The Evolution of Erectile Dysfunction Drugs since Viagra

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The Evolution of Erectile Dysfunction Drugs since Viagra
Introduction
Erectile dysfunction is the repeated condition where a male is not able to develop or maintain an erection firm enough for sexual intercourse. It is caused by both psychological and physiological factors. However, this condition is always treatable with drugs. ED as is commonly known varies in severity. For some men, it is a total inability to achieve an erection. Others have inconsistent ability to achieve one while others can only sustain brief erections. These variations make defining the condition and estimating its incidence difficult. Many men find it difficult and embarrassing to discuss their condition and thus the conditioned is under-diagnosed. Erectile dysfunction can occur at any age but is common among elderly men.
Causes
Erectile dysfunction occurs when there is a disruption in the normal erection process. The sequence of events includes nerve impulses in the brain, spinal column and the area around the penis and subsequent response is in the muscles, fibrous tissues, veins, and arteries and near the corpora cavernosa. The common cause of erectile dysfunction is damage to nerves, arteries, smooth muscles and fibrous tissues sometimes due to diseases like diabetes, kidney disease, and vascular disease among others (Jared 10). Obesity, smoking and excessive alcohol intake as well as stress and anxiety can also cause erectile dysfunction. In addition, some medications can produce erectile dysfunction as a side-effect for example, blood pressure drugs, tranquillizers and appetite suppressants among others.
Surgery can also lead to damage of nerves, veins and arteries that may result in erectile dysfunction.
Treatment
ED is however treatable at any age. Some men just need a change in their lifestyle like quitting smoking and excessive alcohol drinking as well as exercising and losing excessive weight. If the condition is a side effect of a medication, one is required to inform the doctor so that he is issued with a different class of the same medication. Psychotherapy and counseling can also help in treating the condition if the cause is due to psychological factors like stress, depression, anxiety, low self- esteem, fear of failure etcetera (FDA.gov 2010). The other mode of treatment is drug therapy. Drugs for treating erectile dysfunction can be taken orally, injected directly into the penis or inserted into the urethra at the tip of the penis.
Viagra (sildenafil)
The food and drug administration approved Viagra in March 1998, the first pill to treat erectile dysfunction. Viagra belongs to a class of drugs called phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitors. These drugs work by enhancing th...