About Erectile Dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction, also known as ED or impotence, is the inability to achieve and maintain an erection suitable for a satisfactory sexual performance. This may lead to significant interference with intimacy.

• Is erectile dysfunction common?

  Yes. Erectile dysfunction is very common in men over the age of 50, with nearly half of men age 40 to 70 years expressing some level of trouble. Estimates suggest that more than 30 million men in the United States may suffer from erectile dysfunction.

• What causes erectile dysfunction?

  While many medical conditions can cause erectile dysfunction, most of the common causes disrupt the blood flow to the penis. The process has been associated with high cholesterol, high blood pressure, smoking, obesity, and diabetes. Other causes of erectile dysfunction include injury to the penis, hormonal imbalance, psychological problems, or even a side effect of certain medications.

• Can erectile dysfunction be successfully treated?

  Thankfully, yes. The vast majority of cases can be treated successfully. The experts at Minnesota Urology are well trained to provide treatment options for erectile dysfunction, striving to stay on the leading edge of the latest and best options for you.

• What treatment options are available?

  Treatment options for ED come in many different forms, including oral medication, urethral suppositories, vacuum erection devices, injection therapy, and surgical options such as penile implants. Each man is unique, so we can help you select the treatment option that is best for you.

• Could it be psychological?

  Most all erection problems are caused by physical problems, not psychological issues. It is very common and normal to have some degree of anxiousness, stress, or even depression because of erectile dysfunction. We can help you with that.

• What happens when I make an appointment for my erectile dysfunction?

  When you make an appointment with one of our experts, our first priority is to treat you with respect and discretion. Many men come to Minnesota Urology for treatment of erectile dysfunction. You are not alone. Since ED can be associated with so many other medical conditions, your expert will conduct a thorough medical history and physical examination. This can identify the risk factors (smoking, high cholesterol, medication side effects) that may have led to the problem. The history alone will be sufficient to explain most cases of erectile dysfunction. Your expert may choose to conduct some laboratory tests to understand other factors that may be involved. A physical exam will identify problems such as Peyronie’s disease (penile curvature) or prostate problems that may be contributing to your erectile dysfunction.

• The following types of treatments are offered at Minnesota Urology:

  Oral Medication

  There are four current oral prescription medications for the treatment of erectile dysfunction – Sildenafil (Viagra®), Vardenafil (Levitra®), Tadalafil (Cialis®), and Avanafil (Stendra®). The drug that works best for you with the least side effects is the best. At Minnesota Urology, we often have samples of all of these medications. These medications work with the natural chemicals in your body to enhance your normal blood flow, increasing blood flow to the penis, giving you an erection. The medications do not work for all men and may stop working over time if your erectile dysfunction becomes more severe.

   

  Penile Self-Injection

  Self-injection involves using a short, thin needle to inject medication directly into the spongy tissue of the penis. The medication increases the arterial blood to the penis, resulting in an erection. A combination of several medications is often used in one injection. Most men are very nervous about injecting medication into the penis, but for most men, the injection itself is not painful, and we take the time to instruct you in the office to make sure you are performing the injections correctly.

   

  Muse® Urethral Suppository

  Using a small plastic delivery system, you can insert a small pellet down the end of the penis into the urethra (the tube draining the bladder). The medication is absorbed through the urethra into the erectile tissue, resulting in an erection. This medication works for about 40-50% of men.

   

  Vacuum Erection Devices

  Vacuum devices work by manually pulling blood into the penis, creating an erection. Once created, the erection is maintained by pushing a rubber ring or “O-ring” onto the base of the penis. Vacuum pumps are easy to use and work regardless of the cause of your erectile dysfunction.

   

  Surgical Penile Implants

  Penile implants involve surgical placement of an internal device to replace the process of obtaining and maintaining an erection. Once the surgery is healed, the implants look and feel very natural. Because the implant is hidden inside the body, no one other than your partner will know you have an implant. Penile implants have a very high satisfaction rate for both patients and their partners. They feel very natural and enable full control over when and how long you can have an erection, thus restoring the spontaneity of intimacy.