Erectile dysfunction is one of those medical problems that’s so wrapped up in our emotions and our self-esteem that it can be really difficult to discuss, let alone admit we have it. And as a result, lots of men with ED feel isolated and alone, almost as if they’re the only one in their peer group who’s dealing with the problem. Given the high prevalence of ED, however, it might interest you to know that’s probably not the case. In fact, there’s a good chance you know someone else who’s also dealing with ED — and they might be just as anxious about it as you are.
According to data from the Mayo Clinic, anywhere from 15 million to 30 million men suffer from ED in the U.S., and guess what? Not all of them are older. Yes, ED does tend to occur more frequently as we age. But plenty of younger men have ED to some degree, dealing with problems getting or maintaining an erection. Now, there’s an old saying — misery loves company. And while it’s true that you might find some solace in knowing you’re not alone, in our practice, we’ve found that when it comes to ED, what misery really loves is a solution. The good news is that today there are lots of options for treating ED. If one solution doesn’t work for you, you’ve got other options to consider. As a top urologist in Las Vegas, Dr. Alex Lesani offers an array of treatment options for ED, and there’s a really good chance one of them is just right for you.
Of course, before you can find the right treatment, you need to figure out what’s causing your ED to begin with. One of the biggest causes of ED is stress. That could be stress at work, at home, in your social life, or even stress related to your sexual performance. For men who’ve had issues with ED in the past, it’s almost a self-fulfilling prophecy: You’re worried it’ll happen again, and that stress increases the chances that it will. Aside from stress, other emotional issues can also interfere with normal erections — issues like depression, anxiety and even troubles in your relationship with your significant other. These issues can often be treated with a combination of therapy and medication, especially if the issue is chronic.
Those are some of the emotional causes of ED. But what about physical causes? Lots of underlying medical issues and lifestyle factors can cause erectile dysfunction, including:
Some men have a combination of these factors, and that means they might need multiple avenues of care to address all of them.
Treatment for ED typically begins by identifying the risk factors or causes of ED and addressing them first. That might mean losing weight, quitting smoking, cutting back on your alcohol consumption, or managing your diabetes or high blood pressure. Following a healthy diet and getting regular exercise are helpful for lots of men, both for emotional causes like stress and for losing extra pounds and reducing your blood pressure naturally.
The next step is usually medication like Viagra® or Cialis®. Often, a combination of medication and lifestyle factors is all it takes to treat erectile dysfunction in many men. But if they’re not effective, you’ve still got other options, like vacuum devices to help you achieve a lasting erection or injections into the penis itself (relax — it’s practically painless). In rare cases, you might benefit from an inflatable penile prosthesis (or IPP) that’s placed into your penis during a simple medical procedure. The prosthesis inflates using a portable pump, providing you with a reliable, firm erection on demand.
Erectile dysfunction can be worrisome and even embarrassing, but unless you take action, it’s probably not going to go away on its own. With so many treatment options right here in Las Vegas, finding the ED solution that works for you is easier than ever. To learn more about the ED treatment options we offer, book an appointment online today.
