KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- Erectile dysfunction is a common issue, affecting half of all men over the age of 40.
- Various factors can contribute to erectile dysfunction, including aging, low hormone levels, smoking, alcohol use, and vascular disease.
- A wide range of treatment options is available, from oral medications to surgical interventions, and the Advanced Urology Institute offers comprehensive care for patients with erectile dysfunction.
The Prevalence of Erectile Dysfunction
Dr. Dinesh S. Rao, a respected urologist in Ocala, FL, explains that erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common issue faced by many men, particularly those over the age of 40. In fact, half of all men over 40 experience some degree of erectile dysfunction. Despite its prevalence, many patients feel hesitant or embarrassed to discuss the issue with their healthcare providers.
Causes of Erectile Dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction can be caused by various factors. Some well-known causes include smoking and alcohol use. However, other factors, such as aging, low hormone levels, and vascular disease, can also contribute to ED. Dr. Rao emphasizes that heart disease and high cholesterol can have a profound effect on erections, further highlighting the importance of addressing underlying health issues.
Treatment Options for Erectile Dysfunction
When treating erectile dysfunction, Dr. Rao and his team at the Advanced Urology Institute screen for basic causes and attempt to reverse them where possible. They also offer a wide range of treatment options to suit each patient’s unique needs. These include:
- Oral medications: Common medications, such as Viagra, Levitra, and Cialis, are often the first line of treatment for erectile dysfunction.
- Mechanical devices: Vacuum erection aids can help those who do not tolerate oral medications.
- Injectable therapies: Available at local pharmacies, these treatments are another option for those who cannot take oral medications. Dr. Rao’s team teaches patients how to administer injectable therapies safely and effectively.
- Surgical interventions: Penile implantations are an option for patients who have not found success with other treatments.
Advanced Urology Institute: Comprehensive Care for Erectile Dysfunction
The Advanced Urology Institute, the largest urology practice in Florida, is dedicated to providing comprehensive care for patients with erectile dysfunction. Dr. Dinesh S. Rao and his team of skilled urologists work closely with each patient to determine the most effective treatment options, ensuring the best possible outcomes.
TRANSCRIPTION:
Many of my patients have erectile dysfunction and many of them are afraid to bring it up. There’s always some hesitation or embarrassment involved. There’s a feeling that it’s just me or there’s something wrong with me. The interesting thing is, and many people don’t know, that half of all men over the age of 40 have erectile dysfunction. So it’s extremely common, not uncommon. And there’s many, many different causes.
Some of the things I think a lot of people are aware of, things like smoking and alcohol use, but also just aging, low hormone levels, and vascular disease apply to erectile dysfunction. If you have some element of heart disease or high cholesterol, it can make a profound effect on erections. When people come in with that problem, we screen for the basic causes and see if we can reverse some of those things, but there’s also many different types of treatments available. So we certainly have all of the different available here in our practice. Some of the most basic things include medicines, medications that people have probably heard of, things like Viagra or Levitra or Cialis. There’s also mechanical devices like vacuum erection aids that can help in people who don’t tolerate those types of medicines. We have injectable therapies that are also available and they’re available to local pharmacies and we teach people how to use them. And we even do surgeries, things like penile implantations for people who don’t succeed with other options.
REFERENCES:
- “Erectile Dysfunction (ED): Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment.” https://www.urologyhealth.org/urology-a-z/e/erectile-dysfunction-(ed).
- “Erectile Dysfunction (ED): Causes, Diagnosis & Treatment.” 14 Oct. 2019, https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/10035-erectile-dysfunction.
- “Erectile dysfunction: Nonoral treatments – Mayo Clinic.” https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/erectile-dysfunction/in-depth/nonoral-erectile-dysfunction-treatments/art-20045578.
