Erectile Dysfunction and Your Health

What Causes Erectile Dysfunction?

The causes of erectile dysfunction can be complex and many men may have more than one contributing factor including a mix of physical and psychological factors, often related to poor blood flow, nerve damage, hormone imbalances, or underlying conditions.

Sometimes the cause of erectile dysfunction is both physical and mental. If a physical condition slows your sexual response, it may cause anxiety that can add to erectile dysfunction. While the risk for ED increases with age, common physical causes of erectile dysfunction include:

• Heart disease
• High blood pressure
• Being overweight or obese
• Diabetes
• Metabolic syndrome
• Low testosterone levels
• Peyronie's disease
• Depression
• Sleep apnea or other sleep conditions
• Certain medical treatments, including prostate surgery or radiation treatment
• Heavy alcohol and drug use
• Tobacco use
• Medication – ED can be a side effect of many prescription medications
• Prostate Cancer – Treatments for prostate cancer may cause ED

Diagnosis

An experienced urologist can accurately diagnose erectile dysfunction. They will work with you to decide on the best treatment based on your individual condition, health history and preferences. Diagnostic tests for ED may include:

• Physical exam
• Blood tests and urine tests: To check for low testosterone levels and signs of other diseases including heart disease and diabetes.
• Ultrasound: To detect blood flow problems.

Treatment for Erectile Dysfunction

Treatment for ED depends on the cause and it often begins with addressing the underlying condition that has caused it. You may be referred to a specialist to treat your underlying disorder such as a cardiologist for heart disease or an endocrinologist for diabetes.

Lifestyle Changes

For some men, the focus may be on lifestyle changes. Patients with high cholesterol, high blood pressure and/or weight issues can change their eating and exercise habits to address those conditions. Abstaining from alcohol or smoking can also be a healthy step towards reducing ED. When certain health issues have been resolved, the erectile dysfunction often improves dramatically.

Other treatment options for ED include:

Medication:

• Oral medications to relax the muscles in the penis and increase blood flow
• Self-injection or Intraurethral medication: Using a fine needle or special applicator to inject or insert medicine directly into the penis
• Testosterone replacement therapy

If medication is unsuccessful other options for treatment include:

Vacuum Erection Devices

Also referred to as a penis pump: it is a plastic tube that is placed over the penis to help with ED. The device consists of a plastic cylinder and pump, which creates a vacuum that pulls blood into the penis creating an erection, and a constriction ring that helps to maintain it.

Surgical Penile Implants

More permanent treatments include surgical implants where a penile prosthesis is surgically inserted. There are two types of implants that are used to treat ED:

• Inflatable Penile Prosthesis: A pump and two cylinders are placed within the erection chambers of the penis, which causes an erection by releasing a saline solution.
• Semi-rigid Penile Prosthesis: Two semi-rigid but bendable rods are placed within the erection chambers of the penis, to allow manipulation into an erect or non-erect position.

Penile implants are usually not considered until other methods of treatment have been unsuccessful. Implants typically have a high patient satisfaction rate and can be an alternative solution for appropriate patients.

Erectile dysfunction can have a profound effect on many men who experience it. The good news is that ED can often be treated safely and effectively.

Catholic Health has a team of experienced urologists who offer advanced treatments for erectile dysfunction. Learn more about the Urology Services at Catholic Health.