Erectile Dysfunction and ED Treatment Overview
Plano, Frisco and Dallas, Texas area urologist, Dr. Mark Allen, recently stated that more men are choosing to seek treatment for the symptoms associated with erectile dysfunction because of advancements in new ED treatment alternatives. “Millions of men are affected by impotence each year, but thanks to the new procedures and treatment techniques that are available today, many of these men will be able to resume a healthy and happy sexual relationship.”
Erectile dysfunction is termed as the inability to obtain or maintain an erection as is necessary for sexual satisfaction. The severity of the dysfunction varies from one man to another. One man may be able to achieve but not maintain an erection while another may not be able to obtain an erection at all. It is possible for erectile dysfunction to affect a man at any age, but it is pretty uncommon among men less than 40 years of age and only 5% of the national average reflects men of this age group. At age 45-50 the statistic jumps to 15%. Erectile dysfunction affects 20% of men 50-55, and 50% of men between 70-80 years of age.
Causes of Erectile Dysfunction
ED is often categorized two ways: psychological and physical.
- Erectile dysfunction can occur if physiological factors exist. These factors may include anxiety or depression, as well as fatigue, stress and worry. Mental illness, mental distractions and personal taste are also psychological reasons as to why a man might experience ED.
- Physical causes of ED generally affect a particular step in the erection sequence. These steps include the initial filling of the penis, and then can affect the process that involves a partial, full or rigid erection. Certain diseases or conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, or cardiovascular disease may contribute to impotence in some men. In addition, certain prescription drugs, alcohol or drug abuse, excessive weight loss or weight gain, body trauma such as a spinal chord injury, hormone problems, and aging are also factors.
Erectile dysfunction can have a profound effect on the quality of a man’s life. It can drain his self-confidence and self-esteem and also increase anxiety and depression. While men view impotence as a condition that brings embarrassment and shame, it’s important to know that there is help.
ED Treatment Options
The first and most important step to battling this issue is to see your urologist. You may be in early enough stages to treat your impotence with medication. Urologists commonly prescribe medication such as Viagra, Levitra, and Cialsis, which are taken orally and may help to achieve an erection. If the stage of your impotence is beyond medication then you and your doctor may decide to talk about more aggressive ED treatment options.
According to Dallas, Texas urologist, Dr. Mark Allen, “There are a number of treatment alternatives that are proving to be very successful for countless men. One treatment in particular is the use of penile implants which are concealed entirely within the body. Penile implants from AMS have helped over 300,000 men return to an active sex life, and clinical outcomes show high satisfaction among patients and their partners.
A penile implant (also called a penile prosthesis), once in place, does require some degree of manipulation before and after intercourse to make the penis erect or flaccid. Thus this may not be suitable for all men. It is a surgical procedure for impotence that offers various types of implants, including the semi-rigid non-inflatable, and the inflatable.
The semi-rigid is a series of flexible rods that are surgical implanted to support the penis. With these rods, the man is able to manually place the penis in the upward position for intercourse, or downward for daily activities. The inflatable prosthesis is more complex, but yields good results. With an inflatable penile prosthesis, a pump filled with liquid is placed inside the scrotum. Then a reservoir is placed inside the penis. When a man is ready to receive an erection his simply squeezes the scrotum, and the liquid is transferred to the reservoir inside the penis which causes an erection. When the man is ready to deflate the erections he presses a release valve which returns the liquid to the pump.
A few of the most commonly used penile prosthetics are:
- AMS 700 Series—A 3-piece inflatable penis implant available in a variety of sizes and models. It consists of a reservoir that is placed within the abdomen, a pump places inside the scrotum, and a pair of cylinders placed inside the penis. This prosthesis is favored among recipients because it expands the girth of the penis, and it feels most like a natural erection when compared with other implants. It is also favored because when flaccid, it looks and feels most natural.
- AMS Ambicor—A 2-Piece Inflatable penis implant. Consists of a pair of reservoirs implanted in the penis, and a single pump bulb implanted in the scrotum. The pump is compressed to receive an erection, and the erection is bent to deflate the prosthesis. It is totally concealed within the body, and is more natural when flaccid then the non-inflatable implant.
- AMS Spectra—This is a non-inflatable penis implant. It is a sterile, non-pyrogenic, single-use implant. It includes a pair of cylinders surgically inserted into the penis which is manually positioned by the male. It is easy to use by the male or the partner. It is totally concealed within the body, and is the easiest surgical option. Its general complaint is that it remains firm no matter the position it is placed in.
As with all medical procedures, there are advantages and disadvantages to each of these procedures. Once the decision has been made to seek treatment through a penis implant, it’s important to look at each option and determine which will be best suited for your current lifestyle. Your urologist will help guide you and assist you in deciding which one is the most recommended for your particular situation.
For additional information on erectile dysfunction, or to discuss ED treatment options, please contact the Plano, Frisco and Dallas, Texas area office of Dr. Mark Allen.
