Erectile Dysfunction Doctor, Atlanta, GA
Erectile Dysfunction or ED is very distressing for the nearly 40 million men in the US that are affected by the condition. ED is the inability to achieve or maintain an erection or having an erection that is not firm enough to have enjoyable sex. Typically, this leads to an incomplete sex life for both partners in the relationship. It is important to distinguish ED from occasional erectile difficulty, which can occur for several reasons. That said, ED is very treatable when a man is committed to improving his erections.
The Causes of ED
There are a multitude of modifiable and non-modifiable causes for erectile dysfunction. The most important cause of ED is aging! Nearly 50% of men over the age of 50 experience ED. Research has also shown that homosexual men experience ED more often than their heterosexual counterparts, though we do not entirely know why this is the case. Very occasionally, a man may never have been able to achieve an erection.
ED can be caused by several underlying disorders including:
- Compromised blood flow from heart disease, diabetes, or excess weight
- Common medications
- Pelvic surgeries or radiation (Prostate Cancer treatments)
- Nervous system problems such as spinal cord or pelvic nerve damage
- Anxiety and depression
- Hormonal imbalances
- Certain cancers (like advanced prostate cancer)
ED can also be caused by lifestyle factors including:
- Smoking
- Poor diet
- A sedentary lifestyle
- Drugs
Can I Live With ED?
Absolutely.
ED does not inherently cause any harm to your general health. However, for men and couples that value intimacy, ED causes significant emotional distress, which can in turn affect their health and well being
Importantly, studies have also shown that a new finding of ED in middle-aged men can be the first sign of cardiovascular disease. As such, I do ask all men with new ED to undergo routine screening tests with their primary doctor.
A Note on ED in Younger Men
Psychological factors such as anxiety, depression or intimacy issues represent a small but sizable part of the patient population that is suffering from ED. It is also true that younger patients in their 20s or 30s who visit Dr. Kapadia may suffer from erectile dysfunction that is due to compromised blood flow. As such, it is highly important that young men with ED seek help from a trained men’s health urologist to rule out important causes of ED.
Treatment for ED
Most men consider their ED to be an embarrassment and therefore spend a lot of time pondering whether they should seek help. Whether it is embarrassment or a lack of understanding of the treatment options, too many men spend too much time avoiding treatment which is both safe and effective with consultation from a qualified men’s health urologist. TREATMENT FOR ED IS A PARTNERSHIP WHERE YOU HELP GUIDE THE TREATMENT THAT IS RIGHT FOR YOU…
Beyond the Pills
By now, most men are familiar with the ‘blue pill.’ There are many forms of this medication group known as phosphodiesterase inhibitors. Commonly known medications such as Viagra or Cialis can augment our natural system of arousal by increasing blood flow to the penis.
They can be a highly effective form of treatment early in the disease. However, anywhere from 15-50% of men experience failure with medications! Importantly, most men will experience failure or decrease in reliability over time. Not to mention the increasing side effects with increasing dosage!
For these men, there are other forms of therapies—both medical and surgical.
Therefore, if preserving intimacy and natural erections is important to you, seek a cure to your ED sooner rather than later!
Should I be Worried About Anything Else With ED?
Having regular erections is important for the general health and maintenance of the erectile bodies. I think of the erectile chambers as any muscle group in our bodies. With decreased exercise, our muscles experience a phenomenon called ‘atrophy’ or shrinkage . The same phenomenon occurs with chronic ED, and results in progressive loss of length and girth. Furthermore, men may also experience fibrosis or scarring of the erection chambers, which further compromises their elasticity.