Understanding Sexual Dysfunction and Parkinson’s Disease

Although those who suffer from Parkinson’s disease are prone to sexual dysfunction, many authorities believe poor sexual health is not always a side effect of the disease.

While cases of Parkinson’s Disease severely affect the central nervous system and therefore affect the ability to obtain an erection, studies are finding that biological causes are not always the most accurate.

Parkinson’s Disease negatively affects the nervous system and therefore affects a man’s ability to obtain or retain an erection, can jeopardize blood flow to the penis, and causes rigidity and pain also experienced during sexual encounters.  Depression is also a side effect seen in patients with Parkinson’s Disease,but may be  caused more by the fear and anxiety of being diagnosed with the disease.

Because many patients experience depression after a  diagnosis, doctors will usually suggest an anti-depressant to help manage the depression.  In most cases, however, anti-depressants can be a primary cause of sexual dysfunction.

This is why it’s important to speak with your doctor about appropriate or alternative options for your sexual health concerns, if diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease or Clinical Depression..

Problems with erectile dysfunction?  You may want to contact Boston Medical Group to explore treatment.

Sexual Dysfunction in Obese Men Reverseable?

Dr. Ramsey M. Dallal, from Albert Einstein Healthcare Network, Philadelphia, and colleagues may have found the key to regaining sexual function in obese men.

While there are serious health complications in men undergoing surgical weight loss procedures, Dallal  nonetheless offers evidence supporting the conclusion that sexual function loss in obese men can be reversed after having gastric bypass surgery.

Of the 97 obese men experiencing sexual dysfunction due to obesity, 100% of them saw improved function following gastric bypass surgery.

After losing an average of two-thirds of their excess weight, men experienced improved sexual function in direct correlation with amount of weight lost. Dallal and colleagues “estimate that a man who is morbidly obese has the same degree of sexual dysfunction as a non-obese man about 20 years older.”

After recovering from gastric bypass surgery, men show signs of improved sexual health in line with the average male in their age bracket.

Dallal recognizes sexual function as a reversible condition and also plans to explore the female connection between obesity and sexual health.

Do I Have Erectile Dysfunction?

It was once thought that erectile dysfunction was purely a psychological problem in the realm of men’s sexual health.  However, as technology advances, experts are finding scientific evidence that suggests erectile dysfunction is also biologically-based.

It is not uncommon for men to ejaculate sooner than they or their partner would like, although if the problem persists and begins to increase in frequency, it is possible that erectile dysfunction is occurring.

What to look for:

• Premature ejaculation occurs in a majority of your sexual encounters
• It causes stress or unusual concern
• Your sex-life was fine and now it is not
• You ejaculate before or shortly after intercourse begins
• You have difficulty maintaining an erection

Psychological causes include but are not limited to:

• Being in a  situation where you are hurrying
• Feelings of guilt that drive the need to rush during intercourse

While erectile dysfunction is sometimes caused by psychological distress, studies show that there are a number of biological components.

• Low hormone levels
• Abnormal levels of neurotransmitters
• Inflammation of the prostate or urethra
• Thyroid issues
• Nervous system problem caused by trauma or surgery.
• Narcotic withdrawal  and certain Anti-Anxiety medications.

For more information on how to treat erectile dysfunction visit the Boston Medical Group website.

Insecure About Sexual Performance? You’re Not Alone.

Independent market research company OnePoll recently questioned 2,000 men between the ages of 16 and 65 about their place in society.  Half of the respondents claimed to be unsatisfied with their position in society and their personal sexual performance.

Former GP and trustee of the Sexual Dysfunction Association, Dr John Tomlinson, said that an ‘enormous’ number of 18- to 40-year-olds were concerned about sexual problems.  He continued to suggest that advertisements including well-toned, physically flawless celebrities elicit a negative self-image in men.

Only 11% of 40-year-old men said their confidence is higher now than when they were younger.  One in three of those men said when they go out to meet women they consume alcohol to boost their confidence.

One in four respondents claimed inadequacy in the bedroom because of TV shows like “Sex and The City” where ideal men are those with immense stamina and a perfect build.

“Men are more likely than women to have fragile self-esteem, as they judge their status in society through success in a single sphere, such as their career, the size of their pay packet or the model of their car,” said British Psychologist, David Sharpley. Also, because men in general do not spend a lot of time in introspection or communicating their concerns, they often let health issues go untreated.

Sudden Memory Loss A Possible Side-Effect of ED Drugs

Revisions to Erectile Dysfunction drug labels have recently been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to include sudden memory loss as a side effect in users. Label changes are made necessary when multiple users have reported the same symptoms after taking the drug.

The condition, “transient global amnesia,” is temporary memory loss commonly seen in neurological conditions caused by head injury or epilepsy.

The International Journal of Impotence Research recently published a story of a 46-year-old man who was “brought to the emergency room because he had couldn’t remember any events since waking up in the morning or the night before, including sexual intercourse after taking a popular erectile dysfunction drug. His memory gradually improved and tests for cardiovascular and brain problems came back normal.” The German neurologists who wrote the story said there had been 35 reports of amnesia in ED drug users between 1998 and 2001.

Some other side effects of Erectile Dysfunction drugs include: drop in blood pressure or loss of vision and hearing capacity.

For more information on the FDA label changes, visit this site

Obesity Linked to Erectile Dysfunction

In a recent study of over 2,000 Italian men of various ages, scientists have found a concerning correlation between weight and men’s sexual health.

According to an article on the study, “41.5% [of men] were normal weight, 42.4% were overweight, 12.1% were obese, and 4% were severely obese. The mean age was 52.”  The study found that obesity and related health issues such as hypertension and low testosterone levels were far more common in those with Erectile Dysfunction regardless of age.

The study recognized a positive correlation between weight and testosterone levels.

In this case, Erectile Dysfunction (ED) is an indicator of physical — rather than mental — health problems.  Whereas stress, depression and fear can cause stress-related ED, obesity is now thought to be a common physical cause of the dysfunction.  To learn more about erectile dysfunction, why not schedule a consultation at a Boston Medical Group clinic by calling 877-212-9161.