'I think I am suffering from erectile dysfunction'
'I am embarrassed and don’t want to approach any doctors for this'
A reader asks: I am 51-years old. I have been leading a very healthy life with my wife and two children. I have a strange problem now. I can’t make love to my wife anymore. I think I have erectile dysfunction. I am embarrassed and don’t want to approach any doctors for this.
Please let me know if there are any alternative medicines for this problem. My life has taken a drastic turn for a while now. Please advise.
Dr Dinesh Kartha, Ministry of Health Approved Naturopathic Medicine Practitioner, Chief Consultant and Managing Partner, Aura Alternative Medicine Center, Sharjah, replies: I can understand the emotional trauma you are going through. First of, all you have to make sure whether the condition is actually Erectile Dysfunction (ED) or you are assuming your condition to be ED. Erectile dysfunction is the condition where a man would not be able to have penile erection or he may not be able sustain it during intercourse. Failure in erection occasionally is not a cause of concern. But if it is persisting for a long period it can be the sign of an underlying health condition. Alternative medicine offers a wide range of treatment options to treat your condition.
Erectile Dysfunction may affect men of any age. Causes may be physical, emotional , hormonal etc. If you have any of the following health conditions try to treat them at the earliest.
- Health conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, high blood cholesterol levels, low male hormone -testosterone level.
- Neurological conditions like parkinsonism, Multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injuries.
- Thyroid gland dysfunctions
- Emotional causes play a major role in ED.
- High stress, lack of proper exercise and healthy diet, lack of rest and sleep are important causes that can aggrevate the condition.
- Use of nicotine: smoking, tobacco chewing.
- Alcoholism aggravates the condition.
- Certain medications cause low blood flow to the organ that may result in ED like antidepressants, certain antihypertensive etc. Consult your Doctor to change the medicine or dosage if you are taking any such medication.
Consult a doctor to know what exactly the condition is and you may require blood investigations and other examinations to find underlying cause.
Treatment Strategy
- Follow healthy life style and exercise regularly.
- You have to adopt healthy diet with fresh organic vegetables and fruits.
- Avoid smoking, alcohol and other narcotics.
- Ensure good communication with partner and try to resolve any issues in relation.
- If underlying health conditions are ruled out you and your partner can go for Counselling.
- Nutritional Supplements: Nutritional supplements like Aminoacid Arginine, Bioflavinoids, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Zinc, Shilajith(Mineral Pitch), Flax Seed etc has been found to be effective in treating ED. Supplementary doses of Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) can be considered if hormonal imbalance is there. These supplements should be taken under expert Naturopathic Physician only.
- Herbal Supplements: Asian Ginseng, Gingko Biloba, Gokshura (Tribulus Terrestris Lynn), Aswagandha (Withania Somnifera), Safed Musli (Asparagus Adscendens) etc. are some of the herbal supplements found to be effective in treating ED. You can consult a Naturopath or Ayurvedic Physician to know more details.
- Procedures aiming at relaxation and improving blood circulation like local and whole body massages can be done under the supervision of an expert.
- Yoga: Yoga is very helpful as it helps to relieve stress, promote healthy living and is therapeutic. There are specific Yoga Postures and practices, which can improve the blood circulation to pelvic region.
- Acupuncture: Acupuncture involves inserting fine needles into specific points of the body. This treatment system of Chinese origin has also been found to be effective in treating ED.
Disclaimer: This blog is a conversation and is not an alternative for treatment. The recommendations and suggestions offered by our panel of doctors are their own and Gulf News will not take any responsibility for the advice they provide.
