Erectile Dysfunction Specialist

What causes erectile dysfunction?

Erectile dysfunction occurs when you can’t have an erection or keep an erection that’s firm enough to have sexual intercourse. This problem can develop because of many possible causes.

An enlarged prostate, Peyronie’s disease, sleeping disorders, depression, stress, and obesity can all cause erectile dysfunction. If you have diabetes, your risk of erectile dysfunction is double or triple the risk of men who don’t have diabetes.

Of all the causes, however, vascular disease is the most common reason men develop erectile dysfunction. To have an erection, the arteries in your penis must dilate, allowing extra blood to flow into the blood vessels and produce an erection.

When your blood vessels are damaged or blood flow is blocked, you can’t have an erection. Atherosclerosis often blocks the arteries, while your blood vessels may be damaged by high blood sugar, high blood pressure, and smoking.

How do doctors diagnose erectile dysfunction?

In most cases, your doctor at Woodlands Wellness and Cosmetic Center diagnoses erectile dysfunction based on your medical history, your symptoms, and a physical exam. However, if they suspect an underlying medical condition, you may need additional diagnostic testing such as blood work, a urinalysis, or ultrasound.

What type of treatment is available for erectile dysfunction?

Your doctor at Woodlands Wellness and Cosmetic Center offers comprehensive treatment that may include any of the following:

Treating the underlying cause

When an underlying condition is identified, your treatment begins by addressing that problem. For example, you may need to make lifestyle changes to improve the health of your blood vessels, take targeted medications, or learn stress management.

Medication

If your erectile dysfunction is related to low testosterone levels, your doctor may recommend bioidentical hormone replacement therapy to restore your hormone levels back to normal.

Several types of medications are available to produce an erection by enhancing the effect of chemicals that increase blood flow. These medications only cause an erection in response to sexual stimulation.

You may also want to consider medications that you inject into your penis or insert into your urethra. These medications automatically create an erection.