Erectile dysfunction is fairly common. In fact, 1 in 10 men will experience ED at some point in his life. Your risk of developing ED increases with age, but it’s possible for men of all ages to experience the condition. It isn’t unusual to fail to achieve an erection occasionally, but if you’re having trouble more than 50 percent of the time, that isn’t normal and you probably require treatment. It’s important to remember that you aren’t alone, and there’s nothing to be embarrassed or ashamed about.
Common causes of erectile dysfunction include:
● Diabetes
● Obesity
● Heart disease
● Low testosterone
● Certain medications
● High cholesterol
● Neurological problems
● Alcohol and tobacco use
● Sleep disorders
● Depression
If you’re having problems getting or maintaining an erection long enough for sexual intercourse, you
should talk to your doctor as soon as possible. He or she will ask you some questions and probably
perform a few tests to figure out what the underlying causes are. You can then discuss your treatment
options and decide on the best one for you.
How ED is treated depends on the cause of the problem, and options include counseling, lifestyle
changes, oral prescription medications, injections, and in rare cases, surgery. The good news is that
almost 70 percent of men report improvements after they begin using prescription drugs. If the above
treatments don’t work for you, other options include external penile splints and vacuum devices. Your
doctor will be able to provide more information and answer any questions you may have.
Erectile dysfunction is a common condition, and you don’t have to silently suffer from it. Take back
your quality of life today by speaking to your urologist and getting some answers.
At Arkansas Urology, we’re here for you. Our patients’ health has been and will always be
our top priority! Are you suffering from erectile dysfunction? Contact us today to schedule your
appointment, or book your appointment online.
