About 30 million American men experience some form of erectile dysfunction in their life. For some, the condition can develop as early as 40, especially if they have an underlying medical condition.
At Urology Specialist Group in Miami Lakes and Hialeah, Florida, our skilled urologists provide compassionate care for men with erectile dysfunction. We take an integrative approach to improving your sexual wellness and can identify some of the physical health conditions that can contribute to ED.
Erectile dysfunction describes an inability to achieve or maintain an erection firm enough for sex. Men can develop temporary ED symptoms due to uncontrolled stress, relationship conflicts, or emotional distress.
However, ongoing ED symptoms can be the result of several underlying medical conditions. Because healthy erections involve a complex dance between your blood vessels, nerves, muscles, and brain, any conditions that affect these systems can contribute to erectile dysfunction.
Heart disease develops when blood can’t flow properly through the vessels throughout your body. Without sufficient blood flow to the penis, you may not be able to achieve a healthy erection.
You can also experience erectile dysfunction if you have conditions that increase your risk for heart disease, including hypertension (high blood pressure) and high cholesterol. Smoking can also increase your risk for both heart disease and ED.
Diabetes is another condition that can lead to ED. When your blood sugar levels are uncontrolled for too long, it can lead to damage in your blood vessels and nerves. It’s estimated that 75% of men with diabetes will develop erectile dysfunction.
Other physical conditions that can increase your risk for erectile dysfunction include:
You may also be at risk for erectile dysfunction if you have trauma to your genitals from an injury or surgery.
Our team at Urology Specialist Group provides physical exams, blood testing, and other diagnostic services to identify what's causing your erectile dysfunction. Based on the results of your testing, our providers customize a care plan to enhance your sexual performance and overall wellness.
You may benefit from lifestyle and diet changes that support healthy weight loss and make it easier to manage diabetes, heart disease, and other medical conditions.
Some men need medications to lower their blood pressure or treat other health issues. Medications are also available to relax penis muscles, so more blood can flow through to support a healthy erection. In some cases, hormone therapy may be necessary to increase low testosterone levels and restore balance in your body.
For moderate to severe ED symptoms, our physicians offer penis pumps, a battery-operated device that moves more blood into the penis to enhance your erection. Penile implants are also an option to address persistent erectile dysfunction issues.
If you’re frustrated by erectile dysfunction, call the Urology Specialist Group office near you to schedule a consultation or book a diagnostic evaluation online today.
