Monday, June 16, 2008

Vascular Disease can Create Complications for Men over 60 wishing to have Sex

Vascular disease is a type of problem older males can experience. It is a type of erectile dysfunction so it can definitely affect their ability to have the quality of sexual lifestyle they are interested in. With vascular disease, the arteries end up hardening. This is going to prevent enough blood from being able to flow to the penis for it to get hard at all or to get hard enough for intercourse to take place.

Approximately 60% of all men over the age of 60 who have a type of erectile dysfunction find that it is due to vascular disease. This is why men over the age of 55 are encouraged to get a screening annually. Most doctors will include it in the physical exam that they do. Yet too many males don’t see a doctor for a routine check up each year as they should. As a result, they end up with vascular disease being a problem that isn’t identified until it has already affected their ability to maintain an erection.

The research on the cases of vascular disease that have been found find some common factors. Males who smoke, have high cholesterol, or that are overweight tend to be at a higher risk. Males who have been diagnosed with diabetes or heart disease also have a higher chance of developing vascular disease as well.

In order to determine if a man is suffering from vascular disease, an assessment is completed. Generally a blood test is done which can provide the necessary information. The penis may be touched as well to determine how sensitive the nerves are in it in connection with arousal.

It is also very important for the patient to give accurate information. The assessment will ask when they last time a full erection was maintained. Many men lie about it as they don’t want to face the problem or share it with their doctor. Yet they are there to help with such issues and not being honest can prevent you from having a great sex life.

Once the vascular disease has been confirmed, the doctor can discuss the course or action to remedy it. Many men who need to make lifestyle changes such as to stop smoking or to lose weight will for sexual activity to take place. That is how important it is to them and the life they wish to engage in.

Sometimes the physical issues of vascular disease have to be treated with emotional needs too. For the male who has been dealing with it for a while, the anxiety and shame of not being able to maintain an erection can be a factor. Even if the physical issues are resolved, the mental block is still going to be there. Dealing with both factors at once gives these men the best chance of overcoming their erectile dysfunction.

Depending on the assessment, the man may be given a prescription for various types of medications to help maintain an erection. Many of them have been quite successful and they continue to improve all the time. There are also vacuum devices given that will help to pull more blood into the penis so the erection can take place.

Surgery is becoming more of a common way to treat vascular disease that has lead to erectile dysfunction as well. Many men want to go this route rather than having to use drugs or a pump to get their erections to take place. With surgery the arteries can be cleared so that the blood can naturally flow to the penis like it should. If there are veins that allow the blood to leak out they can be blocked. There are also implants that can be permanently inserted to assist a man with getting an erection.

An estimated 30 million men are affected by vascular disease right now. Finding out if you are at risk is important as it can help you to avoid being part of the statistics. Should you end up with vascular disease though there are very effective ways of treating it. Rather than giving up on sex, see a doctor who can help you find the right solution for you.

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