Is erectile dysfunction permanent? We are here to tell you E.D. can be treated in almost all cases. More importantly, the biggest barrier to restoring full sexual function is a man’s reluctance to seek treatment. If you are living with some erectile dysfunction issues, now is the time to get some answers.
Common Occurrence
The inability to achieve and maintain an erection for sexual intercourse is the definition of erectile dysfunction, also known as impotence.
How common is erectile dysfunction? It is perfectly normal for men to have at least one incidence of ED in their lifetime. However, it is believed that about 30 million men have ED on a recurring basis. So don’t feel like you are alone or embarrassed to seek treatment from Southland Urology.
How Men Get an Erection
Getting an erection is all about blood flow. When aroused, your nervous system causes the tissue in the penis to relax allowing blood to flow in. The penis then traps the blood helping to keep it erect until you have an ejaculation.
Although ED is more common in older men, younger generations can be affected too. The good news is whatever is preventing a man from enjoying healthy sex, there are options to treat it.
Possible Causes of ED
Many men think their inability to get an erection is some fault of their own or something missing in their manhood. Forget that.
ED often has more than one single cause. Many conditions can cause blood flow problems, damage nerves, arteries, and muscles which interfere with sexual function.
Underlying Medical Problems
Since erection involves blood flow and arousal, many causes could involve the vascular, endocrine, or nervous system like the following conditions:
- Heart disease
- High blood pressure
- Chronic kidney disease
- Multiple sclerosis (MS)
- Type 2 diabetes
- Atherosclerosis
Once these underlying causes are treated, many times ED is resolved.
Medications
Many medications are linked to ED.
Things like anti-depressants, blood pressure medications, appetite suppressants, prescription sedatives, ulcer medications, and anti-androgens can cause ED.
Your physician may be able to substitute or change dosage.
Lifestyle Behaviors
Here are some things you can control.
- Being overweight, obese, or living a “couch potato” lifestyle.
- Smoking
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Illicit drug use
All of these behaviors can affect your sexual health.
Emotional Issues
Problems like depression, anxiety, stress, low self-esteem, or sexual performance anxiety can all affect your ability to get and keep an erection. Any of these can cause or worsen symptoms of ED.
The first step is to talk with Southland Urology in Orange County, CA who will look for any underlying medical conditions that could be causing the ED, medication issues, emotional issues, and discuss your lifestyle.
You may be referred to another specialist who can help with emotional or lifestyle problems.
The bottom line is you will discover the cause(s) and treatment options available. There are medications, shots, testosterone therapy, and both non-invasive and surgical procedures.
Remember that early intervention and treatment to detect a medical condition causing ED increases your likelihood of reversing it.
Contact Southland Urology at (714) 870-5970 for a thorough evaluation to discover the possible cause(s) of erectile dysfunction.