There are many causes of erectile dysfunction (ED) and proper evaluation and diagnosis by a medical professional are essential to determining the best course of treatment. Erectile dysfunction can be caused by cardiovascular disease, hormonal disruptions, stress, medications, etc. Determining what it is caused by and remembering the cause may be multifactorial nature is important in determining the best way to manage ED; not to mention mitigate additional risk e.g., if something like cardiovascular disease is the cause.
Obtaining a thorough history from the patient is the most important aspect of the evaluation. When taking the history, it is important to determine if the man is still getting morning erections. The loss of morning erections is highly indicative of a hormonal imbalance whereas the presence of nocturnal or morning erections (but difficulty achieving or maintaining an erection during intercourse) is much more indicative of a psychological cause. A good history will help the provider narrow down the possible causes of the ED.
Once the most likely cause of erectile dysfunction is determined further testing may be warranted. Testing may include things like labs to assess for primary causes (e.g., cardiac disease, diabetes, hormone imbalances, etc.) or an ultrasound to assess the blood flow to the penis.
General healthy lifestyle practices are recommended for the management of ED. Eating a healthy diet, getting exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding smoking, getting adequate rest, managing stress, etc. are all things that directly impact erectile function. When that is not enough there are additional treatments to consider.
Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) is an effective treatment for ED when testosterone levels fall below an optimal range. If testosterone is in an optimal range and symptoms of erectile dysfunction persist there are medications called phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors (PDE-5 inhibitors) sold under the brand names Viagra, Cialis, etc. which can increase blood flow to the penis. There are some other procedures and surgeries that can be done when these initial measures fail but are far less common.
ED is a condition that can severely impact a man's quality of life. There are many causes but also many solutions. Seeking appropriate treatment can not only improve a man's quality of life but also potentially identify and mitigate underlying disease.
コメント