Erectile dysfunction is the inability of obtain or maintain an erection for the purposes of sexual intercourse.
ED can affect men of any age and the severity of this condition varies.
At its worst, men cannot obtain any erection at all, even with sexual stimulation from their partner. You can also say goodbye to morning erections, as they will be a thing of the past.
In these circumstances, consultation with a Urologist is essential so that the ED can be fully investigated. In many cases there is an underlying cause which may be manifesting in a problem with erections. Such conditions include diabetes and hypertension. Many medications can also inhibit erection quality. If you have been prescribed a new medication, check the leaflet to see if this could be a factor.
Early onset erectile dysfunction should also be investigated. Modern screening may include a series of blood tests to check for key markers. An ultrasound of the penis can also check the blood flow to the area, a vital factor in erection quality.
Thankfully, there are a series of oral medications that can help with early onset erectile dysfunction. In many cases only a short course of medication may be required until the natural erections return on their own. For example, conditions such as depression, a bereavement can all have an effect on erection quality. Some assistance in these circumstances may go a long way until the patient feels better and erections begin to improve.
Oral medications include those that are taken just before sexual intercourse. Others are taken on a daily basis. These medications are the first line of defence to treat erectile dysfunction.
For many men they are able to improve the strength of the erections and they can successfully engage in sexual intercourse.
Over time, erectile dysfunction can, and often does, get worse. This could be because of a variety of factors. For example, as an associated medical condition gets worse oral medications stop working as well or stop working altogether. In many cases Doctors will then consider injections of prostaglandin. These are injections that you administer at home, just before you have sexual intercourse. When they work, they work spectacularly, inducing an erection in a matter of minutes.
Again, when the dose has been correctly calculated based on your personal requirements, this treatment will give you an erection every time. This is a popular treatment for erectile dysfunction where oral medication is not working.
The main drawback of this treatment is that you have to self-inject your penis. Not all men are comfortable with this prospect and the injections can be painful. Not only that, but the job of having to self-inject the penis half way through love making is a major interruption that some men find very difficult to work with.
When injections stop working, or when men refuse to consider them at all for the reasons we have mentioned, the next step up is an implant. These are considered the “end stage “of erectile dysfunction. For men who have had surgery for prostate cancer for example they are the only option as no other treatments are able to restore erections anymore. There are two types of penile implant, a malleable implant, and an inflatable implant. They work slightly differently but the fact remains the same for both that these are mechanical erections and spell the end for “natural” erections. This is why most Urologists will try and find ways to keep your natural erections in place for as long as possible. When you choose an implant there is no going back. Of course, when they are the right choice, they are a very good option to combat erectile dysfunction. You will never need to worry about not getting an erection anymore.
At the end of the day, most men experience some form of erectile dysfunction over the course of their lives. Thankfully, it’s a treatable condition and if you are struggling with your erections seek help without delay. First rule out any underlying conditions, this is really important, then focus on find the treatment that gets your erections back on track.
