Erectile dysfunction (ED) occurs when a man is unable to reach or maintain an erection firm enough for sexual activity. Erectile dysfunction makes it difficult to lead a normal sex life. At Prime Time of Life in Saratoga, California, Daniel E. Erdman, MD, offers a variety of conventional as well as more innovative treatment options, such as therapy, to help restore more youthful sexual function. To speak personally and privately with Dr. Erdman about your condition and how we may help you, please call Prime Time of Life or book an appointment online today.
Erectile Dysfunction Q & A
What causes Erectile Dysfunction?
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a very common condition in men. The risk of developing ED significantly increases as men get older. ED affects about 50% of men by the age of 50, about 60% of men by the age of 60, and about 70% of men by the age of 70.
At Prime Time of Life in Saratoga, California, Daniel E. Erdman, M.D., will personally discuss your specific issues and concerns with you and help formulate a treatment plan that is best for you. Erectile dysfunction can be caused by a number of issues, including both physical and psychological components.
Some of the many causes of ED include:
- Stress
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Diminished blood flow
- High cholesterol
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
- Hormonal deficiencies
- Prior surgery and/or radiation therapy for prostate cancer
- Peyronie's disease (abnormal curvature of the penis)
However, in the majority of patients who suffer from ED, diminished blood flow, often secondary to smoking, hypertension, and/or diabetes is an important underlying cause of ED.
How is erectile dysfunction treated?
There are a number of treatment options available to help men regain or improve sexual function. The medications sildenafil (generic for Viagra), tadalafil (generic for Cialis), and Levitra are commonly prescribed and are often very effective in helping patients suffering from erectile dysfunction. However, these medications may have adverse side effects in some patients including headaches, flushing, and visual changes. Additionally, these drugs are absolutely contraindicated in patients who take medications called nitrates due to the risk of hypotension (low blood pressure).
Other treatment options include direct injection of vasoactive drugs (bimix, trimix, or quad-mix) into the penis (intracavernosal injection therapy). This option is often highly effective even in patients who do not respond well to Viagra or other PDE5 inhibitors. However, injection therapy can be painful, is obviously not the most convenient or spontaneous form of therapy, and has significant potential risks including the possibility of infection.
Supplements such as L-arginine and L-citrulline, which can boost nitric oxide levels, may also be very helpful in promoting better erectile function.
Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) is not appropriate for everyone but can be very helpful for many patients with ED.
Penile implant surgery is a last resort for the treatment of ED. The procedure is expensive, there are significant surgical risks associated with the procedure and the procedure is not reversible.
therapy is an innovative new, safe, and effective non-surgical option for the treatment of ED, which unlike other treatment options, actually addresses the underlying pathology responsible for ED in most patients.
Click the link included here to view a video from Osmosis explaining more information about erectile dysfunction.
What is ®?
is the registered trademark for a specific application of low-intensity shock wave therapy used to treat erectile dysfunction. It is a safe, non-invasive, clinically proven therapy that uses low-intensity shock waves (similar to sound waves) to increase blood flow to the penis and improve sexual function. therapy works by activating the human body's inherent natural restorative healing processes. It does this by using pulsating energy waves to stimulate the release of growth factors, such as VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) which promotes new blood vessel formation and increased blood flow to the penis, resulting in firmer, stronger erections and improved sexual performance.
As a certified provider, Daniel E. Erdman, MD, offers this appealing new alternative treatment for erectile dysfunction, which unlike other available treatment options, actually addresses the underlying root cause of many cases of ED, has no adverse effects and can help restore more normal spontaneous sexual function.
At Prime Time of Life in Saratoga, California, Dr. Erdman utilizes the high-end Zimmer Zwave Q device (one of the first of its kind in the entire state of California) to perform treatments. This device has some advantages over other brands of shock wave therapy machines. Specifically, treatment using the Zimmer device is less uncomfortable than treatment with other devices, allowing for the treatment to be performed without the need for the application of numbing cream. Dr. Erdman will be happy to discuss this with you in detail.
Additionally, at Prime Time of Life, Dr. Erdman actually performs the treatment himself. Many other providers utilize a medical assistant or technician to perform the treatment.
Unlike other treatment options, therapy actually addresses the underlying root cause of most cases of ED, which is diminished blood flow. therapy activates your body's own natural restorative healing processes and promotes the release of growth factors that stimulate new blood vessel formation, resulting in improved blood flow. By addressing the underlying cause of many cases of ED, therapy may reduce or eliminate the need for medications such as Viagra which may have adverse effects.
What is bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT)?
As you age, levels of hormones like testosterone, estrogen, and progesterone begin to decline. Low testosterone levels can be a contributing factor in many men who suffer from erectile dysfunction. Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) is used to restore hormones to more youthful levels and may be very helpful in improving sexual function.
Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy is highly customizable, allowing Dr. Erdman to personalize treatment to your specific needs. Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy can be administered in the form of a pill, cream, gel, patch, or implanted pellet. BHRT and specifically testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) can be helpful in restoring normal libido (in both men and women), improving erectile function, and restoring more spontaneous and rejuvenated sexual performance. relieves symptoms of erectile dysfunction.