What is erectile dysfunction?
If you have erectile dysfunction, you have difficulty achieving an erection or keeping an erection firm enough to enjoy satisfying sexual experiences.
If you have occasional erectile difficulties, it doesn’t necessarily mean you have erectile dysfunction. If you’re experiencing persistent problems with achieving and maintaining erections, you might have erectile dysfunction and should visit Urology Associates of Southeastern North Carolina for personalized medical care and support.
What causes erectile dysfunction?
Erectile dysfunction can have several causes, such as:
- Hypertension
- Artery blockage
- Heart disease
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- Certain medications
- Anxiety or stress
- Lack of blood flow to the penis
- Nerve damage in the penis
Other factors might also play a role. In some cases, multiple factors collectively contribute to the development of erectile dysfunction.
Your urologist analyzes your current and previous medical issues, your lifestyle, family history, and other possible contributing factors to determine what’s causing your erectile dysfunction and how best to treat it.
How is erectile dysfunction treated?
Treatment for your erectile dysfunction depends on the underlying cause. If the cause is primarily emotional rather than physical, your urologist might recommend therapy with a mental health professional.
Your urologist might suggest healthy lifestyle changes, such as stress management, regular appropriate exercise, and nutritional counseling to help relieve erectile dysfunction. Lifestyle changes might also include weight loss and alcohol and smoking cessation.
If an underlying condition like poor circulation or diabetes is contributing to your erectile dysfunction, your urologist can also help you treat your underlying condition and improve your general wellness.
Your urologist might also recommend:
- Oral medication
- Injected medication
- Intraurethral pellets
- Testosterone replacement therapy
- Vacuum devices
When nonsurgical treatments aren’t successful, an inflatable penile prosthesis might be a good solution. Your urologist surgically places a special inflatable penile prosthesis within your penis. You simply depress the pump that’s positioned beneath your scrotal sac to achieve an erection and to end the erection, you depress the deflation valve at the base of the pump.
An inflatable penile prosthesis gives you the ability to achieve and maintain an erection whenever you’d like, but it doesn’t alter your sexual desire.
Rest assured that Urology Associates of Southeastern North Carolina can assist you in getting to the root cause of your erectile dysfunction and restoring your sexual vitality. Call or schedule via the web today.