Experiencing erectile dysfunction is a stressful, frustrating, and frightening experience for men of any age. Usually caused by a condition that produces a blockage in the penile artery, ED could be an early sign of heart disease. If you’re a male currently living in Wales, know that you have a lot of options to mitigate ED in the short and long term.
Is ED Treatment Accessible in Wales?
Treatment for ED in Wales is incredibly accessible. In fact, many incredible breakthroughs and operations were first performed in Welsh hospitals. An operation first issued in 2010 involves inserting a stent into the main artery of the penis, which treated nearly 30% of patients with the condition, mostly those who developed it due to high blood pressure.
After diagnosis, there are multiple treatment options available, and the majority of doctors in Wales will guide you through diagnosis and treatment. Your GD and/or specialist will teach you to handle this condition in the short term (by prescribing medications like sildenafil citrate tablets) and in the long term through diet and exercise.
How to Get Diagnosed and Receive Treatment in Wales
A general practitioner can usually diagnose ED without a specialist, but it may be required if an underlying condition is involved. In the case of stress or depression, the doctor will screen you for possible psychological causes. However, a physical exam that includes a blood test, urine test, and ultrasound will occur to narrow down that reason why you’re experiencing ED.
A blood test will determine if heart disease, diabetes, low testosterone, or other causes are present. A urine test is better at identifying if diabetes is the cause. In extreme circumstances, an ultrasound will be conducted in combination with an injection that will stimulate blood flow to the penis to produce an erection.
Short Term Treatment
Oral medications like sildenafil, tadalafil, vardenafil, and avanafil all enhance the effects of nitric oxide – a natural chemical that relaxes the muscles in the penis. This helps to increase blood flow and helps its users get an erection in response to sexual stimulation.
Keep in mind that these pills won’t automatically produce an erection as sexual stimulation is needed for the release of nitric oxide to occur. Make sure to get an OK from your doctor before taking any medication because they could be dangerous to take if you have low blood pressure, have had heart failure in the past, or take other nitrate drugs.
Injecting alprostadil or inserting one in the penis is also an effective ED treatment. In these instances, erections don’t last longer than an hour, whereas oral medications can make it last 4 hours.
If medication isn’t effective, your doctor may advise a penis pump. These are placed over the penis and create a vacuum that pulls blood into the area. After producing an erection, you can slip the tension ring over the base.
Finally, penile implants are another possibility for those in extreme circumstances. These implants consist of inflatable or malleable rods that allow you to control when and how long you wish to have an erection.
Long Term Treatment
One of the most effective ways to cure ED long term is through proper diet and exercise in most cases. Since ED is common for men who are at risk of a heart attack, it’s in your best interest to reduce the amount of cholesterol you eat on a daily basis.
However, exercise actually has more of an impact on ED than diet appears to, according to data. Less strenuous, regular exercise will likely reduce the risk or erectile dysfunction or at least improve the likelihood a man will have an erection after sexual stimulation. Discuss long term treatment with your doctor to improve your overall health.
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