Erectile Dysfunction

What is erectile dysfunction?

It’s not uncommon for men to experience occasional difficulty in getting and maintaining an erection, particularly as they get older. ED may or may not be accompanied by reduced sexual desire and whether it is can offer a clue to the origin of the problem.

Men may experience sexual dysfunction due to aging, stress, certain medications, and lifestyle habits. They may find it hard to obtain or maintain an erection firm enough for intercourse. Loss of libido and diminished sexual sensation impact millions of men This may be due to an underlying health condition or to declining testosterone levels.

ED can be caused by underlying conditions that should be diagnosed and treated. Associated chronic disease including cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Furthermore, ED may be an early warning sign of these chronic diseases and is a treatable condition that can impact strongly on the wellbeing of men and their partners. The sexual health of older patients is often overlooked and there are lots of treatments that are currently used to effectively treat ED.

What causes erectile dysfunction?

The causes behind ED can be physical or psychological and are increasingly prevalent with age. Several age-related diseases are associated with ED, including chronic heart disease, hypertension, and diabetes, obesity and sleep disorders, and low testosterone. 

Psychological issues can also contribute to ED, including high stress, anxiety, depression, and relationship issues. The overuse of alcohol, drugs, or tobacco is another factor to consider if you suffer from ED.

How is ED treated?

An effective diagnosis of underlying reasons for ED is crucial for appropriate treatment, so Dr. Bodnar begins with a physical exam and blood tests. Once Dr. Bodnar identifies any underlying causes of ED, he may recommend:

Extracorporeal shockwave therapy

Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) effectively treats erectile dysfunction. The treatment is all-natural and drug-free, and uses high-frequency shockwaves to enhance male sexual function by increasing blood flow, which releases growth factors into your penile tissue and helps form new blood vessels. The waves also break down micro-plaques in penile vessels to further encourage circulation.

Dr. Bodnar has special training in ESWT. The procedure occurs in-office and requires no downtime. ESWT enables spontaneous erections, long-term results, and is safe with no side effects. It restores sex life with stronger, firmer, and longer-lasting erections, with over a success rate over 70%, and is compatible with other treatments.

Platelet-rich plasma therapy

Platelet-rich plasma therapy, or PRP, is derived from a conventional blood draw. To create PRP, Dr. Bodnar spins down your blood sample to concentrate the platelet count. Injecting the PRP into your penis can improve your tissue and blood vessel health. PRP for ED involves the injection of your concentrated platelets into your penis. Research in humans suggests that it could be a safe, effective treatment for ED.

Nano-sized vesicles therapy for age-related ED

Nano-sized vesicles are used in several different therapeutic applications. Nano-sized vesicles promote penile neural regeneration, smooth muscle regeneration, and reduced collagen deposits, which enhance erectile function.

Testosterone replacement

Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy is an important intervention for ED that develops due to low testosterone levels. It can help boost sex drive as well as increase the ability to have erections. When diagnosed with low testosterone levels, you might be prescribed testosterone injections, gel, implants, or pellets.

Increasing your testosterone levels can benefit your sexual health and performance and increase sex drive. Higher levels of testosterone usually correlate with having greater sexual activity and an increased response to sexual arousal. It’s associated with better verbal memory, improved thinking abilities, an improvement in spatial memory, increased muscle mass, strength, and energy, and helps control weight. Normal levels of testosterone decrease the risk of weak bones and osteoporosis, and strong bones help support muscles.

Lifestyle

When ED is caused by a condition such as diabetes, or pre-diabetes, one of the most important things you can do is work with your doctor to manage your overall health. Lifestyle modifications can also make a significant difference. These include limiting alcohol and drug use, managing your weight. exercising regularly, eating a healthy diet.

Oral medications

Phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE5) are first-line therapy for ED. These include Sildenafil (Revatio, Viagra), Tadalafil (Adcirca, Cialis), and Vardenafil (Levitra, Staxyn). These medications are effective and fairly well tolerated. They don’t automatically cause an erection and you’ll still need some form of sexual stimulation. Side effects can include backache, flushing, headache, lightheadedness, nasal congestion, upset stomach, and visual changes.

For more information about how to address erectile dysfunction, call Viva Health Group, or make an appointment online today.