It’s estimated that 30 million men in America suffer from erectile dysfunction or ED. Although it’s commonly thought of as a condition affecting older men, it can happen to younger men. Brigham and Women’s Hospital discusses the causes of ED and erectile dysfunction treatment.
The main cause of ED is not enough blood getting to the penis in order to get it erect.
There are many causes of blood flow problems, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and hardened arteries. Treatment of ED also means treatment of these other health problems.Other causes of ED include side effects from certain surgeries, or radiation therapy.
ED can be treated in many ways. The first, and most commonly used, method is oral medication. If this doesn’t work, then the next step is to inject medication directly into the penis. If that doesn’t work, then medicated gel can be placed inside of the urethra. If none of these methods work, then the final option is surgery. Throughout this treatment process, patients will be encouraged to change their lifestyles, such as quitting smoking, in order to improve blood flow.
ED is not the end of the world. No matter the cause, there are many effective treatment options available from your doctor or urologist.
