Erectile Dysfunction: Treatment Options to Fit Your Life

Erectile dysfunction (ED) can be frustrating. It affects self-confidence, relationships, and overall wellness.

At Urology Specialists of Cypress in Cypress, Texas, we understand the serious toll that ED can take, and our goal is to help you find effective solutions that fit your unique needs. No matter how demoralized or frustrated you feel, there’s a path forward to help you reclaim your sexual health.

With more than 14 years of experience, our caring board-certified urologist, Dr. James Stocks, provides empathetic care, always making it easy for men to talk about their sexual health challenges.

Understanding ED and its causes

Knowing the best ED treatment starts with understanding its root causes. ED is a complex condition that can be caused by multiple factors, which may include:

• Poor blood flow
• Nerve damage
• Conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, or heart disease
• Hormonal imbalances
• Medication side-effects
• Psychological factors like stress, anxiety, or depression

Dr. Stocks starts with a comprehensive evaluation to uncover the underlying issues at play with your ED so he can recommend tailored treatments to fit your life.

Effective treatments for ED

Treating erectile dysfunction starts with managing underlying conditions, such as diabetes and high blood pressure. After addressing these factors, Dr. Stocks recommends the treatment that makes the most sense for your life. This may include:

Oral medications

Prescription medications like Viagra®, Cialis®, Levitra®, and Stendra® work in a unique way to increase blood flow to the penis. When you're aroused, your body releases nitric oxide. 

This triggers the production of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP,) which promotes relaxation of smooth muscle cells within the penis. This, in turn, leads to improved blood flow and allows erections.

Your body also makes PDE5, an enzyme that breaks cGMP down. These medications prevent that breakdown, which means you have improved blood flow for longer, allowing you to achieve and maintain erections. The medications require sexual arousal to work, as they don’t directly cause an erection.

Hormone replacement therapy

Low testosterone levels may contribute to ED. Restoring hormone balance with testosterone therapy may improve energy levels, libido, and erectile function.

Injections or suppositories

Alprostadil is a medication that increases blood flow to the penis. There are two ways to use it: Self-administered injections and small pellets (urethral suppositories.) The medication is designed to stimulate an erection within 5-20 minutes with injections or in 5-10 minutes using a pellet.

Shockwave therapy

Low-intensity shockwave therapy (LIST) sends focused sound waves to the penis. It can help improve blood flow and may even help you grow new blood vessels, which further improves blood flow to the penis to make it easier to get and maintain erections.

Pumps

Penis pumps are vacuum devices that fit over the penis. This device goes over your penis, then creates a vacuum that improves blood flow and causes an erection. A constriction ring placed at the base of the penis then helps maintain firmness during intercourse.

Implants

Penile implants are an option for men who haven't experienced good results from other nonsurgical approaches. Implants allow you to create an instant erection by bending a semirigid device inside the penis or by pressing a pump to inflate chambers implanted within the penis.

Every man struggling with ED has options. Dr. Stocks is ready to help you find the ones that best suit your life.

Where to start

With so many effective treatment options available, there’s no reason to let ED harm your quality of life any longer. You don’t have to navigate this challenge alone. Call Urology Specialists of Cypress at 281-304-2521 to book your appointment in Cypress, Texas, to explore personalized approaches with Dr. Stocks.