Erectile Dysfunction
Symptoms
Erectile dysfunction is the inability to obtain an erection that is sufficient for satisfactory intercourse. Millions of men in the United States suffer from erectile dysfunction and many men do not seek treatment for this very common problem. At Urology Centers of Alabama we specialize in the non-surgical and surgical treatment of erectile dysfunction.
Our surgeons and nurses have a strong commitment to treating patients with erectile dysfunction and their partners with compassion, respect and empathy. A man does not need to feel embarrassed when he comes to a physician or a nurse at Urology Centers of Alabama seeking treatment for erectile dysfunction. Our goal is to return patients to these most intimate and private activities that can truly improve the quality of life. The non-surgical and surgical treatment options for erectile dysfunction can be highly effective. We encourage you to begin the journey toward erectile restoration by coming to see us.
Causes of Erectile Dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction results from inadequate blood flow into the penis that would normally allow for a rigid erection. There are a number of medical conditions that can cause erectile dysfunction, but the most common causes are diabetes and high blood pressure. Other conditions such as spinal cord injury can also lead to erectile dysfunction or the side effects of radical surgeries used to treat prostate cancer or bladder cancer. As a man increases in age it is increasingly common for the quality and stiffness of his erections to diminish. Again, the good news is that regardless of the cause of erectile dysfunction we can almost always be successful with our treatments.
Non-surgical Options to Treat Erectile Dysfunction
Medications can be used to treat erectile dysfunction, such as Viagra, Levitra and Cialis. Oral medications are effective in about 70% of men with erectile dysfunction. Other non-surgical treatment options would include the use of penile injection therapy. In this treatment a small needle and syringe are used to inject medication directly into the penis. These medications can increase blood flow into the penis causing a firm erection. The discomfort associated with penile injection therapy is not severe and the risk of complications is low. A side effect of non-surgical treatments is priapism, an erection that persists for several hours. Adjustment of the dosage of medications injected is critical to avoiding priapism, and the physicians and nurses in our ED Department are well schooled in helping the patient to determine the appropriate dose of injectable medications. Another non-surgical treatment is a vacuum erection device (VED). It is a plastic cylinder that goes over the penis and produces a vacuum. The vacuum draws blood into the penis and then a rubber constriction ring placed around the base of the penis holds the blood in the penis allowing for penile rigidity. We work with a patient to instruct him how to use the VED.
Surgical Options to Treat Erectile Dysfunction
Penile Prosthesis are surgical treatments for men with erectile dysfunction. Penile prostheses are safe and have been used for several years and are continually being improved. Patients have several different types of prostheses to choose from and your prosthetic urologist will help you make the decision that is best for you.