Boosting Nitric Oxide (NO) and Erectile Dysfunction, Heart Disease & Stroke
Nitic
Oxide (NO) and The Arousal State
Although most men don’t
want to talk about it, the majority
of men will experience Erectile Dysfunction (ED) in their lifetime. The role of Nitric Oxide (NO) When men get aroused, the blood
vessels in the penis relax
and which allows the penis to fill with blood and become erect. When
one is 18 the wind blows and things happen. But, as men age things slow
down,
morning erections become less frequent, and eventually one can no
longer
perform under the sheets.
Therefore, Men
accepted this slow down as a normal part of again. But in 1998 the
little blue
pill, Viagra, gave men their life back.
Unfortunately,
this Euphoria was short lived, and eventually, despite increasing the
dose, the
pills stopped working.
Nitric
Oxide (NO) and the Nobel Prize
Also, in 1998
Nobel Laureates discovered the key role of Nitric Oxide (NO)
in
cardiovascular health and vasodilation. NO diffuses across the smooth
muscles
lining blood vessels and activates cyclic guanosine monophosphate
(cGMP). As a
result, blood vessels relax and dilate
lowering risk of heart disease, stroke and improving erectile
dysfunction.
Decrease
of Nitric (NO) with Age
As
we age, our
levels of Nitric Oxide decreases resulting in a cascade of
events contributing
to cardiovascular disease and erectile dysfunction.
Viagra, a Phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5)
inhibitor works by blocking the effects of PDE5 enzyme in our blood
vessels
which breaks down the blood vessel relaxing agent, cGMP.
The Anatomy of an Erection and Nitric Oxide (NO)
1. Vasodilation:
In the penis, the blood
vessels are in a constant “contracted” state. In
order for an erection to occur,
the blood vessels must relax.
2. Role of Nitric Oxide (NO): When sexually aroused, NO activates cGMP. As the smooth muscles in
the blood vessels walls
relax, blood flow increases resulting in a hard erection.
3. Subsequently, PDE5 enzyme in the
penis degrades the cGMP. As
a result the penis returns to the flaccid
state.
Erectile
Dysfunction
A number of factors contribute to ED. Vascular issues account
for the majority of
ED. As we
age, the production of NO decreases.
In addition, with time, diet and other health issues such as diabetes,
the
blood vessels in the penis get clogged. Consequently,
when aroused the blood vessels
can not dilate as fully resulting in softer, shorter lasting erections.
Erectile
Treatment Options:
- PDE5
inhibitors such as Viagra and Cialis are
only temporary. The pills, besides causing lots of side effects,
eventually
stop working as the underlying blockage of the small penile blood
vessels
worsen.
- ICI
Trimix
shots combine Alprostadil, Phentolamine and Papaverine which
result in
erections without the side effects of oral medication.
- Botox,
the newest tool to treat erectile dysfunction, helps relax smooth
muscles in
the penis. As a
result, the penis is
larger and fuller in the relaxed state.
In
addition, studies show that Botox improves ED in about 60% of men
- RejuvaWAVE®
Multiwave Acoustic Wave Therapy or EPAT and Cold Laser. EPAT, low intensity
acoustic wave therapy,
similar to lithotripsy that breaks up gall stones and kidney stones,
pulverizes
the plaque in the microvasculature of the penis. In addition, EPAT
stimulates
the regeneration and growth of new blood vessels, nerves and muscles. Unlike
Viagra or Trimix, RejuvaWAVE®
EPAT turns back the clock and can cure ED restoring spontaneity.
- PRP Priapus shot and biologics. Platelet Rich Plasma using your own body’s platelets and growth factors enhances the effectiveness of EPAT. In particular, PRP activates your own body’s stem cells to regenerate
Last reviewed and updated 5/28/24 by Simply Men’s Health