revealed that though he died from choking on his own vomit, the boy’s fit of nausea was caused by the combination of alcohol and the erectile dysfunction medication. The San Francisco chronicle reported that though Joseph had a low level of alcohol in his blood, the prescription medication was in his system.

Bill Loudon, Joseph’s father, said he had no idea why his son had such high amounts of papaverine in his blood stream. He said that neither he nor the boy’s mother kept the drug in their houses.

Papaverine treats a number of conditions but is particularly known as the ‘ED injection.’ Unlike the most popular erectile dysfunction medications Viagra, Cialis and Levitra, which are taken as tablets, the drug is injected directly into the penis to help the use achieve an erection. It is part of a group of medicines called vasodilators, which cause the blood vessels to expand. When injected into the penis the drug increases blood flow allowing an erection to be achieved.
While reports of people using Viagra recreationally are fairly common – the phenomenon even was featured on the TV show Sex and the City, where Kim Cattrall’s character was shown popping the blue pill - recreational use of papaverine is almost unheard of.

The boy’s mother, Marianne Payne, has said that she is not satisfied with the coroner’s inquest and has demanded there be further investigation. She believes that her son may have been drugged but a letter written to the police in charge of the investigation has apparently not yet been responded to.