The phrase “use it or lose it” can be applied to a variety of skills and functions, including sexual health. You’d like to maintain your virility, and so you do try to engage in sexual behavior regularly. But despite your “use,” you’ve started to lose function.
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is most often associated with older men. However, young men can suffer from it, too. Worldwide, about 322 million men experience ED, which refers to chronic problems achieving and maintaining erections. About 52% of men between ages 40 and 70 have ED. Its incidence increases with age.
Our expert urologist, Alex Lesani, MD, understands that a variety of factors could cause your ED, and each of those may need a different type of therapy. At our office in Las Vegas, Nevada, he determines what’s behind your own ED and customizes a state-of-the-art treatment plan.
What are the root causes of ED, and how can you move past them? Here’s how modern approaches to ED treatment can help you get back to “using it” easily and regularly.
Dad bods may be “in” these days, but you may not be able to cash in on your appeal if you have too much fat around the middle. Or even if you don’t: Visceral fat — which can wrap around your organs despite your thin, ripped physique — is just as detrimental to your sexual health as visible belly fat.
The visceral adiposity index (VAI, aka visceral fat index) correlates strongly with ED in men. Visceral fat is a dangerous type of inflammatory fat that infiltrates your muscles, surrounds your heart and other organs, and increases your risk for cardiovascular disease.
Even healthy men of normal weight can experience endothelial dysfunction related to a high VAI. Endothelial dysfunction occurs when the lining of your blood vessels can’t function optimally due to a lack of nitric oxide, which helps your vessels relax and blood flow.
Belly fat, in addition to visceral fat, also contributes to ED. Adipose (i.e., fatty) tissue produces the hormone estrogen, which can throw off your hormonal balance and lead to a deficiency in the androgen testosterone (T).
Cut out alcohol, sugar, and tobacco
Lifestyle adjustments could be all you need to improve your waistline, reduce your visceral fat, and restore your satisfying erections. However, it’s not a quick fix: Expect significant fat loss and health improvement to take at least several months.
If you have a metabolic disease, such as diabetes, or another health condition, including cardiovascular disease, Dr. Lesani may recommend focusing on getting those under control before moving on to ED treatment. Conditions that affect sexual function include:
Dr. Lesani may adjust your current medications and work hand in hand with other members of your medical team. Any condition that affects your blood vessels and cardiovascular health will also contribute to ED. You may also benefit from medications such as Viagra®, Levitra®, Cialis®, or Stendra®.
Even if you’re physically healthy, you may be battling chronic stress or mental health conditions that make it difficult or impossible to achieve or maintain an erection. Past or present sexual abuse or trauma, for example, can affect sexual performance.
You may also experience ED if you have trouble in your current relationship. Lack of intimacy, unresolved issues, and depression or anxiety can all derail your sex life.
In addition to lifestyle adjustments — such as getting more exercise and better sleep (which can relieve stress) — Dr. Lesani may refer you for individual or couples counseling.
If lifestyle adjustments, medications, and therapy don’t help, don’t despair. You may benefit from a vacuum device that helps engorge your penis with blood long enough to have a satisfying erection. He also offers injections that aid in erection.
For severe cases, Dr. Lesani may recommend a penile implant that you control so that you can have intercourse again. He may surgically insert an inflatable penile prosthesis (IPP) by Boston Scientific or Coloplast®.
If you suffer from ED, find out why and what interventions can get you back to “using it” again. Call us at 702-470-2579 or make your appointment online for ED treatment today.
