ED
What is Erectile Dysfunction?
Erectile Dysfunction can affect men can face at any stage in their life. There are many different potential reasons as to what may cause erectile dysfunction, including psychological and physical factors, or both. Possible symptoms can include trouble getting or keeping an erection and reduced sexual desire.
What Causes Erectile Dysfunction?
Here are just a few potential factors that can contribute to erectile dysfunction: stress, depression, anxiety, relationship problems.
Physical factors:
- Surgery – specifically to treat prostate or bladder cancer.
- Injury to the groin area
- Hormone problems
- Venous leak
- Tobacco, alcohol, or drug use.
- Prescription drugs
- Prostate enlargement
- Heart disease
- Clogged blood vessels
- High cholesterol
- High blood pressure
- Obesity
- Metabolic syndrome
- Parkinson’s disease
- Multiple sclerosis
- Peyronie’s disease
- Sleep disorders
- Low testosterone
Sometimes, another disease can lead to erectile dysfunction issues. Some may include diabetes, kidney disease, nerve & brain disorders, & blood vessel diseases.
Be sure to see your doctor if you are having concerns about your erections or are experiencing other related sexual problems.
How Do I Prevent Erectile Dysfunction?
Erectile Dysfunction is no joke and can cause relationship problems, self-esteem problems, stress, anxiety, or embarrassment. For those that suffer from erectile dysfunction, it can potentially lead to an unsatisfactory sex life and create friction in relationships.
Preventing erectile dysfunction comes from making healthy lifestyle decisions. Here are a few that could make a significant impact:
- Managing or preventing diabetes, heart disease, and other chronic health problems
- Making an effort to see your doctor for regular checkups and screenings
- Stop smoking, drinking, or using illegal drugs
- Exercise regularly
- Follow a healthy eating plan
Erectile Dysfunction Treatment in Boston, MA
Before you start treatment for erectile dysfunction, talk to your doctor about a treatment plan that’s right for you. It’s important to make sure that your treatment is not only solving your issue but isn’t creating new ones or worsening existing ones.
There are many different options for erectile dysfunction treatment. They vary based on the severity of the issue as well as the patient’s underlying health conditions. Each treatment has its own risks and benefits that you and your partner may want to consider before beginning a treatment plan.
Options for erectile dysfunction treatment may include:
- Oral Medications
- Penis Pump
- Surgery
- Implants
- Self-injection
- Urethra suppository
- Testosterone replacement therapy
- Exercise
- Psychological counseling
Pills for Erectile Dysfunction
A popular treatment option for erectile dysfunction is taking oral medication. It’s important to get your doctor’s approval before taking oral medication for erectile dysfunction, especially if you suffer from underlying health conditions such as heart disease, heart failure, low blood pressure, or taking nitrate drugs.
Some of the most popular oral medicine treatments for erectile dysfunction include:
- Viagra (Sildenafil)
- Adcirca or Cialis (Tadalafil)
- Levitra or Staxyn (Vardenafil)
- Stendra (Avanafil)
These medications increase the effect of nitric oxide, a chemical in the body that relaxes muscles in the penis and increases blood flow. However, to release nitric oxide in your body, sexual stimulation is required.
These medications differ in dosage, side effects, and how long they last.
Some possible side effects can include but are not limited to nasal congestion, upset stomach, headache, backache, visual changes & flushing.
Sonic Wave Therapy in Boston, MA
Men’s Health in Boston is proud to offer Sonic Wave Therapy, a safe, comfortable, and effective procedure to improve blood flow to the penis.
Sound waves repair aged blood vessels which, may help to stimulate the growth of new blood vessels and remove micro-plaque.
Men’s Health in Boston proudly offers a specific protocol designed by men’s health expert Dr. Morgetaler.
You’ll be shocked to learn that this treatment for erectile dysfunction only takes 15-20 minutes, with some patients seeing results after their first treatment.
Are There Alternative Treatments for Sexual Dysfunction?
There are plenty of other popular treatments for sexual dysfunction that don’t include pills. However, it’s still recommended to talk to your doctor before beginning any treatment process.
Some other popular sexual dysfunction treatment options include
- Alprostadil self-injection
- Alprostadil urethral suppository
- Testosterone replacement
- Penis Pump: hollow tube with a hand-powered or battery-powered pump. Creates a vacuum to pull blood into your penis
- Penile implants: inflatable or bendable rods to control when and how long you have an erection. This isn’t recommended until other methods have been tried first or if you have a urinary tract infection.
Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP)
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections are a form of autologous (one’s own blood) cell therapy under the banner of regenerative medicine for treating erectile dysfunction (ED).
Platelets have a crucial role in coagulation and promoting wound healing following injury and contain various growth factors that are responsible for regenerative functions, including the recruitment of healthier, more viable cells that stimulate blood flow. PRP preparations are injected into the penis and can improve blood flow and enhance erection strength and duration.
Results from PRP treatment can be immediate and are more likely to occur within 24-48 hours.
To learn more about sexual dysfunction, feel free to contact our office here.
