Erectile Dysfunction Treatment in Arkansas
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is defined as difficulty in getting and maintaining an erection that is firm enough for sex. This condition is very common, and is actually the most frequent sexual health complaint from men of all ages.
Causes of Erectile Dysfunction
ED normally stems from two separate categories of physical and mental health issues.
Physical Issues
Most often, erectile dysfunction is the result of a physical problem. These can include a variety of different situations, but they typically relate to:
- Not having enough blood flow to the penis. Conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and hardened arteries can all restrict the functions of an individual’s circulatory system, which can prevent proper amounts of blood flow to certain areas of the body. It may also be difficult for an individual to keep blood in the penis long enough to sustain an erection.
- Problems with the nerve endings. Damage to the pelvic region can often lead to damage of the nerves. Injury, cancer treatments, or even a disrupted signal from the brain can all cause these nerves to malfunction and diminish a person’s senses.
- Side effects of medication. There is always a risk to taking a medication, but some risks can impact sexual function both temporarily and long-term. Make sure to discuss all possible side effects to a new medication with your healthcare provider.
Mental Health Issues
Other cases of erectile dysfunction may be caused by emotional or psychological issues, such as:
- Stress
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Relationship problems
- Worry about poor sexual performance
It is certainly possible for both physical and mental factors to contribute toward a single patient’s erectile dysfunction. Many people with ED discover that a physical issue will lead to stress in a relationship or about sexual performance, which can make their erectile dysfunction even more difficult to deal with.
How is Erectile Dysfunction Diagnosed?
The potentially endless circle of erectile dysfunction can be broken by speaking with a urologist about your erectile dysfunction and getting a diagnosis to understand what could be causing it to occur. Conversations about ED with a healthcare professional may be challenging, but it’s important to keep in mind that a fulfilling sex life is integral to overall well-being.
To diagnose any physical issues, expect urine tests and blood tests. A check of your penis and testicles is common to be sure they look normal. A urologist may look for hair loss or enlarged breasts as a sign of a hormonal problem.
ED Treatment
The good news is whatever is preventing a man from enjoying healthy sex, there are options to treat it. Erectile dysfunction is treatable in almost all cases.
There are multiple treatments for ED and options for each cause. Sometimes it can be as simple as changing your medications.
Medications such as PDE-5 Inhibitors and testosterone replacement are commonly used for treatment of ED. Other treatment options include vacuum erection device, intracavernosal injections, and penile prosthesis.
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