Erectile Dysfunction
Dr. Richter has a Doctorate of Naturopathic Medicine (ND), and a Bachelor’s degree in Herbal Sciences from Bastyr University, the leading institution in Natural Medicine. Dr. Richter is currently the Vice President for the Washington Association of Naturopathic Physicians, formerly the Treasurer, and sits as the chair of... more
What every man should know…by Teresa Richter, ND
What is Erectile Dysfunction (ED)? ED is a common condition that affects many men. It’s the inability to get or keep an erection firm enough to have sex. While it may be embarrassing when this situation arises, it is important to not ignore it. It may not be a cause for concern if it happens occasionally. However, if it happens regularly it needs to be discussed with your doctor since it could be a sign of various health conditions such as cardiovascular disease.
What causes ED? Some common causes are stress, fatigue, hormone imbalance like testosterone levels, obesity, cholesterol levels, smoking, diabetes, general health, and medication side effects. ED can be a complex blend of a few different factors related to emotional or mental health such as depression, anxiety, or stress.
Important factors to consider: When it comes to looking at ED the most important thing to consider is cardiovascular health and genetic risk factors.
Equally important is testosterone levels and stress reduction.
Talk to your doctor and have an assessment to see if you have clogged arteries. The arteries in the penis are small. If, they are clogged with plaque chances are so are your arteries in the heart.
What can you do about it? Talk to your doctor so they can evaluate your health and determine what factors may be contributing to the issue. This is a difficult situation for many men to discuss. In most cases, some lifestyle changes, and testosterone therapy can do the trick, in other cases, there are ED medications available such as Cialis and Viagra. Before taking any medications for ED, it is important to have your cardiovascular health evaluated because it could be masking a more significant issue.
