Articles

Erectile Dysfunction

By Pete Hueseman, RPH, PD.

About 30 million men deal with impotence, weak erections, or erectile dysfunction. These conditions can be brought on by many different health problems including age, injuries, drugs (approximately 200 common prescription drugs have this a side effect), hormonal imbalance, prostate problems, low testosterone, underlying diseases, and free-radical damage from smoking and drinking. There is also "sexual alienation syndrome," the term coined for the condition of not wanting to sleep with the partner you’re stuck with. Another factor affecting men is their vascular health, which means, if arterial plaque is extensive, the only thing that may be hardened is the arteries.

Most of the health issues mentioned evolve naturally when men reach andropause, and the symptoms could be any of the following: fatigue, depression, ache and pains, hot flashes due to low testosterone, lack of sex drive, decreased strength and endurance, and erectile dysfunction. Andropause is the "male menopause" that usually starts around the age of 50 when testosterone has had a sharp decline from earlier levels. Testosterone starts to decline at an average of 1% per year starting around 30 years of age. Also of note is that epidemiological studies have shown that low testosterone levels are associated with increased morbidity and mortality in aging men who have depression, coronary artery disease, osteoporosis, fractures frailty and dementia.

Most men with 300 to 400 ng/dL (low end to normal total testosterone levels) have normal sexual desire and function. But men who have been depleted of testosterone at levels less than 200ng/dL to 250ng/dL for months or years will likely suffer from decreased sexual desire, sexual motivation and erectile dysfunction. When men are given testosterone therapy, their sexual interest typically returns. They often have better erectile function, if no other significant intervening medical factors exist. Even men who use erectile drugs report more satisfactory erections after four to eight weeks of testosterone therapy. That is because testosterone provides nitric oxide, which enhances the effectiveness of erectile drugs.

Another possible treatment for erectile dysfunction to try would be L-arginine, an amino acid found in most protein foods that stimulates the production of nitric oxide (NO) by the endothelial cells that line the arteries. Nitrous oxide is a very potent vasodilator, which causes the smooth muscles in the blood vessels to dilate and relax, allowing blood to flow more freely and thus can help lower blood pressure. Nitrous oxide levels can be boosted by increasing your intake of arginine. Scores of studies show that arginine is highly effective in boosting endothelial function. In one study, John Cook, MD,PhD, of Stanford University, who has spearheaded much of the research on arginine, gave 43 patients with high cholesterol levels food bars containing 6.6 grams of arginine. This resulted in significant improvements in vasodilation, the ability of blood vessels to relax, increase in diameter, and improve blood flow. (1) The positive effects of arginine don’t end with the cardiovascular system. One of its better known benefits is for erectile dysfunction. (2) Arginine not only increases blood flow to the penis, but it is also directly involved in the formation of erections- nitrous oxide triggers the relaxation of the smooth muscle tissues that allow the penis to engorge with blood. Although arginine has been eclipsed by Viagra and other high potency drugs, it works in a similar and, for some men equally effective fashion. There are also reports of arginine increasing the sexual response in women, most likely because it improves blood flow to the genital area. Click here for a great timed release form of L-Arginine, called Perfusia-SR™.

Another over the counter supplement containing several ingredients targeted at helping the body increase its own natural testosterone levels is a product called Prostasixx™. The active ingredients work by either preventing the body’s conversion of its testosterone into other non-desirable hormones such as estradiol or dihydrotestosterone, or by helping the body produce or release its own testosterone.

Other prescription products that are compounded and good alternative choices, especially if a patient can NOT use Viagra, Cialis or Levitra, and that can help solve erectile dysfunction would be: Prostaglandin&Phentolamine; Progstaglandin (PGE-1); Tri-Mix formulations; Super Tri-Mix formulations(PGE-1, Papaverine,&Phentolamine); intra-urethral Tri-Mix pellets; Quad-Mix Formuations (PGE-1, Phentolamine, Papaverine,&Atropine); Testosterone sublingual tablets, gels, or injectables, DHEA T.R. Capsules, and Apomorphine 2 and 3 mg sublingual tablets.

So as you can see there are several options to treat this condition and in a safe way; so please discuss with your physician and then have your physician call prescription orders into our pharmacy. Our staff of consultant pharmacists would also be glad to evaluate your situation and work with you and your physician to customize your therapy. Please contact us at 1-800-728-0288.

References

1. Maxwell,AJ et al. Endothelial dysfunction in hypercholesterolemia is reversed by a nutritional product designed to enhance nitric oxide activity. Cardiovasc Drugs Ther. 2000; 14:309-16
2. Health and Healing; Whitaker Wellness Library, 2005