Understanding Erectile Dysfunction: Causes, Treatment, and When to Seek Help

ByMagna Certre
male-sexual-dysfunction

Erectile Dysfunction, often referred to as ED, is a prevalent condition that affects many men worldwide. It’s characterized by the inability to achieve or maintain a firm erection that is adequate for a satisfactory sexual experience. While ED can be a challenging and frustrating issue, it’s essential to understand that help is available, and consulting a specialist doctor is the first step toward addressing this concern effectively.

This blog is drafted to raise a general awareness among the masses about erectile dysfunction and its related aspects. To make this post worth reading and enriching, the insights are taken from expert fertility doctors, like the expert infertility specialist at Magna Centre, who is renowned for providing male sexual dysfunction treatment in Hyderabad. Let’s start with understanding the causes of erectile dysfunction. 

 

Causes of Erectile Dysfunction

  1. Endothelial Dysfunction: This condition is often linked to chronic illnesses like diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol, which, if left untreated, can lead to ED.
  2. Neurogenic ED: Damage to nerves supplying the penile area, often caused by untreated diabetes or other neurological conditions like severe vitamin B12 deficiency or spinal cord injuries, can result in neurogenic ED.
  3. Psychogenic: ED can occur as a complication of depression or severe anxiety, often accompanied by a loss of libido and premature ejaculation
  4. Venous Insufficiency: This type of ED is rarer and typically treated by a urologist or an andrology specialist.
  5. Drug-Induced: Lifestyle-related illnesses lead to polypharmacy, with certain medications directly causing ED, such as antacids, chemotherapy drugs, anti-allergics, and some anti-hypertensives.
  6. Hormonal ED: Hormonal imbalances, including hypothyroidism, testosterone deficiency, excess prolactin, and cortisol, can contribute to ED.

 

Can ED Be Cured?

ED symptoms can vary, sometimes improving and then worsening. However, some causes of ED can be reversed, like hypothyroidism and testosterone deficiency. Treating these underlying causes can lead to symptom improvement. Lifestyle changes, including regular pranayama, exercise, and dietary modifications, can also help improve ED related to lifestyle-related illnesses.

 

When Should One See a Doctor for ED?

It’s essential to reach out to a doctor as soon as one suspects ED. The earlier one seeks help, the better their chances of successful treatment. A qualified physician or endocrinologist can assist in diagnosing the cause and making appropriate referrals to specialists if needed.

 

How Is ED Treated?

The management of ED begins with a comprehensive history-taking by the doctor. They will inquire about background illnesses, diet, smoking, alcohol habits, drug intake, and psychological symptoms contributing to ED. It’s essential to differentiate ED from loss of libido and premature ejaculation, as they require different investigations and treatments.

Endocrinologists may order hormonal tests like an 8 AM testosterone level, TSH, and prolactin to identify treatable causes of ED related to hormone imbalances. Correcting underlying conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia often leads to improvements.

Symptomatic treatment of ED includes drugs like PDE5 inhibitors (e.g., Sildenafil and Tadalafil). The timing of medication intake is crucial, so consult a doctor for guidance. Urologists may perform procedures like intraurethral medicine insertion, penile injections, or even penile prosthesis implantation for more complicated cases.

 

Conclusion

ED is a common condition with various causes, some of which are treatable. Seeking timely medical help, understanding the underlying cause, and following the recommended treatment can lead to significant improvements in ED, ultimately restoring a fulfilling sexual life. Don’t hesitate to consult a specialist to address any concerns about ED and explore suitable treatment options. If one is looking for a male infertility doctor in Hyderabad, they can consult with the expert male infertility specialist at Magna Centre.

Magna Centre is a cutting-edge center for excellence in Endocrinology. Our mission is to offer all of our patients with endocrine problems specialised, ethically sound, evidence-based health care. Diabetes and metabolic issues, endocrine cancers and tumours, thyroid issues, issues with sexual function and reproduction, problems with calcium and bone, and many more issues are some of the frequent disorders that endocrinology deals with. We have a team of highly skilled endocrinologists, diabetologists, dieticians, preventive cardiologists, urologists, and many more professionals because these conditions call for frequent medical checkups by a doctor and high-quality testing facilities. Our goal is to offer our patients a first-rate experience by bringing an advanced, highly integrated healthcare team under one roof at a reasonable price.

https://www.magnacode.co.in/