If you suffer from erectile dysfunction (ED), it’s easy to feel like you’re all alone. But ED is actually a common condition, affecting about 30 million American men, according to data from the American Urological Association.
Lots of issues can cause or contribute to ED and its symptoms, including underlying medical problems that can be very serious.
At Neuropathy & Pain Centers of Texas, our team is skilled in diagnosing the underlying cause of ED and providing erectile dysfunction treatment to help with both the symptoms and the underlying cause.
If you’re dealing with ED, here’s why you need to see a doctor as soon as possible.
If you have erectile dysfunction, you know the problems it creates: having trouble obtaining an erection or maintaining it. That sounds simple enough.
In reality, getting and keeping an erection is a very complex process, involving your nerves, blood vessels, muscles, and even your brain. If there’s a problem with any one of those factors, you can wind up with ED.
Not surprisingly, ED can take a big toll on your intimacy and your relationships. But that’s not all. Many men with ED find themselves dealing with issues of anxiety, anger, or depression as a result of their symptoms.
The fact is, ED can happen to anyone — and it happens a lot more often than most men realize. Yes, ED tends to become more common as we get older. But guys in their 20s can experience ED too.
Sometimes, the problem is transient, brought on by stress or other issues that affect your mental health. Hormone-related issues can also play a role; that’s one reason why ED is more common among older men.
For many men, circulation issues are to blame. To get and maintain an erection, your penis needs an ample blood supply to achieve tumescence (hardness). If your blood supply is compromised, you’re almost certainly going to have trouble with erections.
Unfortunately, lots of underlying problems can interfere with your circulation, including:
The bad news: All of these conditions are really common, especially among men who are overweight, aren’t active, or don’t eat a healthy diet. And, once again, older age disposes you to many of these problems too.
Medical evaluation is important for helping you relieve your ED symptoms, but it’s also important because it can help diagnose underlying problems that could pose other health issues in the future.
Your evaluation begins with a review of your symptoms and your personal and family medical histories, a physical exam, and lab tests to learn what’s causing your symptoms. Based on what our team learns, we recommend a treatment specifically for you.
Many men benefit from shockwave therapy, a noninvasive treatment that helps improve circulation in your penis. Medications and therapy are other options that can help provide a complete therapy approach for optimal results.
With locations in Waco, Wichita Falls, Fort Worth and Arlington, Texas, Neuropathy & Pain Centers of Texas makes it easy and convenient to get the treatment you need to successfully manage your ED symptoms.
To learn how our team can help you, book an appointment online or over the phone today.
