Could pornography be a cause of ED? Most people assume it would have the opposite effect, but recent reports have stated that pornography can indeed be a cause of erectile dysfunction.

The chemical dopamine is responsible for experiencing pleasure, including sexual pleasure. However, when the brain is overloaded with dopamine it loses the ability to respond the way it should, making people less susceptible to feeling pleasure.

Pornographic images have been around for a very long time, but with the Internet it’s possible to access triple-X material easier than ever. Watching too much porn leads to an overproduction of dopamine in the brain, causing less of a response and more dopamine required to achieve an erection.

After exposure to dopamine, the brain needs a chance to allow levels to return to normal, which can take as long as a few months

If you are having problems with ED, visit www.MichaelSKaplanMD.com for more information and to schedule a consultation.

Few men want to hear the words “erectile dysfunction” come out of their doctor’s mouth, and understandably so. But contrary to popular belief, erectile dysfunction isn’t necessarily a sexual death sentence. That being said, it isn’t something a guy should ignore either. Here are some quick facts about ED to help dispel common misconceptions:

What is It?
“ED” stands for “erectile dysfunction,” of course, but how is it diagnosed exactly? Basically, a man who cannot maintain an erection during sexual arousal should think about contacting a urologist.

Not Everyone Gets It
There’s a misconception that ED is inevitable and occurs naturally with age. This is untrue. From ages 50 to 64, roughly a third of men experience it. From ages 65-85, approximately 44% do. It’s not a necessary part of aging as a man.

Healthy Lifestyle
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle can prevent the risk of ED. This includes maintaining a healthy weight, not smoking, and limiting alcohol to two drinks or fewer a day.

Have more questions about ED? Contact Dr. Michael Kaplan at (702) 454-6226 and arrange an appointment today.

Having difficulties in the bedroom? It’s not an uncommon problem, but before you make an appointment with your doctor you might want to consider if one of these bizarre situations is a possible cause for your ED.

• Distraction and pressure

We all know that when people are under pressure they have difficulty performing up to expectations. The same goes for distraction. Well, performance in the bedroom is no different. So ditch the expectations, focus in on your girlfriend, and enjoy the moment!

• Your skin is too dry

Some research indicates that men with eczema, an autoimmune skin condition causing itchy rashes, report 60% higher rates of ED than other men. A potential cause may be that conditions that cause dry skin also affect your blood vessels and decrease blood flow to certain areas of your body. Thankfully, there are steps you can take that may ease some of these issues. For example, taking in at least 500 mg of both DHA and EPA every day, either by eating more fish or taking a fish oil supplement. Not only will it help your skin issues, it can help lower your blood pressure and decrease inflammation in your body.

• Her turning on the waterworks

Tears are a major turnoff for most men. A study published in the journal Science found that exposure to female tears reduces testosterone levels and arousal, so if your girlfriend has been crying recently, you’re much more likely to have trouble getting an erection. With this in mind, you probably want to wait a while until she calm’s down after she’s been upset.

• You’re green with envy

If your girlfriend is spending more time with your guy friends than you do, the American Journal of Sociology reports that this may correspond to your difficulties in the bedroom. Men in this situation are 92% more likely to have trouble getting an erection than guys whose significant other spends less time around his friends. Guys, if she’s spending more time with your buddies than you are, it could be be construed as a threat to your masculinity, and therefore affect your sex drive. The solution: spend more time with your friends so your girlfriend can spend more time with hers.

What do you think? Have anything to add to the list? For questions, you can always contact Dr. Michael Kaplan, Las Vegas’ leading erectile dysfunction doctor.

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When it comes to your health, you have to be sure you are aware that one little symptom could be warning you about something a little more serious. A good example of this is erectile dysfunction or ED. While ED is often considered a disease by some people, the truth is that this is simply a symptom.

If you find that you are experiencing signs of erectile dysfunction, it is important to let your physician know. This erectile dysfunction could actually be caused by high blood pressure, clogged blood vessels, diabetes, or a number of other conditions, including Parkinson’s disease. Your dysfunction is simply a warning of something more serious.

The body is certainly a mysterious thing, but anyone concerned about being healthier should start looking at the symptoms they are experiencing. If you are experiencing any signs of ED, it is important to discuss it with your doctor to determine what the cause is and how you can treat it.

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Thanksgiving is the time for getting together and feeling thankful for all the things you have. It only makes sense that you want to feel thankful for having an amazing sex life in spite of ED.

1. It is important to pay attention to your partner’s satisfaction. If your partner is sexually fulfilled, you are more likely to feel fulfilled too.

2. Even though Thanksgiving is the time to be merry, avoid drinking alcohol, as drinking can make it more difficult to maintain an erection.

3. Time your medication from your erectile dysfunction doctor correctly based on the holiday schedule.

4. Don’t get stressed out. In order to achieve an erection, you want to remain calm and collected despite the typical holiday stress.

5. Pay attention to what you are eating, and try to stick to foods lower in fat. Fatty foods can delay the reactions of medications from your urologist.

One of the possible side effects of treating prostate cancer with radiation is erectile dysfunction. A recent study evaluated an unlikely prophylactic therapy. Viagra, affectionately known as the “little blue pill,” has proven to be quite effective at improving, and possibly preventing, sexual dysfunction in men who have had radiation therapy when the drug was taken before, during and after treatment.

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The idea is based on past research conducted in animals that illustrated penile rehabilitation with a phosphodiesterase type-5 inhibitor (such as Viagra) could improve vascular function in animals with prostate cancer regardless of the type of cancer therapy used. Penile rehabilitation involves the usage of prescription medications as a preventative measure for erectile dysfunction prior to, during and after radiation. This past research also indicated that using a medication such as Viagra as a prophylactic may actually prevent erectile dysfunction as a side effect of cancer therapy.

The recent controlled and randomized study is the first one of its kind to show that penile rehabilitation was beneficial for men undergoing radiation therapy. Participants were split into two groups, one of which was given Viagra 50 mg once a day, and the other was given a placebo.

Study investigators then followed the 295 randomized men every three months for the first year and then again at 18 and 24 months respectively. The men completed the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF), the International Prostate Symptom Scale (IPSS), and a measurement of their quality-of-life at each interval.

The results showed that, at 6 and 24 months, the men who were treated with Viagra prior to starting radiation and who continued it during and after the therapy had less incidence of sexual dysfunction than men in the placebo group.

Although scientists do not fully understand why or how the drug works in this particular application, there is speculation that the drug is successful because it treats the causes of erectile dysfunction by promoting retained erections, improving vascular protection and enhancing cavernosal oxygenation, which leads to reduced cavernosal fibrosis. Neuroprotective and regenerative mechanisms are also possible reasons.

For more information on this topic contact Dr. Michael S. Kaplan, a recognized authority in the field of urology. Call (702) 454-6226 – same day appointments often available!