Most people avoid talking about sexual dysfunction, even with their doctor, as it can bring about feelings of inadequacy, shame, and embarrassment. This may be especially true for men who experience erectile dysfunction. Some studies indicate that up to 90% of men avoid talking with their doctor about treatments.
But erectile dysfunction (ED) is far more common than most people realize. It’s indeed more prevalent in older men – the risk of experiencing ED increases with age – but the well-regarded Massachusetts Male Aging Study suggests that approximately 52% of men have or will experience some form of ED at some point in their lives.
Thankfully, many advanced treatments can help.
What is Erectile Dysfunction?
The clinical definition of ED is the persistent inability to achieve or maintain an erection sufficient to engage in satisfactory sexual performance.
At one time, this type of dysfunction was considered to be an entirely psychological problem. And while it is one factor, we now know that physiological problems are equally likely to cause ED.
Causes and Risk Factors
The most common causes of erectile dysfunction are abnormalities in penile arteries and veins (or both) and they are especially prevalent in older men. If the ED is the result of arterial issues, likely the patient may also have arteriosclerosis, which is a hardening of the arteries. Damage to or hardening of endothelial cells can prevent blood vessels from dilating properly, which can inhibit the blood flow to the penis necessary to achieve and maintain an erection.
As mentioned above, there can be psychological components as well as physical factors that contribute to erectile dysfunction. Men who are depressed, have anxiety disorders, or are under considerable amounts of stress can suffer from ED. Sometimes there is a relationship between depression, cardiovascular disease, and erectile dysfunction, which is why men with these symptoms need to be fully evaluated by their physician.
One often-cited reason for ED is that if the tissue in the body of the penis (cavernous smooth muscle) deteriorates or has a growth of excess tissue (fibrosis), it can cause problems achieving and maintaining an erection.
Diabetes is also a leading cause of ED. Just under 11 million adult men in the United States have diabetes, and anywhere between 35 to 50 percent of these men experience symptoms of erectile dysfunction. This can be the result of premature and severe hardening of the arteries and peripheral neuropathy which affects the nerves controlling erections.
Some medications including blood pressure medications and some antianxiety/antidepressant medications can interfere with a man’s ability to achieve and maintain an erection. Again, it’s a good idea to consult your physician so he can evaluate whether medications are contributing to erectile dysfunction.
Hormonal imbalances which can occur as a man ages may be a contributing factor to ED. An imbalance in testosterone, for example, may inhibit a man’s ability to achieve and maintain an erection.
Treatments
The good news is that there are many treatment approaches to help patients who suffer from ED.
There are controllable factors that can mitigate ED, and patients can help themselves simply by improving their lifestyle habits. This may include:
Losing weight
Exercising
Quitting smoking
Seeking treatment for high blood pressure
Adjusting certain prescription medications
Hormone treatment is effective in treating ED for those with imbalances and can include shots, pills, or creams. For men with this type of imbalance, testosterone replacement therapy may be a highly effective treatment.
Other drugs like Viagra and Cialis can help improve the blood flow to the penis necessary to achieve and maintain an erection.
Penile implants are also used as a more permanent treatment for ED. The procedure involves implanting a device in the penis that can be inflatable or non-inflatable. An inflatable device allows a man to achieve an erection by pressing a pump implanted in his scrotum. A non-inflatable penile implant involves bendable silicone rods implanted in the erection chambers of the penis.
When to See Your Doctor
While it’s understandable that some men may feel embarrassed to talk about this issue, even with their doctor, it’s crucial that they do if they want help alleviating symptoms of ED.
But if you’re hesitant about consulting a physician, remember, they have seen most, if not all, of your symptoms before. So don’t feel like you’re the only person in the world with erectile dysfunction.
Try to remember: your doctor is your ally, and if at any time a physician makes you feel as though you should feel embarrassed about your problem, it’s definitely time to find a new one.
The urologists at Norman Urology are experts in treating erectile dysfunction and other urological issues. They can help you manage your symptoms and walk you through available treatments.
If you’re experiencing ED, we encourage you to schedule a consultation with us today!