Erectile Dysfunction (ED) is the inability of a man to attain or maintain a firm erection for sexual intercourse.
Physical and physiological factors such as Diabetes, Hypertension, certain medications, Anxiety, stress, smoking, etc., can all lead to ED.
Despite not being the most common cause of Erectile Dysfunction, nerve damage can still be a cause for concern.
Your nerves must be functioning correctly to attain and sustain an erection.
In this article, we will cover the symptoms, causes and effective of nerve damage Erectile Dysfunction treatment methods.
What is nerve damage Erectile Dysfunction
Nerve damage Erectile Dysfunction, also known as Neurogenic Erectile Dysfunction, is a disorder in which nerve function is defective or insufficient.
This, in turn, interferes with the ability to produce or sustain an erection sufficient for sexual engagement.
Sexual stimulation causes neurons to produce chemicals that boost blood flow into the erection chambers of the penis.
The penis gets stiff and causes an erection when the blood pressure within these chambers rises.
Nerve damage can disrupt this mechanism, resulting in Erectile Dysfunction.
Erectile Dysfunction nerve damage symptoms
When nerve injury is the root cause of Erectile Dysfunction, you may suffer symptoms linked to nerve damage and difficulty getting or maintaining an erection.
These symptoms, however, may differ from person to person.
The probable symptoms of Erectile Dysfunction brought on by nerve injury include the following:
- Difficulty in obtaining an erection
- Difficulty sustaining an erection, or a weak erection
- Reduced sensitivity
- Reduced sexual desire (low libido)
Causes of Erectile Dysfunction due to nerve damage
Source: Valentine_SuprunovichCertain medical disorders, traumas, or pelvic surgery can cause nerve damage in the penis.
This may restrict spinal cord nerve impulses from reaching the penis.
Causes of nerve damage Erectile Dysfunction include peripheral neuropathy, autonomic neuropathy, spinal cord injury, and pelvic surgery.
However, medical conditions such as Epilepsy, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, and Diabetes can also lead to nerve damage ED.
Peripheral neuropathy damages the peripheral nerves, which are in charge of transmitting signals from the brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body.
Autonomic neuropathy affects the nerves that control involuntary body activities, such as regulating penile blood flow.
Damage to these nerves might disrupt the physiological stages of getting an erection.
Spinal cord injury can interrupt nerve signal transmission between the brain and the penis, resulting in Erectile Dysfunction.
The extent of ED might vary depending on the severity and intensity of the spinal cord damage.
Pelvic area surgery can occasionally cause nerve damage that impairs erectile function. These include prostate or bladder surgery or Colorectal cancer.
As a result of this, one may experience temporary or sudden Erectile Dysfunction.
Diabetes is a chronic disease that can gradually cause damage to nerves and blood vessels.
Diabetic neuropathy can harm the nerves responsible for getting and maintaining an erection, resulting in ED.
Epilepsy: Some epileptic males experience Erectile Dysfunction.
Researchers believe this is due to epileptic discharges, which impact the levels of sex hormones, including testosterone and Prolactin, involved in sexual desire and erections.
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a central nervous system disorder that causes permanent nerve damage.
This nerve injury might eventually lead to Erectile Dysfunction.
Medication used to treat MS symptoms may also contribute to ED.
Parkinson’s disease, a degenerative neurological system condition, can lead to Erectile Dysfunction.
Men with Parkinson’s disease frequently experience various sexual difficulties, such as decreased sexual sensation and trouble attaining orgasm.
Erectile Dysfunction is not only brought on by damage to the nerves.
Other factors, including psychological problems, hormone imbalances, underlying medical diseases, and certain drugs can also cause Erectile Dysfunction.
What nerves control erectile function?
A complicated interaction between the neurological system, blood vessels, hormones, and psychological factors regulates erectile function.
According to a report published by NIH, the autonomic nervous system control penile erection.
Getting and sustaining an erection involves sensory, parasympathetic, sympathetic, and pelvic nerves.
These nerves work together to enable the physiological process of generating and maintaining an erection.
Any harm or malfunction to these nerve cells can prevent the normal working of erectile response, which can result in Erectile Dysfunction.
How to diagnose nerve damage Erectile Dysfunction
A thorough medical examination by a healthcare practitioner is often required to diagnose nerve injury as the root cause of Erectile Dysfunction.
A doctor may review your medical history and run several tests to determine if nerve damage is the root cause of your ED.
Medical history
Your doctor will probably begin by talking to you about your Erectile Dysfunction symptoms, and medical background.
He may assess any conditions that put you at risk for nerve damage, such as Diabetes, Multiple Sclerosis, or spinal cord injuries.
Physical examination
Your body’s general health, including the condition of your nerves, blood vessels, and genitalia, may be evaluated during a physical exam.
Blood testing
Blood tests can help uncover underlying medical issues, including Diabetes, hormone imbalances, or low testosterone levels that may be a factor in ED.
Neurological evaluation
A neurological evaluation may be performed to determine how well the nerves are functioning. Reflexes, sensations, and your muscles’ strength and coordination may be tested throughout this process.
Imaging tests
The nerves and blood arteries in the pelvic region may occasionally be examined using imaging procedures like Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) or ultrasound.
Specialized tests
Additional tests may be required to evaluate nerve function and spot any particular nerve injury, such as nerve conduction studies or electromyography (EMG).
Is nerve damage Erectile Dysfunction treatable
Yes. Nerve damage-induced ED can be treated effectively.
Treatment options for Erectile Dysfunction brought on by nerve injury vary on the underlying cause and the extent of the nerve damage.
Although nerve damage may not always be reversible, various treatment methods can help regulate and enhance penile function.
Nerve damage Erectile Dysfunction treatment
The treatment methods for Erectile Dysfunction caused by nerve injury attempt to address the underlying cause and enhance erectile function.
While nerve damage-induced ED can be challenging to treat, numerous treatments may help control the condition.
Contacting a healthcare expert for an accurate diagnosis and deciding the best treatment choices for your particular situation is essential.
Oral medicines, vacuum pumps, penile implants, and intracavernosal injections are effective methodologies for treating some nerve damage-induced ED.
Here are the potential therapies for nerve damage-induced Erectile Dysfunction in detail:
Oral medications
PDE5 inhibitors, including Sildenafil (Viagra), Tadalafil (Cialis), and Vardenafil (Levitra), are widely given for ED.
These Erectile Dysfunction medicines boost the effects of Nitric Oxide that relaxes the penile smooth muscles.
This, in turn, increase greater blood flow to the penis, enabling an erection.
While these medicines do not directly address nerve injury, they can enhance erectile performance by boosting blood flow to the penis.
Intracavernosal injections
A Prostaglandin E1 medication called Alprostadil can be injected straight into the base of the penis.
This medication relaxes the smooth muscles and blood vessels.
Thus increasing blood flow and promoting erections.
Intracavernosal injections can relax the blocked nerve pathways.
Thus they can be an effective therapy for nerve damage-induced ED.
Vacuum erection devices (VED)
A vacuum erection device is a non-invasive device that pulls blood into the penis to cause an erection.
Once the erection is obtained, a constriction ring is placed at the penis’s base to maintain the erection.
VEDs, which do not rely on nerve impulses for stimulation, can be helpful for men with nerve damage-induced ED.
Penile implants
Penile implants may be explored for severe cases of nerve damage-induced ED that do not respond to other therapies.
These surgical implants are inserted into the penis to create stiffness and, if required, an erection.
Conclusion
Erectile Dysfunction (ED) can be caused by nerve injury.
Nerves are essential in the process of obtaining and sustaining an erection.
Damage to the nerves involved in the erectile response can impair signal transmission, making it harder to achieve or sustain a firm erection.
Peripheral neuropathy, autonomic neuropathy, spinal cord injury, pelvic surgery, Diabetes, Epilepsy, Multiple Sclerosis, and Parkinson’s disease can all lead to nerve damage in ED.
However, nerve damage Erectile Dysfunction can be cured with proper diagnosis and effective treatment such as medicines, vacuum devices, and penile implants.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Erectile Dysfunction due to nerve damage be cured?
Yes. Medication is often used to treat neurological ED situations.
Men with ED brought on by Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, and other conditions are frequently administered common ED medicines like Sildenafil and Tadalafil.
Yes. Medication is often used to treat neurological ED situations.
Men with ED brought on by Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, and other conditions are frequently administered common ED medicines like Sildenafil and Tadalafil.
Yes. ED has a variety of neurological (nerve) causes.
Erectile Dysfunction can be brought on by Diabetes, Multiple Sclerosis, spinal cord and nerve trauma, and nerve damage following pelvic surgeries.
What nerve causes Erectile Dysfunction?
Several nerves, such as sensory, parasympathetic, sympathetic, and pelvic, achieve and maintain an erection.
Any damage to any of these nerves can lead to ED.
How do you treat Erectile Dysfunction from nerve damage?
Many cases of nerve damage-induced ED can be treated with medications such as Sildenafil and Tadalafil.
In several other cases, intracavernosal injections, vacuum erection devices, penile implants, and surgery could be an option.
What are the symptoms of neurogenic ED?
The symptoms of neurogenic ED may vary among individuals.
The most common symptoms include low libido, difficulty getting and maintaining an erection, reduced sensitivity, and decreased sex drive.
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