What is erectile dysfunction?
Many men; He struggles with impotence, known as the inability to get or maintain an erection, which results in the dissatisfaction of both partners. If you are suffering from erectile dysfunction, also known as impotence, you are not alone. Recent studies conducted in America have identified 20 million male patients with impotence problems in America alone. Beyond making the patient feel ashamed, it also damages the person’s self-confidence. If you have been suffering from erection problems for a while, it would be beneficial to review the treatment options that are most suitable for you.
What are the causes of erectile dysfunction?
Stress, fatigue, or relationship problems are all contributing factors to erectile dysfunction. In addition, underlying heart diseases may also show their first symptoms as impotence. Sedatives, allergy medications, diuretics, blood pressure medications and psychiatric medications are the main drug groups that cause impotence. Consumption of alcohol and tobacco also worsens the situation. Impotence is also seen in diseases such as diabetes and arteriosclerosis, which cause a decrease in blood flow to the penis. Psychological factors are more prominent in younger men, but a detailed examination is still required.
How is erectile dysfunction diagnosed?
First of all, the most important part is that the urologist takes a complete anamnesis (history) of the patient’s sexual problems. Once all the factors that have a positive or negative impact on impotence are determined, physical examination is quite successful in making a full diagnosis. Other underlying diseases are evaluated with laboratory tests including blood and urine tests. Imaging (penile doppler ultrasound) may be requested depending on the patient’s condition.
How is erectile dysfunction treated?
Regardless of the cause of erectile dysfunction, certain treatment protocols are available. These protocols; These may be medications, vacuum devices or surgery (penile prosthesis, etc.). Shock wave therapy, the most natural treatment protocol, has gradually begun to be used as the first choice in treatment all over the world. The success rates of these protocols reach up to 90%, depending on the degree of impotence and the severity of the underlying disease. If the erection problem occurs due to psychological reasons, it would be appropriate to be directed to psychotherapy.
Medicines
These types of drugs (pentoxifylline, yohimbine, sildenafil, tadalafil, vardenafil, etc.) are taken orally 1 hour before sexual intercourse. These drugs increase blood flow to the penis. Due to its side effects, it should be used with caution and long-term effects should be taken into consideration.
Vacuum treatment
Vacuum therapy is the safest form of treatment after shock wave therapy. When done together with shock wave therapy, success rates are around 90%. The vacuum device placed on the penis draws the blood into the penis and keeps it there. The erection is maintained with a plastic ring slid towards the root of the penis. The ring should be removed immediately after intercourse.
Penile prosthesis (Happiness stick)
Penile prostheses are seen as the last option among these treatment groups, as they are both very expensive and complex procedures. There are many varieties available. Semi-rigid ones provide constant rigidity, while more complicated ones can be inflated from a reservoir placed in the ovaries. Although inflatable ones provide a better erection, long-term complications should be explained to the patient in terms of what they may experience.
Shock Wave Therapy
It is the newest generation treatment method that does not require medication or surgery. Shock waves given at low intensity are painless and their success rate is around 90%. It is the most natural and safe form of sexual treatment as it has no side effects and does not require surgery.
Surgical
Nowadays, it is only used for erection problems due to anatomical disorders of the penis.
What are the frequently asked questions about erectile dysfunction?
When should I consult a urologist?
If your erectile dysfunction lasts longer than two months or has become frequently recurring, you should definitely consult a doctor. When the cause is determined exactly, the success rate is very high.
What should I do to prevent erectile dysfunction?
- Restricting alcohol intake
- Reducing stress
- adequate sleep
- Fighting anxiety and depression
- Regular doctor checks and tests
When should sex drugs not be used?
It should not be used in diseases involving circulation, such as heart attack, stroke, or life-threatening heart rhythm disorders, without consulting a specialist. You should also consult your doctor as sexual activity can lead to heart problems. Shock Wave therapy is considered to be the best alternative to using sexual pills today.
