Monday, October 4, 2010

Male Sexuality from health perspective(Mechanism behind Erection) - Part 4

Guys should know the mechanism behind erection. Testosterone is a primary male harmone necessary for sex drive and also secondary male characteristics. It is also necessary for sperm production. Testosterone levels can easily be assisted from a simple blood test. The normal values of testosterone in males is 437 to 707 ng/dl while in females 24 to 47 ng/dl. 1 ng(nano gram)=10-3 mcg(micro gram);1 mcg=10-6 g; dl-deci liter= 10-1 l.

Body releases the chemical molecule 'nitric oxide(NO)' to create an erection. This molecule acts on another enzyme within the blood vessels of the erectile tissue accumulating another chemical called cyclic GMP(guanosine mono phosphate). This accumulation makes calcium leave the blood vessel walls and the walls relax. Blood fills the blood vessels and they become engorged, acting like a flap valves closing off the outflow of blood. Hence erection results. Finally the body releases another chemical called phosphodiesterase-5, which reverses the process. That is, it reduces the accumulation of cyclic GMP thus by bringing erection to an end. The pill Viagra(Sildenafil) basically inactivates the erection ending chemical phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5). 

The pill was developed in Pfizer labs and was being tested to lower blood pressure. Medical residents were the volunteers for the study and they didn't find any change in their blood pressure and they were asked to return the unused pill. But they were reluctant to return the unused pills as they were experiencing enhanced erections:-) So, the pill was accidentally discovered and it does wonders in most ED(erectile dysfunction) related cases. Only if the pill doesn't work or works erratically, then further investigation becomes necessary.

The pill is available in 25mg, 50mg, 100mg tablets. Normally it is effective when taken with water on an empty stomach, 3-4 hours after a meal. The pill will work only when there is sufficient sexual stimulation. Just because the guy is bored and swallows a pill , without sexual stimulation and screams & complains 'i don't have erection', the pill is not the problem:-)  It works upto 8 hours after it is taken and allows a man to respond to sexual stimulation. In rare cases, everything may appear to have blue tinge for 30 mnts to 90 mnts. Normally, it is safe and doesn't have dangerous side effects. Other drugs prescribed for ED are Cialis(tadalafil) & Nuviva(vardanafil).

Viagra shouldn't be taken with nitrates(nitro glycerin type drugs) prescribed for angina in men. It can be lethal. Infact in one study, they found that viagra, given to men with angina, right before coronary bypass surgery, improved blood flow to the heart. As long as viagra is not mixed with nitrates, men with ED can use it safely. Since ED is mainly psychological based, it is better not to stress out too much. This explains why the infertility rate has increased quite a bit in the last 10 years. Stress affects Testosterone levels -> low sperm count -> infertility. Remember, Life is Beautiful :-)  

Please read this interesting article 'Joy of Uncircumcising', first appeared in the British Medical Journal in 1994. Circumcision is probably & still carried out in some communities???...

 http://www.cirp.org/pages/reviews/bigelow/

10 comments:

Cliffy said...

You have an intersting blog yourself. I have to come back here and read the rest of the posts. Thanks for your comments on my blog which is a low key, private one. I write, so I don't forget and some day when my kids are old enough, I want to share my writings with them. There is another blog that I maintain which is kid freindly and they help me write stuff.

I am a big fan of Ramesh Mahadevan and his work, you may have taken a detour from his blog to visit mine.

Anyways...see you around. and keep writing. I have some drafts which I need to publish but this crazy business of life keeps interrupting :-).

Nappinnai NC said...

Did I leave a comment on your blog? I don't think so...Maybe i'm having a blonde moment:-) Thanks for your compliments. Sure, Ramesh is a crazy, wonderful person who has the potential to write hilarious stuffs but he enters into his den and takes a longtime to come out of it to give a glimpse of himself.

I will check your blog leisurely tomorrow. I love kids and they all feel happy around me. I will definitely give my inputs. Enjoy life.

Nappinnai NC said...

where is your other blog? I will be interested in reading 'how kids' think:-)

subathirumaalkandankandan said...

thanks for your post..... am an immune suppresent ( under went organ transplant )is it suit for me ?!

Nappinnai NC said...

Subathirumaal, all transplant patients are immune suppressant! That's the beauty of immune system which acts as crazy as the mind. The T lymphocytes(one type of immune cells)that patrol the entire bloodstream are the ones that reject the organs if the patient is not on immunosuppressive drugs. Immune cells have memory of what is 'self' and what is 'non-self'.

I don't understand your question. You need to be very specific. If your transplant was due to disorders like diabetes, which is associated with ED, then sex drive and erection are difficult. Medication may help and relieve to a certain extent and it all depends on patients reponse.

subathirumaalkandankandan said...

about that pill for erection ? and am a post transplant diabetes., doc said its bocs of my drugs tacrolimus and sirolimous ... pls ans for my qns sister

Nappinnai NC said...

Hi Subathirumaal, please correct me if i don't understand your actual problem. Your kidney trasplant was a result of diabetes. Am i right? Viagra is the first line of treatment used by Urologists to treat ED in Diabetics as long as the patient is not taking any other drugs that has nitrates.

The immunosuppresive drugs, that you have mentioned, shouldn't mess up the nerve endings if viagra is taken. But how severely damaged those nerve endings in your diabetes case is to be taken into account first. One of the side effects of immunosuppressants is high BP. You can never stop thaking immunosuppressants otherwise its going to reject the organ and you will be in deep trouble(can lead to death also if actions are not taken immediately).

Normally diabetics tend to have high BP also. What's your normal reading? If you do have, do you take any medication for that and what is the drug? My cousin brother is a neurosurgery resident and he had worked in Urology before shifting to neurosurgery. So, he should know about these things. But he will ask me lot of questions? Anyways whatever info(i got your age from FB)you have given me, i will ask my brother.

subathirumaalkandankandan said...

no sister dont ask ... am not going to stop those drugs since it is saving my life... iam facing multiple problem in my body... i under went cardio surgery and total hip replacement too... so take life as it comes and am just sharing my problem with u bcos u r my fb friend knowledge-able friend too and dont discuss with your bro... thank you so much sister

Nappinnai NC said...

Oh My God, that's painful to hear that you have gone through other complications. Even my bro, will not be able to tell you unless he knows the exact surgeries/treatments you had gone through. I can not reiterate more that health is the greatest wealth. I can only wish you great quality of life and His bless. Take care.

Global Knowledge said...

I finally saw that you write blogs. I don't..though I would like to write blogs, I have to write a lot for work. It takes away my time to dedicate writing in other forums. BTW, after reading a bit.. my head started spinning. That really means, you write high funda stuff :).
Kanna