menwomenhealthtoday.com

Men are notorious for not going to the doctor. Whether they think they can simply tough it out or they prefer to avoid an uncomfortable conversation about their health, men tend to visit their physician only under extreme circumstances. But advances in erectile dysfunction (ED) treatment options over the last 10 years have had the added benefit of encouraging men to see their doctors.

Advances in Men’s Health
This positive change is perhaps most apparent when it comes to men’s sexual health. One example is the once-taboo area of ED, which is more common than many people think: ED affects up to 30 million men in the United States.

What a Difference a Decade Makes
Before the availability of oral medications for ED, treatment options for men with this condition were limited to injections or suppositories. But that all changed 10 years ago with the introduction of Viagra (sildenafil citrate) tablets, the first oral prescription pill for the treatment of ED, which opened the door for millions of men with ED to seek treatment for the condition.

“The older treatments for erectile dysfunction were not particularly pleasant to use, so a lot of men were reluctant to try them. But the availability of an oral pill made the treatment of ED a much more practical option,” says Dr. Steven Lamm, a New York City physician and bestselling author of “The Hardness Factor.” “Viagra revolutionized the way men to talk to their doctors about ED symptoms and seek treatment. Because of Viagra, today men with ED have the opportunity to enjoy a more satisfying sexual experience.”

In the 10 years since its approval, Viagra has helped 25 million men with ED and continues to be the most prescribed oral ED treatment. What’s more, Viagra’s safety and effectiveness for the treatment of ED have been demonstrated in 120 clinical trials involving 16,000 patients, according to Pfizer, Viagra‘s manufacturer. Even today, Pfizer continues its ongoing support of research and education in sexual health.

Opening Doors to Lifelong Health
As the “ED conversation” brings more men to the doctor’s office, physicians say this visit is an opportunity to talk to men about other important areas of their health, too, such as heart health. The development of ED is as predictive of an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes as a family history of heart attack, cigarette smoking or elevated cholesterol, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Another analysis showed that almost 90 percent of men with ED were at risk for heart problems because of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes or smoking. So talking to doctors about ED can inspire conversations about addressing a broad range of health concerns.

“More men are visiting their doctor and taking control of their sexual health. This is often the first step in learning about additional health concerns prevalent among men,” comments Dr. Lamm. “The conversation may start with ED, but this visit really lets us talk to our patients about many issues that contribute to overall health, happiness and well-being.”

Additional Health Concerns for Men
One top concern men should discuss with their physicians is cardiovascular disease. According to the American Heart Association, one in three adult men has some form of cardiovascular disease. Keeping an eye on blood pressure and cholesterol levels is one simple way to help ensure a healthy heart.

Diabetes is another important health concern that becomes more common with age, but it can be detected with regular medical checkups. Some risk factors for the disease can be controlled, like being overweight or physically inactive, smoking or having high blood pressure and/or high cholesterol, so it is important for men to discuss these risks with their doctors.