Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a problem for men worldwide. Approximately 5% of men experience complete ED at age 40, and this figure increases to around 15% for men at age 70, according to the University of Wisconsin.
Men who understand how an erection works may be better equipped than others to identify the initial signs of ED. Then, these men can take the necessary steps to address their ED symptoms before they escalate.
What Happens During an Erection?
An erection begins with sensory and mental stimulation. When a man becomes sexually aroused, nerve messages start to stimulate the penis. Next, brain and nerve impulses cause blood vessels in the penis to relax. Blood then rushes into these vessels and becomes trapped under pressure. This ultimately causes the penis to expand, leading to an erection.
Eventually, blood vessels in the penis begin to contract. This stops the rush of blood into the penis and causes the penis to become flaccid.
ED: Here’s What Men Need to Know
ED refers to a condition that impacts a man’s ability to achieve or maintain an erection. It can affect men of all ages, and in some instances, is linked to stress, anxiety, and relationship problems.
There are two primary causes of ED: physical and psychological. Common physical causes of ED include:
- Diabetes
- Heart disease
- High cholesterol
- Low testosterone
- Obesity
Comparatively, there are many psychological issues that cause men to experience ED. These issues include:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Low self-esteem
- Relationship issues
- Stress
For men who experience ED, it is important to consult with an expert urologist in order to identify the physical and psychological causes of their ED symptoms and treat such issues accordingly.
How Does a Urologist Diagnose ED?
To diagnose ED, a urologist performs a physical examination and evaluates a patient’s medical history. He or she may also use one or more of the following tests to provide an accurate ED diagnosis:
- Blood and Urine Tests: Allow a urologist to identify diabetes, heart disease, low testosterone, and other medical issues that may contribute to ED symptoms.
- Nocturnal Erection Monitoring: Involves the use of a device that is placed around the penis and measures the strength or number of erections that a patient experiences while he sleeps.
- Psychological Tests: Enable a urologist to identify anxiety, depression, stress, and other psychological factors that may impact a man’s ability to get and sustain an erection.
- Ultrasound or MRI: Helps determine if vascular or blood flow issues cause ED. Ultrasound or MRI testing may be used in conjunction with injectable medications that stimulate blood flow to the penis and produce an erection, too.
Once a urologist performs a full patient evaluation, he or she then provides a personalized ED treatment recommendation. A urologist also works with a patient to implement an ED treatment strategy and ensure this individual can achieve the optimal results.
How to Address ED Symptoms
There is no shortage of ED treatments available. Some of the most common ED treatments include:
- Diet and Lifestyle Changes: Obesity puts strain on the cardiovascular system that sometimes interferes with blood flow to the penis, thereby making it difficult for men to experience erections. In these instances, losing weight and maintaining a balanced diet may help a man overcome ED. Additionally, eliminating or reducing alcohol or nicotine consumption, limiting stress, and getting sufficient sleep may help a man address his ED symptoms.
- Medication: Oral medications often contain nitric oxide, a chemical that helps relax the penis and improve blood flow to the penis. Meanwhile, injectable medications are sometimes used to trigger an immediate erection. Injectable medications may be administered into the base or side of the penis or via a special suppository applicator, and they usually trigger an erection that lasts between 30 minutes and 1 hour.
- Vacuum Pump: A penis pump immediately pulls blood into the penis. It often involves the use of a tension ring that goes around the base of the penis and stops blood from exiting the penis long enough for a man to engage in sexual intercourse.
- Penile Implant: A penile implant is an inflatable or semi-rigid device that is placed on one or both sides of the penis. With an inflatable penile implant, a man can control when and how long an erection lasts. Or, a man can use a semi-rigid penile implant, which remains firm yet flexible.
- Counseling: Meeting with a counselor sometimes help a man address various emotional or psychological factors that contribute to ED. Counseling generally allows a man to identify and work through emotional or psychological issues that lead to ED symptoms.
- Surgery: In rare instances, damaged or obstructed blood vessels may cause ED, and bypass surgery is available to address these issues. During a bypass procedure, blood vessels from another part of the body are transplanted into the penis, or a vascular stent is inserted into the penis to improve blood flow.
A urologist may recommend one or more of the following treatments to correct ED symptoms. Furthermore, urologists sometimes recommend low-intensity shockwave therapy (LISWT), a non-invasive and painless ED treatment.
What Is Low-Intensity Shockwave Therapy for ED?
LISWT helps men who struggle to achieve erections. It also helps men who are dealing with erections that are too soft or too brief for penetration.
During an LISWT procedure, a urologist uses low-intensity sound waves to improve blood flow to the penis. These sound waves remove micro-plaque from the penis, as well as accelerate the growth of new blood vessels and fix damaged blood vessels. As a result, LISWT simultaneously enhances blood flow to the penis and stimulates dormant stem cells and growth factors in the penis.
LISWT delivers proven results for ED patients, too. In LISWT studies, 70% of men who experienced ED reported a positive effect after only six treatment sessions (twice per week). Also, among these men, 92% reported a positive response to LISWT for 12 months after initial treatment, and 55% maintained a positive response to LISWT for 24 months after initial treatment.
Is LISWT the Right ED Treatment for You?
Research indicates ED affects up to 30 million men in the United States, and approximately 52% of men experience ED symptoms at some point in their life. Now, LISWT and other ED treatments are available to help men quickly alleviate their ED symptoms. By scheduling an ED treatment consultation with an expert urologist, a man can undergo an extensive evaluation and receive a personalized ED treatment recommendation.
At Comprehensive Urology in Los Angeles, our urologists are happy to help men of all ages treat their ED symptoms. We take an in-depth approach to ED treatment and will do whatever we can to help a man overcome his ED symptoms. To find out more, please contact us today at (310) 499-2756 to schedule an ED treatment consultation with one of our friendly, knowledgeable urologists.