You Don’t Have to Live with Erectile Dysfunction

Most men struggle with erections once in a while. But, when the problem becomes chronic, it’s called erectile dysfunction (ED). This frustrating condition grows more common with age — but that doesn’t mean you have to live with it.

The Urology Care Foundation estimates that about 30 million men live with erectile dysfunction today. None of them have to do so. While erectile dysfunction can stem from many things, there’s always a solution that can help you enjoy a healthier and happier sex life. Simply reach out for our help.

Here at Urology Specialists of Cypress, our experienced board-certified urologist Dr. James Stocks, is an ED specialist who’s known for his gentle care. Many men suffer for months or even years before they talk to a doctor about ED, but we’re working to change that.

Our approach is one of compassion and understanding. We’re here to make it easier to talk about your challenges and get solutions that improve your quality of life.

We want you to know that ED is a problem you can overcome, regardless of what caused it. Here’s how we can help:

Finding the cause of erectile dysfunction

The first step in overcoming ED is finding the cause. Many men assume it’s related to aging, but that’s usually not the whole story.

Around 50% of men aged 40-70 experience some type of ED. But, one study showed that about one-quarter of men seeking ED treatment are under 40.

So, while ED is common in aging men, it isn’t necessarily only a result of growing older. Instead, it's often related to problems that happen to grow more common with age, such as:

Heart disease
High blood pressure
High cholesterol
Diabetes
Extra weight
Low testosterone

Dr. Stocks asks you many questions and reviews your complete medical history to look for potential causes of your ED. Depending on his findings, he may request lab tests or imaging exams to evaluate your blood vessels and other aspects of your health.

Your evaluation helps find all the factors that contribute to your erectile dysfunction so we can create your treatment plan.

You don’t have to live with erectile dysfunction

There are solutions for every cause of erectile dysfunction. First, we treat your connected conditions. For instance, you might need help with diabetes, high cholesterol, or high blood pressure management. Sometimes, treating those underlying conditions is all you need to resume a healthy active sex life.

Other treatments depend on ED causes, with common approaches including:

Oral medication

Oral medications, such as Viagra®, Cialis®, Levitra®, and Stendra®, work by improving local blood flow to your penis, allowing you to get a strong erection. You can take these medications as needed, once a day, before you want to have intercourse.

Testosterone therapy

Low testosterone levels are common and can strongly influence your sexual desire and performance. Testosterone therapy, often in the form of implanted pellets or injections, replaces the hormones lost to aging.

Shockwave therapy

Low-intensity shockwave therapy (LIST) is an experimental treatment for ED. It works by administering low-intensity sound waves to the blood vessels around the penis. The treatment helps break down plaque buildup inside blood vessels, increasing local blood flow so you can get erections more easily.

Injection therapy

With injection therapy, you inject medication into your penis to achieve an erection. The most common example is TriMix, a compound containing three generic drugs: alprostadil, phentolamine, and papaverine. You self-administer an injection around 10 minutes before you want to have sex. Some drugs also have alternative versions, like suppositories.

Penis pumps

A penis pump is a tube that encases your penis. You use the attached pump to create a vacuum, leading to an erection. A tension ring, a small band, fits onto the bottom of the penis to help it stay erect during intercourse.

Penile implants

Penile implants are generally an option used when no other treatments are successful. With this approach, Dr. Stocks performs surgery to implant inflatable or flexible rods inside your penis. Then, you can reliably control your erections.

These are only some of the treatment options available for erectile dysfunction today. Rest assured, we’ll find a plan that works for you. We’re here with compassionate ED care anytime you need us. Call our Urology Specialists of Cypress office at 281-304-2521 or contact us online today.