Erectile dysfunction, is a problem that affects millions of men around the world, called sexual impotence, is characterized by a man's persistent difficulty in obtaining or maintaining an erection suitable for satisfactory sexual intercourse. Despite being a subject that is often neglected or treated with embarrassment, erectile dysfunction is a serious medical condition that can have a significant impact on quality of life and interpersonal relationships. In this text, we will explore the causes, risk factors, symptoms, and treatment options available for this condition, as well as discuss the importance of seeking appropriate medical help to deal with this problem effectively and comprehensively.
What is erectile dysfunction?
Erectile dysfunction is a man's inability to achieve and maintain an erection for penetrative sexual intercourse. This condition can be a sign of ongoing chronic illnesses or even psychological problems, which affect the quality of life of individuals and their partnerships.
It is worth mentioning that not being able to have a regular erection does not always mean having sexual impotence. But if this problem occurs frequently, the ideal is to consult your urologist for a better evaluation.
It is estimated that 100 million men worldwide have some degree of erectile dysfunction, being even more common in individuals over 40 years of age.
How to treat erectile dysfunction?
O erectile dysfunction treatment It can have different approaches, depending on the level of impotence and causes of the problem. Treatment measures always start with less invasive procedures that only move to more invasive ones if they are not effective.
However, an alternative that has been quite effective for the treatment of sexual impotence, It is low-intensity shock wave therapy, responsible for acting directly on the cause of the disease.
This approach is recommended for patients with erectile dysfunction of vascular origin. (caused by hypertension, diabetes, atherosclerosis or age).
Main treatments for Erectile Dysfunction
There are several treatment options for erectile dysfunction, which vary depending on the underlying cause and the patient's general health. Some of the most common treatments include:
- Oral medications:
Phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors are often prescribed to improve blood flow to the penis, thus making it easier to obtain and maintain an erection.
If erectile dysfunction is caused by low testosterone levels, hormone replacement therapy may be recommended to restore normal hormone levels.
Medicines that can be injected directly into the penis to promote an erection.
- Vacuum Pump Therapy:
This device creates a vacuum around the penis, drawing blood into the organ and causing an erection. A rubber ring is then placed at the base of the penis to maintain the erection.
In severe cases and when other treatments are not effectives, a surgeon can implant devices in the penis to allow an artificial erection on demand.
In addition to these options, lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking, reducing alcohol consumption, losing weight and exercising regularly can help improve erectile function in some cases. It is important to consult a doctor to determine the best treatment approach for each individual.
Definitive treatment for erectile dysfunction
To address erectile dysfunction when other treatments are not effective, the final option is penile implant surgery. There are three main types of prostheses: semi-rigid, inflatable and articulating, all capable of providing satisfactory results.
- Inflatable implant: Provides a natural appearance during men's daily activities.
- Semi-rigid or malleable: Despite being the simplest option, it is highly effective and functional.
- Articulable: Although they have a higher cost and slightly lower vertical stiffness due to their articulated sections, articulating prostheses are gradually being replaced by other types due to their lower popularity.
What is shockwave therapy for erectile dysfunction?
Shock wave therapy for erectile dysfunction is another very innovative method, non-invasive, painless and without side effects.
As you already know, for the penis to have a good erection, it must be completely filled with blood, a condition that allows the sexual organ to become rigid. Consequently, any condition that compromises the blood supply to the penis can result in sexual impotence.
In this sense, Improving blood flow to the sexual organ represents a therapeutic approach to erectile dysfunction. Therefore, shock wave therapy aims to restore the vascularization of the penile cavernous tissue, thus promoting the recovery of erectile function.
During treatment, low-intensity shock waves are applied across the entire length of the sexual organ. It's not electricity, just sound waves that stimulate the stem cells of the penis.
These applications will stimulate the formation of new blood vessels in the corpora cavernosa of the sexual organ and improve blood flow in the member.
When applied, these acoustic waves will propagate, interact in a great depth in the sexual organ and provoke biological reactions, such as the neovascularization of the penile tissue.
With treatment, a significant percentage of patients return to having natural and spontaneous erections, without the use of medication or any other artificial mechanism. This effect has already been proven in several studies around the world.
However, it is always good to reinforce that everyone Positive results in relation to treatment response depend on the patient's stage of erectile dysfunction.
This procedure is also recommended for patients who have blood flow problems in the penis. due to aging, diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol or obesity.
Men with erectile dysfunction caused by Peyronie's disease and after prostate surgery may also benefit from the therapy.
Read more:
How to increase penile circulation
Conclusion
Treating impotence is extremely beneficial to men's health, not just because it improves sexual function.
Therefore, be sure to seek medical help if you have any questions and, of course, remember that good habits also help in this process and improve your health as a whole.
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Dr. Marco Túlio Cavalcanti Urologist and Andrologist. Erectile Dysfunction and Sexual Impotence: put an end to this torment. Penis Prosthesis: the resumption of your sex life. Peyronie's disease: correction of curvature, recovery of the size and caliber of the penis. Hormone Replacement: resume your performance.
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