How could this be happening to me? Everything seemed to be fine before, but now I worry every time there may be an intimate moment. I avoid intimacy because I might not be able to perform.
Unfortunately, these and many similar situations are more common than you may realize. By age 40, 22% of men have difficulty with erectile dysfunction (ED). By age 70, it is up to an astonishing 49% of the population. For years we have been in search of methods for erectile dysfunction treatment because it has such a profound effect on men’s health.
Inability to obtain or maintain an erection can lead to an unfulfilled sex life. This can lead to depression and a lack of self esteem as it places a great strain on relationships with your partner. It obviously also has a great impact on the ability to get a female partner pregnant.
So to have a better understanding of treatment options for erectile dysfunction, it is important to have an understanding of what the root of the problem may be. The more common reasons for ED may be:
- Heart disease
- Clogged blood vessels (atherosclerosis)
- High cholesterol
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
- Low testosterone
- Certain prescription medications
- Tobacco use
- Peyronie’s disease — development of scar tissue inside the penis
- Alcoholism and other forms of substance abuse
- Treatments & surgeries for prostate cancer or enlarged prostate
- Surgeries or injuries that affect the pelvic area or spinal cord
- Depression, anxiety or other mental health conditions
- Stress
- Relationship problems due to stress, poor communication or other concerns
Treatment Options
After consideration of your potential causes, your ED clinic provider can better assess what will be the best way to help you improve your condition. There are over the counter ED meds which are considered supplements as they are NOT regulated by the FDA, such as Ginseng, DHEA, Yohimbe, and L-Arginine.
FDA approved ED medications include oral sildenafil (Viagra), tadalafil (Cialis), avanafil (Stendra), and vardenafil (Levitra). Injectable ED medications include Tri-mix, Bi-Mix, and Papaverine. There is also the option of a urethral suppository. All of these ED medications work by increasing flow of blood into the penis to produce an erection.
There are devices to help ED as well, which for some may be an effective treatment. A Vacuum Erection Device (VED), also known as a penis pump, works by creating negative pressure around the penis drawing in blood to create an erection. The erection is then maintained by applying a restrictive band to the base of the penis. Also known as erectile dysfunction bands, cock rings, penis rings, and constriction bands, these can be used alone or with the VED. The ED ring traps any blood that flows into the penis and prevents it from escaping back into the body, thus maintaining the erection.
Low testosterone levels can have an impact on overall male health. This is especially true if there is a sense of low libido, or low interest in sexual activity. Low testosterone (hypogonadism) is also correlated with erectile dysfunction. Your level should be checked, and if you are a proper candidate with low T, hormone replacement options include creams, patches, injections, and implantable pellets.
One method to improve blood flow into the penis is with Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) which is also known as the p-shot or penis shot. This works by taking a blood sample, like you would for an ordinary blood test, then using a centrifuge device the portion of the blood that has healing powers is extracted to be injected back into the penis. These repair signals in-turn stimulate the generation of new micro blood vessels that allow improved flow into the penis.
In the search for new ED treatments, LI-SWT, which is also known as acoustic wave therapy, has emerged as a great alternative to pills and devices. In the right candidate, there is a very good success rate which restores the ability to have spontaneity during an intimate moment. This method uses a special machine that produces sound pressure waves (much like a loud speaker would) that travel through the skin of the penis and surrounding tissues. This wave therapy for ED, then causes small plaque build-up inside blood vessels to break free and unclog the obstruction that is restricting blood flow to the penis. What’s more, is that these sound waves also cause the formation of NEW blood capillaries which add an additional highway for blood to arrive to the penis. If this shockwave therapy sounds familiar, it is because it’s a similar concept to treatments typically used for kidney stones, but on a smaller scale suitable for ED. The treatment is quick, painless, and has no down time – you can immediately resume normal activity. At Refresh Med Spa L.A., we have developed a specific protocol to treat ED called the Fellas Men’s Revitalization Treatment™️. Through extensive research from the latest data, we have developed a restoration system that we believe is better than other systems such as Gainswave®.
Typically as a last resort, surgery may be necessary to assist with ED. This can particularly be true for someone who may have had pelvic trauma with injured nerves or blood vessels, or after treatment for prostate cancer. Treatments can range from vascular reconstruction to implantation of a prosthesis that is controlled by a pump hidden in the scrotum
At Refresh Med Spa L.A. we are certain that after an evaluation you will have a better understanding of your options. We are particularly excited about our proprietary and exclusive Fellas Men’s Revitalization Treatment™️ for erectile dysfunction that uses acoustic wave therapy in a specially developed protocol for maximum efficacy. These protocols are science and research backed so we can be confident in recommending them to you as a solution to ED.