Other than the emotional effects ED also has physical effects on a woman. Experts opine that penetration makes a twenty-five percent contribution towards a woman-reaching climax. Therefore when a man secures treatment for ED to get a sustained erection while having sex it makes the woman perform much better in bed while enjoying the act.

A study published recently in the New England Journal of Sexual Medicine reveals that there exists a definite co-relation between consistent and significant improvement of women’s sexual functions and the erectile function improvements gained by men through ED treatment. What is important to know is that no treatment was given to any of the women in the study yet there was a change in their physiology. Dr. Irwin Goldstein, director of San Diego Sexual Medicine and lead author of the study says this is the first ever data showing changes in arousal, lubrication and orgasm in an untreated individual. What comes through the results of this landmark research with clarity is that the physiological changes in the sexual functions of one partner to a marriage i.e. the ‘treated’ man has a direct link to the sexual functions of the other ‘untreated’ partner to the marriage i.e. the woman. This clearly shows that ED affects both partners and provides a potential reason why it should not be left untreated. Sex is not dirty but essential and basic to sustaining a marriage. It has a tremendous impact on the quality of marital life, which is why fixing erectile dysfunction can be crucial to your marriage.

However, if you suffer from ED there is no reason to be unduly alarmed, just start taking remedial measures by changing to a more active lifestyle and taking vitamins and supplements proven to help in erectile dysfunction.

Here are a few of ED vitamins that possess proven efficacy.

Vitamin C – A daily intake of 1000 mgs of vitamin C thrice a day is best for reducing blood cholesterol. This works very well in ED cases that are due to poor blood circulation.

Vitamin E – The daily-recommended dose of Vitamin E is 400 IUs. An antioxidant, this is a wonderful choice in supplements and is proven to work in ED.

Inositol hexaniacinate – This supplement has been shown to cause improvement in blood circulation while lowering cholesterol level at the same time. The daily recommended dosage is 1000 to 3000 mg. However, it is not recommended for diabetics.

Zinc is another supplement worth considering. It is a major constituent of semen. Zinc is also present in the prostrate gland and is required for its healthy functioning. The daily dosage is recommended at 30mgs. Oysters are a rich source of zinc.

B complex vitamins are important for several functions in the human body, which include metabolism, blood circulation, hormonal functioning, stamina and healthy nerves. ED sufferers are usually found to be deficient in B complex vitamins therefore supplementing B Complex vitamins can prove very fruitful.

L-Arginine is an amino acid that leads to the creation of nitric oxide gas in the body. This gas causes the smooth muscles to relax and dilates the arteries for increased blood flow to the penis to cause an erection.

Horny Goat Weed is a herb which works in the same way as the prescription drug Viagra, though to a lesser degree, by relaxing smooth muscles and increasing the blood supply through inhibiting PDE-5 which is an enzyme that breaks down nitric oxide.

Other herbal vitamins and supplements include biloba, gingko, yohimbine, pygeum, muira puama and ginseng. These are all proven vitamins for erectile dysfunction. Where to find them is not at all difficult. You just need to search on the Internet.

Once you have opened the conversation this way you have done your part by addressing the issue. Now be prepared to answer correctly and openly to the questions your doctor may put. Many of them may appear unrelated to ED but rest assured your doctor has a reason for asking these question because every answer will provide him with clues to your diagnosis and line of treatment. He may want to know since when you have been facing the problem, whether you suffer from diabetes, hypertension, cardiac problems or any other health issues along with the medications you are presently taking for any ailment.

Other than this he would also like to check up on the psychological aspect and ask you about your marital relationship, any stress situations you are facing in other spheres of your life as also about habits related to your lifestyle e.g. drinking, smoking and substance abuse. The answers you will provide to these questions will guide your physician about other questions that he needs to ask.

You must feel absolutely comfortable during the conversation. If you find some questions disturbing, be straightforward and ask for reasons why the question is being asked. This can let you gain more knowledge about ED.

Most important is to let your doctor know of your own views on ED and its treatment. If you have tried any therapies earlier that were not effective tell your doctor everything about it. Similarly if there are other treatment methods and therapies that you know about but would not be interested in trying make sure to let him know of this also. Ask about available prescription drugs, vitamins and supplements and other newer options in treatment that are available and how suitable can they be in your case.

There are several prescription drugs for erectile dysfunction. Ask your doctor which one would be best for you.

In the past, erectile dysfunction was called impotence. In reality, impotence comes in many forms and caused by many factors and erectile dysfunction is one of them. Today, in medical discussions, the term erectile dysfunction is used just to distinguish the conditions from other problems that are related to impotence.

An erection is brought by sensory or mental stimulations or combinations of both. Brain impulses cause the nerves and muscles in the penis to relax, which allows blood to flow and fill the spaces. At this point, the blood creates pressure that causes the corposa cavernosa or the penis to expand; thereby sustaining erection by trapping the blood in the corpora cavernosa. Hence, the process of achieving and maintaining erection follows a precise sequence of stimulation and body responses involving the brain, spinal column and the area around the penis. It also involves the responses in muscles, fibrous tissues, veins and arteries near the corpora cavernosa. Once the sequence becomes disrupted, a person might suffer from maintaining or achieving an erection.

Understandably, damage to the nerves, arteries, muscles and fibrous tissues, which are usually caused by other medical conditions, causes ED. Men suffering from diabetes, kidney diseases, multiple sclerosis, atherosclerosis, vascular disease and neurological condition have high risk of having ED. Also, lifestyle choices may lower or increase the risk of ED. Chronic alcoholism, obesity and poor diet (lack of nutrition) is possible to cause this medical condition. In older men, ED may be brought by the side effects of certain medications. Since they are much slower to recuperate from injuries or diseases, they are subject to suffer from this condition since ED is not an inevitable part of aging. Actually, the incidence of ED increases with age: 5% for 40-year old men, 15-25% for 66 years and older.

On the other hand, ED may also be brought by psychological factors. Since brain stimulation and neurological bodily processes are involved in achieving and maintaining erection, many psychological factors are also involved in ED. These factors greatly affect the gradual development of intimacy and stimulation. For instance, sexual anxiety can greatly affect a man’s ability to maintain an erection. While it affects men’s sexual performance, this form of anxiety degrades self-confidence, causing depression and serious self-image issues. Understandably, men suffer varying levels of frustrations due to the inability to get “that stubborn thing” up. Thankfully, many forms of psychotherapy have been devised to manage other causes of ED.

The thing about erectile dysfunction is that it is curable. It has many options for treatment. Thanks to the applications of modern science, many drugs such as Viagra have been made available to offer convenience in fixing the problem. Sex therapy and other forms of psychotherapy have become more and more acceptable in many societies. Surgeries, implants or the use of vacuum devices have shown hope in fixing this medical condition.

Not only does ED touch issues on impotence, it is primarily involved in men’s issues regarding self image since male machismo usually surrounds sexual performance or sexuality, which is often gauged by how well an erection is achieved and maintained. In these cases, a sex therapy may be helpful in facing the realities of ED, without ruining one’s confidence and self-image.

Sex therapy is a form of psychological counseling that is facilitated by a sex therapist. It primarily focuses in promoting effective sexual communication and techniques in improving sexual function. During the sessions, the therapist may introduce the patient to books that will educate him about ED. The therapy may involve touching exercises, which are designed to take away the pressure to perform during sexual intercourse. In encouraging the patient to accept and deal with the realities of his condition, the therapy aims to teach the patient how to practice or enhance sexual communication skills, for him to regain confidence in his sexuality and ability to perform.

The therapy also considers the results of the patient’s physical examinations to design a therapy that will be most effective in his condition. For instance, if the patient has a demanding job, sex therapy is ideal in treating ED that is caused by life’s stresses such as worries at work, conflicts in relationship and poor sexual communication. In a way, it even optimizes the results of other types of ED treatments.

If a man suffering from ED decides to give surgery a go, sex therapy could help ensure full recovery. Sexual counseling will enable him and his partner to accept the realities of his condition or the treatments that he needs to take to fix the problem. Sex therapy is more effective is a man’s sexual partner is willing to be part of the treatment, with a 50 to 70% success rate. His way, the therapist will be more effective in bringing light to the situations that ED brings to a couple’s life.

If a person wants to be free from ED, he must complete the recommended number of sessions of sex therapy. This form of erectile dysfunction treatment is only effective when the patient is committed to whatever the treatment requires. It takes weeks or months of sessions for a sex therapy to be effective. The length of time that the treatment requires depends on the patient’s progress, which is gauged in every session. Sometimes, it may be combined with other forms of treatment. Talking to a counselor can help keep the patients motivated in going through every form of treatment that he takes to cure erectile dysfunction.

Men who already suffer from stress-related health problems as in hypertension, diabetes, injuries and other medical conditions have an increased risk of having ED. However, it may also be caused by psychological problems such as anxiety disorder and depression. However, the most common cases of ED are that stemming from alcohol. Behavioral problems such as alcoholism have a direct relation to the occurrence of ED.

Alcohol has long been determined as a risk factor for erectile dysfunction. A number of medical literatures and articles have been published; discussing the risk factors that alcohol intake brings to ED cases. While alcohol intoxication increases sexual desire,  various levels of alcohol intake were found to inhibit sexual performance, and that includes the ability to get and maintain and erection that is form enough to sustain sexual intercourse. Alcohol is a depressant. Understandably, it affects the sequence of brain stimulations, which initiates the process of getting and maintaining an erection.

A person’s nervous system is very much involved in his body’s sexual activities. At certain levels of alcohol intake, a person may enhance his sexual desires. However, continual drinking already inhibits his capacity and ability to perform. Once alcohol gets into the body, it causes the blood vessels in the penis to dilate or expand. Although an erection is already achieved in this stage, the blood vessels will remain open, causing the blood to drain out more quickly. In effect, the penis returns to its relaxed state, making sexual intercourse impossible or difficult if not entirely ineffective.

ED surely is a debilitating problem in a man’s sexual life of love life. The great thing is that this form of impotence is curable. While most suffering from ED have no control of the causes of their condition, alcoholism is very much manageable. ED stemming from alcohol is rather self-inflicted, which means that it only takes a lifestyle change resolve the problem. Consult a doctor regarding your alcohol intake and ED. To prevent further impairment, he may advise you to take some medications that may be in combination with counseling regarding your alcohol intake. Remember that alcohol is a toxin that can stay for hours inside your body after consumption.

Lifestyle changes is an important aspect of being free from ED. Maintaining healthy lifestyle can strip a person of the problems that erectile dysfunction causes, making it manageable and avoidable. Remember that alcoholism not only affects the reproductive aspects of your body, it even causes more serious problems to other body system. Regulating alcohol intake not only promotes great sex life but overall well-being.