- Overview
- Erectile dysfunction (ED) is the inability to achieve or sustain an erection for sexual intercourse. It is estimated that about 50% of men age 50 have some degree of ED and that number increases as men age.
- Causes
- Most cases of ED are multifactorial – meaning many factors contribute to the deterioration of erectile dysfunction. Some of those causes include psychologic factors, impaired blood flow, poor nerve function, medications, and hormone imbalances.
- Many medical conditions are strongly associated with ED, including heart disease, vascular disease, kidney disease, diabetes, opioid use, hypogonadism, and others.
- Diagnosis
- Diagnosing ED is almost always done by history alone. Your physician may ask you to fill out questionnaires/surveys to quantify the degree of erectile dysfunction. This will help decide on treatment and monitor treatment efficacy. In certain cases, a provider may ask for additional tests to identify reversible causes of ED.
- Treatment
- Medication: Several drugs can increase blood flow to the penis when combined with sexual stimulation.
- Intra-urethral therapy: Small pellets, similar to a grain of rice, are inserted into the urethra by the patient. This facilitates blood flow and erections.
- Injection therapy: Medication is injected into the shaft of the penis, increasing blood flow and facilitating an erection.
- Penile prosthesis: Surgically implanted device that allows for patient control of erection timing and duration.
- Shock wave therapy: The only option that restores natural erectile function to the penis. Targeted sound waves stimulate blood vessel growth and stem cell differentiation in the erectile tissues. This allows for clinical improvement in one’s own natural erectile function.
The doctors at Magic Valley Urology can treat your ED. Call 208-733-3404 for an appointment today.