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What is erectile dysfunction?

Erectile dysfunction, commonly called ED, happens when you can’t get an erection or keep it long enough for satisfying sexual intercourse.

Most men have erection difficulties occasionally. Usually, it’s caused by tiredness, stress, or relationship problems. But, frequent ED indicates there’s an underlying problem that needs treatment.

Why would I have erectile dysfunction?

Getting and maintaining an erection requires healthy blood flow to your penis. Physical reasons often account for why blood can’t fill the penis. You might have psychological barriers like a lack of desire. Many things increase your risk of erectile dysfunction, including:

  • Taking certain medications
  • Smoking
  • Excessive alcohol consumption
  • High cholesterol
  • Hypertension (high blood pressure)
  • Atherosclerosis (narrowed, hardened arteries)
  • Low testosterone (Low T)
  • Peyronie’s disease (scar tissue that restricts the penile skin)
  • Neurologic disease
  • Diabetes
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Excess body weight
  • Prostate surgery side effects

Dr. Samadi combined his knowledge and experience to create the Samadi-Modified Advanced Robotic Technique (SMART). Using SMART, he performs prostate surgeries that ensure his patients enjoy a better sex life, improved urinary function, and better prostate cancer control.

What treatments help with erectile dysfunction?

Erectile dysfunction treatments include:

Behavioral changes

Improving your diet, exercising more, losing weight, managing stress, quitting smoking, and reducing alcohol intake can improve your ability to get and maintain an erection.

Medication

Medications like sildenafil (Viagra®) and tadalafil (Cialis®) help you achieve and maintain an erection when taken before sex.

Testosterone replacement therapy

If low testosterone hormones cause ED, you might benefit from treatment to restore normal levels.

Intracavernosal and intraurethral medications

These include drugs like alprostadil. They cause an erection when you inject them into your penis or put a suppository (pill you don’t swallow) in your urethra.

Penile prosthesis

Dr. Samadi can surgically implant a prosthetic device into your penis that helps you get an erection. Designs vary — a semirigid device requires bending into position, while other prosthetics use small pumps to inflate the implant.

Two-piece inflatable devices have a pair of cylinders connected to a pump. The cylinders are surgically inserted into your penis, and the pump goes into your scrotal sac. You inflate the device for sex and then partially deflate it afterward.

Three-piece inflatable devices also have two cylinders and a scrotal pump. In addition, a saline (salt water) reservoir goes inside the body. Three-piece inflatable devices provide the best rigidity and account for about 85% of penile prostheses in the United States.

Call David B Samadi, MD, today or book an appointment online for effective erectile dysfunction treatment.