Erectile Dysfunction (ED) Treatment in Delhi & Gurgaon
Understanding Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment and Management of Erectile Dysfunction
Illustration showing erectile function and common causes of ED
What is Erectile Dysfunction (ED)?
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a type of penile disorder that affects your ability to get and maintain an erection firm enough for sexual intercourse.
Your feelings play a major role in getting and maintaining an erection. Feeling relaxed, confident and aroused is essential. But it's normal to sometimes have erection issues. Erection problems can occur if you feel nervous, anxious, frustrated or tired. Drinking alcohol and/or using substances can also have an effect. It can also result from other conditions or as a side effect of certain medications or cancer treatments.
Important: If you're having difficulty getting or maintaining an erection, it's a good idea to schedule an appointment with a healthcare provider for further discussion. In many cases, ED can be the first symptom of another underlying problem, including heart disease.
Other names for erectile dysfunction include:
What are the types of erectile dysfunction?
Healthcare providers separate ED into several categories:
Vascular Erectile Dysfunction
Includes causes that affect the blood vessels that send blood to the tissues in your penis. Vascular ED is the most common type of ED.
Neurogenic Erectile Dysfunction
Occurs as a result of nerve problems, which prevent signals from traveling from your brain to your penis to create an erection.
Hormonal Erectile Dysfunction
Refers to ED that happens as a result of testosterone deficiency, or in some cases as a result of thyroid issues.
Psychogenic Erectile Dysfunction
Involves psychological conditions that affect your thoughts, feelings or behavior that can cause ED.
What are the symptoms of erectile dysfunction?
Erectile dysfunction symptoms include:
- Only sometimes being able to get an erection before sexual intercourse
- Being able to get an erection but not maintain it during intercourse
- Complete inability to get an erection
- Requiring a lot of stimulation to maintain an erection
What causes erectile dysfunction?
There are many possible causes of ED, including conditions that affect your:
Circulatory System
Blood vessels that carry blood throughout your body. Your penis needs adequate blood flow to become erect.
Nervous System
Brain, spinal cord and nerves that work together to send electrical impulses including to your penis.
Endocrine System
Glands that create and release hormones like testosterone which helps blood flow to your penis.
Diagnosis and Tests
What tests will be done to diagnose erectile dysfunction?
It depends on what your healthcare provider suspects is causing erectile dysfunction. Your provider may order:
Blood Tests
CBC, Lipid panel, Liver function, Kidney function, Thyroid tests, Testosterone test
Specialized Tests
Penile Doppler ultrasound, Penile biothesiometry, Vasoactive injection, MRA
Urinalysis
Urine test to check for underlying conditions
Important: Before testing, your provider will explain what's involved with a test and answer any questions you have. If you don't feel comfortable, you can decide not to do the test at any time.
Management and Treatment
What is the best way to fix erectile dysfunction?
The first step in treating erectile dysfunction is identifying the underlying cause. A healthcare provider will help determine the best treatment for you.
Lifestyle Changes
- Cardiovascular exercise (45 min, 3x/week)
- Quitting smoking
- Talking to a sex therapist
Medical Treatments
- Oral medications (Viagra, Cialis, etc.)
- Injectable medications
- Testosterone replacement therapy
- Penile low-intensity shockwave therapy
- Vacuum constriction device
Penile Implant Surgery for ED
A penile implant (prosthesis) for erectile dysfunction (ED) is a surgical treatment involving implanting devices into the penis to allow for erections, offering a permanent, on-demand solution when medications fail.
How it works
Inflatable implants
Most common; consist of cylinders in the penis, a fluid reservoir, and a pump in the scrotum, allowing erection and deflation.
Malleable (bendable) implants
Simpler, always semi-rigid, bent into position for intercourse and back down after.
Benefits
Control & Spontaneity
Enables erections on demand
High Satisfaction
Satisfaction rates over 90%
Long-term Solution
Durable, permanent fix
Preserves Sensation
Does not affect natural sensation
Procedure
1-2 hour outpatient procedure
Recovery
About 6 weeks before full activity
Candidates
ED not responding to pills or injections
Prevention
Can ED be prevented?
Key Takeaways
Symptoms & Types
- • Difficulty getting/maintaining erection
- • Vascular (most common), Neurogenic, Hormonal, Psychogenic types
- • Can be first sign of heart disease
- • Consult healthcare provider for diagnosis
Treatment & Prevention
- • Lifestyle changes and exercise
- • Oral medications (Viagra, Cialis)
- • Penile implants as permanent solution
- • Healthy lifestyle reduces risk