Let’s Talk About Erectile Dysfunction

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Erectile Dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is commonly defined as trouble gaining and maintaining an erection for sexual activity. In addition to the “gain” and “maintain” issues, ED can also result in decreased libido, or sexual desire.

ED affects men of all ages, shapes, and sizes. Healthy men, unhealthy men. Heavy men, skinny men. Younger men, older men. Some groups are more prone than others – one study done in the US, found that 52% of men aged 40-70 years were affected by mild to moderate erectile dysfunction.

If you or your partner have experienced ED, the important thing to remember is that you are not alone.

Causes

So, what exactly causes erectile dysfunction? Well, there are a number of possible causes for ED. Causes can be physical or psychological, and can include:

  • Diabetes
  • High blood pressure
  • High cholesterol
  • Heart disease
  • Obesity
  • Sleep Disorders
  • Alcohol or drug use
  • Low testosterone
  • Prostate issues
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Stress

Treatment

When it comes to erectile dysfunction, the good news is that there are many different treatment options available. Typically, men will start therapy by talking to their doctor about their issue.

Oral Medications

The doctor may write a prescription for an oral medication like Viagra, Cialis, or Levitra. Many of these brand name medications are now also available in more affordable forms such as generic tablets and compounded troches (otherwise known as lozenges). These medications work well for some men. Easy enough, right? The problem is that they don’t always work for everyone.

A lot of men think: “Well the pills didn’t work, so I guess that’s it for me.” This is not the case! There are many other options out there for those who do not have success with oral medications.

Vacuum Erection Device (VED)

Another option that men will try is a vacuum erection device (VED). A VED is exactly what it sounds like – a penis pump. These devices work well for some men but they do have some limitations. They can be cumbersome to use and difficult to travel with.

So, what happens when the pills don’t work and the pump isn’t for you?

“Well, I guess I’m out of luck.”

No, you are not out of luck yet! The next step would be to talk to your doctor about an injectable medication.  

Penile Injection Therapy

Ok, I know what you’re thinking:

“An injectable medication? I have to inject my penis to get an erection? You’re crazy!”

I’m a guy so I get it. It sounds scary, I know. But let me tell you a couple of things before you stop reading.

I’ve been in the field of Men’s Health for over 10 years now so I’ve talked to quite a few men about this very topic. The majority of them have had that exact response.

And then we start to talk about it and I explain that the needle you would be using to inject is often times less than half an inch long. In fact, for our diabetic patients reading this, it’s the same needle you’d use to give yourself an insulin shot! The penile tissue you are injecting into (on the side of the penis, nowhere near the head) is very spongy, which makes it A LOT easier to inject into than, say, muscle tissue (like your shoulder or buttocks). And slowly but surely, it becomes a little bit less scary.

I specifically tell men about this option as well as the other options because I’ve seen it work so well for so many people. I’ve seen it save marriages. I’ve seen it turn people’s lives around. I’ve seen some great things.

You might be thinking “I’m still not sure what will be best for me.” That’s perfectly normal. But if you are experiencing erectile dysfunction, take that first step and talk to your doctor about it. Let them answer your questions and help you decide. The question isn’t if there are options out there to help treat your ED. There are. The question is what will you do about it?

Learn more about treatment options

References

About the Author

Mike Costanzo graduated from Northeastern University’s College of Pharmacy in 2010 with a Doctor of Pharmacy degree. He has practiced in sterile compounding settings as well as the patient care arena. Along the way, Mike directed a Men’s Health Program centered around the treatment of erectile dysfunction. He is well versed in one-on-one patient consultation and Medication Therapy Management (MTM). Mike is committed to providing patient-specific consultation and care to men living with erectile dysfunction. Call (855) 353-6632 for more information.