Erectile Dysfunction Treatment in Northern New Jersey
Erectile dysfunction (ED) often has a serious impact on quality of life. Fortunately, there are a range of treatment options available for this common condition. Bergen Medical Associates is a multi-specialty medical provider serving patients in northern New Jersey with urology services, including diagnosis and treatment of ED along with many other medical issues. Learn more about ED and treatment options from Bergen Medical Associates.
What Is Erectile Dysfunction?
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a medical condition in males that causes trouble getting or keeping an erection. An erection is a natural response in a male’s body when he becomes sexually aroused, causing blood to flow into the penis. Many factors can affect a man’s ability to get or keep an erection, including emotions, alcohol intake, fatigue, and more. Therefore, most men will have trouble getting or keeping an erection at some point.
However, in patients with erectile dysfunction, the blood flow to the penis is reduced, and this leads to difficulty getting an erection regularly. Some patients may be able to get an erection, but they don’t stay firm enough for sexual intercourse. This can cause problems with a patient’s sex life, confidence, and relationships.
What Are Erectile Dysfunction Signs and Symptoms?
Erectile dysfunction is quite common, with researchers estimating that it affects over 50% of men between the ages of 40 and 70. The signs and symptoms that men experience when they have ED include:
- Difficulty getting an erection
- Being able to get an erection but not being able to maintain it for sexual intercourse
- Complete inability to get an erection
- Loss of sex drive
Men can also experience performance anxiety, nervousness, and depression resulting from ED.
What Are the Causes and Risk Factors of Erectile Dysfunction?
There are various causes of erectile dysfunction, including:
- Certain conditions or diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and vascular disease
- Low testosterone levels
- Injuries to the penis and surrounding areas such as a penile fracture, pelvic surgery, etc.
- Certain medications like antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications, and blood pressure medications
- Substances like alcohol, marijuana, nicotine, and other drugs
- Psychological conditions such as depression, anxiety, trauma, etc.
There are also risk factors that may make a man more likely to experience erectile dysfunction, including being older than 40, being overweight, being physically inactive, or smoking.
How Is Erectile Dysfunction Diagnosed?
When a man comes to their healthcare provider with erection complaints, the doctor may refer them to a urologist for diagnosis. The urologist will go through a few diagnostic tests to determine if ED is the cause. The urologist typically will ask the patient about their personal medical and sexual history to gain insight into other potential causes. They will perform a physical exam and may order other tests like:
- Blood tests to check testosterone, cholesterol, and other levels
- Urine tests to look for signs of diabetes, infection, or other underlying conditions
- Ultrasounds to look for problems with blood flow
What Are Treatment Options for Erectile Dysfunction?
Treatment options for erectile dysfunction range from mild and non-invasive to more complex options. The best treatment for each patient will depend on what causes their ED and the severity of their symptoms. Options include:
Lifestyle Changes
Making lifestyle changes is recommended for patients whose erectile dysfunction may be caused or exacerbated by their actions or routines. This includes patients who struggle to get an erection because they drink a lot of alcohol or are overweight. Changes that can help improve ED include:
- Exercising regularly
- Losing weight
- Avoiding alcohol and other substances
- Speaking to a counselor or sex therapist
- Quitting smoking
- Lowering cholesterol or high blood pressure
Medicines
A common treatment option for ED is medications, both oral and injectable options. Oral medications help enhance the nitric oxide in the body to relax the penis and increase blood flow. These oral medicines do not cause an erection immediately – sexual stimulation is required to get them working.
Injectable and suppository medication options are more of an instant solution than oral medications. They are either injected into the penis or placed inside the urethra to create an erection quickly that can last between 30 to 60 minutes.
Testosterone Replacement
Men with ED caused by low testosterone levels can benefit from testosterone replacement therapy as a treatment. Testosterone is given to the patient via a gel, injection, patches, or pellets to increase their levels and allow them to get an erection. It may be given alone or alongside other treatments.
Penis Pumps
A penis pump, also called a vacuum constriction device, is an option for men with ED who have not experienced success with other treatment options. This device usually is battery-powered and helps create a vacuum around the penis to pull blood into the area and create an erection.
Surgery
In some cases, surgery is necessary to correct erectile dysfunction. Doctors will discuss options with patients, going over what a procedure involves, how to prepare, and what the recovery entails.
Speaking to a doctor about erectile dysfunction can be difficult, but getting a diagnosis and seeking treatment options like the ones mentioned above is essential.
Learn More About Erectile Dysfunction Treatment Today
Patients struggling with erectile dysfunction do not have to let their confidence and sex lives be affected — they can access comprehensive treatment at Bergen Medical Associates. With more than two decades of experience, Bergen Medical Associates has earned a trusted reputation for providing high-quality care at our office locations in the northern New Jersey area. Request an appointment today to learn more about erectile dysfunction treatment options at Bergen Medical Associates.
