Our Greatest Wealth Is Health

Andrew Siegel MD   8/1/2015

At least 30 million men in the USA suffer with erectile dysfunction (ED) and with longevity on the rise, more and more men will have sexual issues. Traditional ED treatments focus on increasing blood flow to the penis, which is essential to erectile function.  However, other vital contributing factors include the roles of the nervous system and the pelvic floor muscles, which can now be tapped into to our advantage, thanks to emerging technologies.

Traditional Management of Erectile Dysfunction

Most conventional forms of management of ED focus on enhancing penile blood flow. This can be achieved via a variety of pharmaceuticals– oral ED medications (Viagra, Levitra, Cialis, Stendra), penile urethral suppositories (M.U.S.E.–alprostadil) and penile injection therapy (Caverject, Edex, Bimix, Trimix, etc.). The vacuum suction device is a mechanical means of filling the penis with blood, using a manual or battery-powered vacuum. Negative pressure engorges the penis with blood and a constriction ring placed around the base of the penis maintains the erection by trapping the blood.

Despite the emphasis on manipulating blood flow to the penis to manage ED, it is important to understand that erections are much more than simply a vascular (blood flow) event. Obtaining and maintaining an erection is a nerve-blood vessel-muscle event, dependent upon functioning nerves that provide sensation and muscle contraction, proper spinal cord and brain function; intact artery and vein blood supply to the penis; and well-functioning erectile smooth muscle within the penis and erectile skeletal muscles surrounding the roots of the penis. In addition to nerves, blood vessels and muscles essential to the process, additional influencing factors are hormones and the psycho-emotional state of the individual. All elements are integrated and provide the functional basis for an erection.

 Deconstructing the Erection Process

Obtaining and maintaining a rigid erection results from a complex interplay of the following elements within the human body:

Nerves: When the penis is stimulated by touch, sensory nerves (dorsal nerve and perineal nerve, which join up to form the pudendal nerve) relay this information to spinal cord centers, which reflexively (via the cavernous nerves) relay to the penile arteries the message to increase blood flow, resulting in the penis engorging with blood. Tactile stimulation of the penis is also conveyed directly to the brain, enhancing this reflex response. Brain-induced erotic stimulation (visual cues, sounds, smells, touch, thoughts, memories, etc.) leads to further stimulation of the penis via cavernous nerve stimulation from excitatory pathways that descend from the brain. The bulbo-cavernosus reflex is important in terms of initiating and maintaining an erection (governed by sensory and motor branches of the pudendal nerve): with stimulation of the head of the penis, there is a reflex contraction of the pelvic floor muscles that causes more blood to be pushed into the penis.

Blood vessels: The cavernous nerve stimulation causes the arteries to the penis and those within the vascular sinuses (erectile tissue) of the penis to substantially increase blood flow.

Smooth muscle: The erectile smooth muscle within the sinuses relaxes to allow filling of the sinuses with blood. Veins that drain the sinuses are occluded, trapping blood within the sinuses. This smooth muscle relaxation results in penile blood pressure becoming equal with systolic blood pressure and an engorged penis, plump but not rigid.

Skeletal muscle: There is no bone in the human penis as there is in many mammals, so nature has evolved a brilliant trick to generate erectile rigidity—the use of readily available blood as a pressure medium under sky-high pressures. To achieve maximal penile rigidity, penile blood pressure must exceed systolic pressure by 100 mm of mercury. This means a penile blood pressure in excess of 220 mm must be achieved for the average man. The penis is the only place in the body where high blood pressure is desirable and necessary for proper function! A hypertensive penis is an erect penis and a happy penis! This explains why blood pressure pills are the most common medications associated with ED.

How exactly does one achieve a hypertensive penis? This is where the “rigidity” muscles come into play, the ischiocavernosus and bulbocavernosus pelvic floor muscles muscles that surround the deep roots of the penis. In response to penile stimulation via the bulbocavernosus reflex, these muscles contract rhythmically, clamping venous outflow and squeezing the deep roots of the penis, pushing more blood into the erect penis, resulting in penile high blood pressure and full-fledged rigidity. Without the rigidity muscles, the penis would be engorged, but not rigid.

Hormones: Testosterone is “male rocket fuel.” A normal level of testosterone is important in terms of both sex drive and the facilitation of erections, although it is possible to obtain erections even in the face of low testosterone levels.

Psycho-emotional factors: Psychological and emotional status has a significant effect on erectile function. Mood, stress levels, interpersonal and relationship issues, etc.—acting via the mind-body connection and the release of a “cocktail” of neurochemicals—can influence erectile function for better or worse. Stress, for example, induces the adrenal glands to release a surge of adrenaline. Adrenaline constricts blood vessels, which has a negative effect on erections, the basis for the common occurrence of adrenaline-fueled performance anxiety.

The Down Side of Traditional Erectile Dysfunction Treatments

Medications undoubtedly can be very helpful for ED. However, they are expensive and are getting increasingly so, have side effects and there are a number of clinical situations in which they cannot be used. Other issues are lack of spontaneity and the need for chronic use. Pills are easy to swallow, but many men find the thought of inserting a suppository in their urethras or putting a sharp needle in their penis less than satisfactory.

Vacuum suction devices do not permit rigidity of the roots of the penis and therefore cause a pivoting and unstable erection. The skin of the penis can become cool and dusky because of the constriction ring, which can be uncomfortable and impede ejaculation. As of July 1, 2015, the vacuum device and accompanying tension ring were statutorily excluded from Medicare coverage and thus not payable when billed to Medicare.  Since the vacuum suction device is no longer covered by Medicare it has become a costly alternative.

These treatments that deal only with the blood flow component of erections neglect the important contributions of nerve stimulation and the “rigidity” muscles.

 New Treatment Options Beyond Drugs & Pumps

An alternative strategy is to focus on nerve stimulation and the rigidity muscles.

Vibratory genital stimulation has been used successfully for many years to enhance sexual response and induce climax in females, so why should it be any different for the male gender? Vibrators applied to the penis have traditionally been used for spinal cord injured patients who wish to father children, but cannot ejaculate. The use of vibratory genital stimulation has recently been expanded to ED, impaired rigidity, sexual dysfunction after radical prostatectomy and orgasmic/ejaculation issues.

Viberect, made by Reflexonic, is an FDA-certified hand-held penile vibratory stimulation device useful for triggering erection and ejaculation. It provides simultaneous stimulation of the genital nerves at both the dorsal (top) and ventral (bottom) surfaces of the penis. Penile vibratory stimulation stimulates the reflex between the penis and the spinal cord (pudendal-cavernosal reflex), resulting in tumescence (gradual filling of the penis with arterial blood). Penile vibratory stimulation of the head of the penis also contributes to erectile rigidity via inducing rhythmic contractions of the ischiocavernosus and bulbocavernosus via the bulbocavernosus reflex. By enhancing the bulbocavernosus reflex and triggering neural activity in the brain, spinal cord and peripheral nerves, vibratory stimulation provokes erection and ultimately, ejaculation.

Pelvic floor muscle training—which has also been used successfully in females for years—is capable of optimizing function of the male “rigidity” pelvic floor muscles. The Private Gym program, made by Adult Fitness Concepts, is the go-to means of increasing pelvic floor muscle strength, tone, power, and endurance. It is a comprehensive, interactive, easy-to-use, medically sanctioned and FDA-registered follow-along exercise program that builds upon the foundational work of Dr. Arnold Kegel. It is the first program of its kind designed specifically to teach men exactly how to perform the exercises. A clinical trial has demonstrated its effectiveness in fostering more rigid and durable erections, improved ejaculatory control and heightened orgasms. The Basic Training program strengthens the pelvic floor muscles with a series of progressive “Kegel” exercises, while the Complete Training program provides maximum opportunity for gains via resistance equipment.

Both the Viberect and the Private Gym are unique sexual management tools—approaches that go beyond the conventional blood flow enhancement treatments of ED—that work on different aspects of the many facets of erectile physiology. Combining use of the Viberect and the Private Gym is a partnership with great harmony and synergy that works on both the initiation of erection via Viberect’s ability to stimulate neurovascular cavernous reactivity as well as the maintenance of erection via Private Gym’s ability to enhance venous occlusion, penile blood pressure and durability of erectile rigidity. Using the Viberect – Private Gym combination does not in any way preclude using additional therapies such as the aforementioned medications. Both Viberect and Private Gym are safe, non-invasive, sustainable and cost-effective treatments with the Viberect costing $299 and the Private Gym $99.

 Preparing For and Recovering From Radical Prostatectomy

Having your prostate removed is an effective means of curing prostate cancer. Unfortunately, because of the prostate’s precarious location – – at the crossroads of the urinary and genital tracts, connected to the bladder on one end, the urethra on the other, touching upon the rectum, and nestled behind the pubic bone in a well-protected nook of the body – – it’s removal has the potential for causing unwanted and undesirable side effects.

Oftentimes, urologists are more focused on removing the prostate cancer (and saving the patient’s life) than spending time educating patients on how to minimize the negative effects of the surgery. Prior to and after radical prostatectomy, by using the combination of nerve stimulation in conjunction with strengthening the pelvic floor muscles, negative side effects can be greatly reduced.

It can take several years to recover maximal sexual function after radical prostatectomy. Post-prostatectomy ED seems to be on the basis of many factors including trauma to nerves, blood vessels, and muscular tissue that can compromise sexual function (and urinary control). The poor tissue oxygenation that results from the penis being flaccid for long periods of time can cause loss of erectile smooth muscle function, scarring and venous leakage (a condition in which there is rapid loss of an erection as blood is not properly trapped within).

Penile rehabilitation (“rehab”) is commonly used to get the blood flowing and maintain penile tissue oxygenation and elasticity, expediting erectile recovery. Treatment modalities that have been used for rehab include oral medications, urethral suppositories, penile injections and the vacuum suction device.

The partnership of Viberect neural stimulation and Private Gym pelvic muscle training is a welcome addition to the penile “rehab” regimen. Viberect stimulates the nerves that help induce an erection, while Private Gym strengthens the muscle system that powers, supports, and controls erectile rigidity. This combined treatment provides a safe, non-invasive, natural solution without side effects and does not preclude the use of traditional ED management.

Furthermore, using the Viberect and Private Gym together before and after prostate surgery can have a significant positive psychological impact on the patient. Once diagnosed with prostate cancer, men often have anywhere from four to eight weeks before surgery. This period of waiting and worrying about the upcoming surgery is often a very emotional and psychologically disruptive time. The same is true during the recovery process. Using Private Gym and Viberect enables patients to take an active role in preparing for surgery as well as facilitating recovery in the post-operative period, empowering them throughout the process.

Wishing you the best of health,

http://www.AndrewSiegelMD.com

A new blog is posted every week. To receive the blogs in the in box of your email go to the following link and click on “email subscription”: www.HealthDoc13.WordPress.com

Author of Male Pelvic Fitness: Optimizing Sexual and Urinary Health: available in e-book (Kindle, iBooks, Nook, Kobo) and paperback: http://www.MalePelvicFitness.com.  In the works is The Kegel Fix: Recharging Female Sexual, Urinary and Pelvic Health.

Private Gym: http://www.PrivateGym.com -available on Amazon as well as Private Gym website

Viberect: http://www.Reflexonic.com-available on Amazon as well as Viberect website

Tags: Adult Fitness Concepts, Andrew Siegel MD, Arnold Kegel MD, bulbocavernosus reflex, erection, Kegel exercises, male Kegels, new approached to erectile dysfunction, pelvic floor muscle training, penis, post-prostatectomy erectile dysfunction, Private Gym, Reflexonic, vacuum suction device, Viberect, vibrator, vibratory penile stimulation

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