Erectile dysfunction affects 30 million men. It is not a natural part of the ageing process but it becomes more common with age. Some people have trouble speaking with their doctors about sex. Most men have problems with erections from time to time. But when this happens more than half of the time, then ED is present. But if you have ED, you should tell your doctor. ED can be a sign of health problems. It may mean your blood vessels are clogged. It may mean you have nerve damage from diabetes. ED can also be caused by stress or emotional reasons. ED can be an early warning of a more serious illness. Heart disease, high blood pressure and high blood sugar can all cause ED.
If you don’t see an andrology doctor, these problems will go untreated. The Andrology Doctor can offer several new treatments for ED. Finding and treating the cause(s) of your ED can help your overall health and well-being. For many men, the answer is as simple as taking a pill. Getting more exercise, losing weight, or stopping smoking may also help.
Doctors may look for symptoms to have persisted for at least three months before investigating them further and considering a diagnosis of erectile dysfunction needing treatment. Depending on the cause and severity of erectile dysfunction and any underlying health conditions, you might choose various ED treatment options.
- Testosterone Replacement Therapy, that may help only in case you have low T levels
- Prescription drugs known as PDE-5 inhibitors, that relax penis muscle cells and increase blood flow for a firm erection
- Vacuum erection device, that holds the blood in the penis for up to 30 minutes. With proper training, 75 out of 100 men can get a working erection
- Drugs in the penis by self-injection or by an intraeurethal therapy, for getting an erection firm enough to have sex
- Penile Surgery to fix problems with penis blood vessels, when other treatments do not improve ED.
- Penile prosthesis (also called penile implant) that are placed inside the body, to give penis a 25 year old firmness needed to have sex. Most men with penile implants and their partners are satisfied with the results
Always check with your Andrology doctor or provider before you take any drugs to treat your ED. Your doctor can also explain the risks and benefits of each erectile dysfunction treatment, so as to consider your options. Your partner’s preferences also might play a role in your treatment choices.