Erectile Dysfunction (ED) Treatment

What is Erectile Dysfunction?

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a condition in men where it is difficult to get or maintain an erection that is firm enough for sex. This condition is very common, and is  the most frequent sexual health complaint from men of all ages. ED Symptoms Symptoms of erectile dysfunction are associated with an inability to develop or sustain an erection. Signs may include:

• Reduced sexual desire or a lowered libido
• A decrease in interest or motivation for sexual activity
• Difficulty achieving an erection
• Inability to initiate or sustain an erection during sexual arousal
• Ejaculating sooner than desired during sexual activity
• Difficulty reaching orgasm or prolonged time to achieve ejaculation

Causes of Erectile Dysfunction

ED normally stems from two separate categories:  physical and mental health issues. Most often, erectile dysfunction is the result of a physical problem. Examples include:

• Not having enough blood flow to the penis
• Problems with the nerve endings due to cancer or injury
• Side effects of medication

Other cases of erectile dysfunction may include emotional or psychological issues, such as:

• Stress
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Relationship problems
• Worry about poor sexual performance

It is certainly possible for both physical and mental factors to contribute toward a patient’s erectile dysfunction. Many people with ED discover that a physical issue will lead to stress in a relationship or about sexual performance, which makes their erectile dysfunction even more problematic.

How is Erectile Dysfunction Diagnosed?

The potentially endless circle of erectile dysfunction can be broken by speaking with a urologist about your problem to understand its root cause.  Urologists assess erectile dysfunction by:

• Conducting a thorough review of your medical and sexual history
• Performing a comprehensive mental health and physical examination
• Blood tests
• Physical exam of the penis and testicles
• Discussion about hormones or medications 

Conversations about ED with a healthcare professional may be challenging, but it’s important to keep in mind that a fulfilling sex life is integral to overall well-being. Providing your doctor with detailed information enables them to better understand your situation and increases the likelihood of successful treatment.

Tests to Further Diagnose ED

In addition, there may be three special tests to confirm you can physically have an erection.

• Overnight “Ring Test:” Most men have 3 to 5 erections each night as they sleep. For this test, a patient will place a ring device over the penis before sleep. If the patient has erections, the ring will break. If that is the case, then ED is not a physical issue, but could be emotional or mental.
• Penile Doppler Ultrasound: This test is non-invasive. A wand is held over your penis to make sure blood flow is normal.
• Injection test: A medication is injected into the base of the penis which should give you an immediate erection. If you don’t get one, there is likely something wrong with blood flow.

The good news is whatever is preventing a man from enjoying healthy sex, there are options to treat it. Erectile dysfunction is treatable in almost all cases.

ED Treatment

There are multiple treatments for ED and options for each cause. Sometimes it can be as simple as changing your medications. Treatment for ED may include:

• Medications – Prescription medications such as sildenafil (Viagra), tadalafil (Cialis), and vardenafil (Levitra) can enhance blood flow to the penis
• Vacuum Erection Devices – Mechanical devices that create a vacuum to draw blood into the penis, facilitating an erection
• Penile Injections – Medications injected directly into the penis to induce an erection
• Penile Implants – Surgical implants that provide an artificial erection
• Lifestyle Modifications – Adopting a healthy lifestyle, including regular exercise, a balanced diet, and avoiding excessive alcohol and tobacco use
• Psychological Counseling -Addressing underlying psychological factors through therapy or counseling

ED can be challenging for both individuals and their partners. Open communication, emotional support, and a willingness to explore treatment options together can contribute to a healthier and more satisfying sexual relationship. It is important to seek care for erectile dysfunction because it can be a sign of an underlying medical condition.