Associate Professor of Urology, Director of Newport Beach Urology, Director of Men's Health, Chief, Division of Men's Health and Reconstructive Urology
It’s true that sexual function declines with age, but recent research shows that many aging men and women engage in sexual activity, and 50 percent of older adults indicate that sex is an important part of their lives. (3) In addition to these findings, researchers indicate that there has been a sharp rise in erectile dysfunction, delayed ejaculation, reduced libido and decreased sexual satisfaction in men under the age of 40. This may be caused by porn-induced erectile dysfunction, a growing problem that’s caused by the ease and accessibility of internet pornography.
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Erectile dysfunction (ED), formerly termed impotence, is defined as the persistent inability to develop or maintain a penile erection allowing for satisfactory sexual performance.1 ED is an important public health problem and can cause serious distress to men, particularly affecting their masculinity and self-esteem.2,3 The Massachusetts Male Aging Study reported an overall prevalence of 52% for any degree of ED and demonstrated that prevalence clearly increases with age.3 For instance, the annual incidence rate reported was 12.4 cases per 1,000 man-years, 29.8 and 46.4 for men aged 40 to 49, 50 to 59, and 60 to 69 years, respectively.3
Tablets for erectile dysfunction are called phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) inhibitors such as sildenafil (Viagra, Silvasta, Vedafil), tadalafil (Cialis) and vardenafil (Levitra). These medicines usually enable an erection by relaxing the blood vessels in your penis, but only when you are stimulated or aroused. They are all similarly effective. Read more about PDE5 inhibitors and frequently asked questions about their use.
Managing other health conditions and making the necessary lifestyle changes are important to help overcome erectile dysfunction. That’s why our team at the Male Infertility & Sexual Health Program at UH uses a specialized, team-based approach to deliver expert and highly individual ED care.
All of this is why they require a prescription. Your consulting physician will determine what will be safe and effective for you based on your medical history and any current medications that you use. Thankfully, PDE-5 medications for ED are prescribed very widely, and the healthcare community considers them safe for most men, with rare and mostly mild side effects reported.
Usually you’ll only need a handful of sessions. You may want to include your partner, as well.
Thankfully, it’s also a condition that is very treatable in 2022. There are several ED treatments proven to work for most men with ED. The question becomes: what is the best ED treatment for you?
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia/BPH, Erectile Dysfunction, General Urology, Kidney Stones, Male Sexual Health, Overactive Bladder (OAB), Prostate Cancer, Scrotal/Testicular/Penile Surgeries, Urinary Incontinence, Varicoceles More...
DiabetesDiabetes is a known risk factor for ED, and its prevalence in patients with diabetes is estimated to be greater than 50%. When compared to a healthy control group, men with diabetes were found to be 3.5 times more likely to have ED than those without diabetes.21 While PDE5Is have proven to be highly efficacious in the treatment of ED, men with diabetes tend to have a poorer response with this drug class compared with those without, although some of the evidence is mixed. Because the release of NO is mediated by neuronal and endothelial NO synthase, it is postulated that neuropathy and endothelial disease (commonly diagnosed in patients with diabetes) diminish the effects of PDE5Is.22
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Your doctor may make suggestions to improve your overall health, including the health of your heart and circulatory system. Increasing your amount of exercise, eating well, and ensuring that you get sufficient vitamins and minerals can help with this overall wellbeing. Another recommendation may be reducing or eliminating your use of drugs, tobacco, or alcohol. Your doctor may also recommend losing weight.
In alternative medicine practices, ginseng is used as an adaptogen to help improve physical and sexual function, boost general vitality, and fight aging. Some research also suggests that ginseng and compounds in the root called ginsenosides may be beneficial for supporting immunity and cognitive function and preventing cancer, diabetes, and other conditions.
During the procedure, your urologist will move a wand-like device around different areas of your penis. Urologists at U of U Health use DUOLITH® devices, which emit gentle pulses that trigger increased blood flow. The entire treatment lasts approximately 15 minutes.
However, speak to a pharmacist or doctor before taking it if you're trying to get pregnant.
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