What is Erectile Dysfunction?
Erectile dysfunction (ED), also known as impotence, is a term used to describe the inability to accomplish and/or maintain an erect penis for sexual function.
Having a problem with an erection once in a while is normal, but chronic ED can induce stress, affect self-esteem, and contribute to relationship issues. In addition, chronic ED can also be a sign of an underlying medical condition that needs to be addressed.
What Causes Erectile Dysfunction?
Although ED is common as men age, growing old is not the root cause. ED can be the result of an issue with any part of the complex process that is involved in achieving an erection, which includes blood vessels, hormones, nerves, muscles, the brain, and the person’s emotions. In some cases, ED may even be caused by a combination of physical and psychological problems. For example, a minor physical condition can lead to anxiety that can actually worsen ED down the line. Physical and psychological conditions that may cause ED include:
- Abuse of alcohol or other substances
- An enlarged prostate or prostate cancer treatments (e.g., radiation, surgery)
- Anxiety
- Atherosclerosis (clogged arteries)
- Certain medications
- Depression
- Diabetes
- Heart disease
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Injury or trauma to the pelvic area or spinal cord
- Mental health conditions
- Multiple sclerosis
- Obesity
- Parkinson’s disease
- Peyronie’s disease (scar tissue that develops in the penis)
- Relationship issues
- Sleep disorders
- Stress
- Tobacco use
Symptoms of Erectile Dysfunction
Symptoms of erectile dysfunction can affect both physical function and confidence. You may experience trouble getting an erection, difficulty keeping an erection, or erections that are not as firm as they used to be. These symptoms can happen occasionally or frequently, depending on the underlying cause and your overall health. The most common symptoms of erectile dysfunction include:
- Trouble achieving an erection
- Difficulty maintaining an erection
- Erections that feel less firm
- Reduced sexual confidence
- Fewer morning erections
- Trouble reaching orgasm (in some cases)
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Erectile Dysfunction Treatment Options
After treating any potential underlying condition, treatment options for erectile dysfunction, or combinations of them, can depend on the cause and severity. Options may include medications, pumps, surgeries, and implants.
Oral Medications
Oral medications for ED include:
- Avanafil (Stendra®)
- Sildenafil (Viagra®)
- Tadalafil (Cialis®)
- Vardenafil (Levitra®, Staxyn®)
These medications improve the effects of nitric oxide, a chemical the body naturally produces that relaxes the muscles in the penis. As a result, blood flow is increased, and an erection can occur following sexual stimulation. It should be noted that taking one of these medications will not immediately cause an erection; sexual stimulation is required to trigger the release of nitric oxide.
Other Medications
There are other medications available for erectile dysfunction that aren’t taken orally, such as:
- Injections that are made directly into the penis to help achieve an erection, such as the P-Shot®
- Testosterone replacement therapy due to low testosterone via a variety of delivery methods (e.g., patch, gel, intranasal)
- Suppositories that are inserted into the penile urethra (e.g., alprostadil urethral suppository)
Penis Pumps, Surgery, and Implants
Should medications fail to be effective, other treatment modalities may be an option to relieve the effects of ED, including:
- A penis pump, also known as a vacuum erection device, in which a tube is placed over the penis and a vacuum is created within the tube. This pulls blood into the penis to create an erection
- Blood vessel surgery that bypasses obstructed penile arteries (which is rarely performed and only in a small percentage of men)
- Penile implants inserted on both sides of the penis that are either inflatable (to be filled at-will to create an erection) or semi-rigid rods that keep the penis flexible, but firm
The Medical Staff
Our Board Certified Urologists
- Board-Certified Urologist
- Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery
- Board-Certified Urologist
- Urologic Oncology (Prostate, Kidney, Bladder, Testis, Adrenal)
- Board-Certified Urologist
- General Urology, Robotic & Minimally Invasive Surgery, Oncology, Transgender Surgery
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- Da Vinci Robotic Surgery, Bladder Problems, Overactive Bladder, Bladder Botox, Aquablation Therapy for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
- Board-Certified Urologist
- Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery
- Board-Certified Urologist
- Urologic Oncology (Prostate, Kidney, Bladder, Testis, Adrenal)
- Board-Certified Urologist
- General Urology, Robotic & Minimally Invasive Surgery, Oncology, Transgender Surgery
- Board-Certified Urologist
- Da Vinci Robotic Surgery, Bladder Problems, Overactive Bladder, Bladder Botox, Aquablation Therapy for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
Our Offices
Our Urology Offices
Our urology specialists are proud to provide compassionate, patient-focused urology care at our offices in Hillsborough and Somerville. When you visit Partners in Urology in Somerset County, you’ll receive care from a team dedicated to your health and well-being, no matter what condition or symptom you are facing.
Hillsborough, NJ
Hillsborough NJ 08844
Somerville, NJ
Somerville, NJ 08876
Hillsborough, NJ
Hillsborough NJ 08844
Somerville, NJ
Somerville, NJ 08876
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