Erectile dysfunction (ED) is defined as the inability to achieve or maintain a rigid erection adequate for sexual intercourse. ED can be devastating to men and their sexual partners. When men experience ED they often become frantic with concern and want the problem fixed as soon as possible. After all, the penis is about as important as it gets when it comes to organs in the male body.
Put simply though, erectile dysfunction is just a problem and like most problems there is a right way and a wrong way to go about fixing it. This means going to a physician with expertise in the field of men’s sexual health and erectile dysfunction. Don’t seek out a quick fix from an establishment that offers a “guaranteed erection” at your first visit. Sure, by performing a simple penile injection using drugs that increase blood flow, almost all men can achieve a rigid erection within minutes. But is this treatment appropriate or necessary for all men with ED? Of course not. I can also guarantee an erection by performing prosthesis surgery on a man with ED. Does this sound like a good idea for everyone with erectile dysfunction? If you are a logical person it should sound quite ridiculous.
So, let’s consider a few factors that should convince men to fix their ED the correct way. Erectile dysfunction is a complex medical problem. Complex medical problems require an appropriate evaluation by a qualified medical professional. If you had a problem with your heart, would you want a quick fix to keep your heart beating for a few more months or a true solution to keep you alive and well for years to come? ED can have many different causes, some of which are correctable. Wouldn’t it be better to correct the problem than to simply place a band-aid on it? Erectile dysfunction can be the first sign of serious underlying medical diseases such as vascular disease. Wouldn’t you want to know if you had a serious, potentially deadly, medical condition? As my fellow urologist, Dr. Geib likes to say, “You can’t have sex in the graveyard.” I mean, you can I suppose, but I get what he is saying. Dead men have zero chance at achieving an erection.
Erectile dysfunction can be treated using a variety of medical interventions. Penile injection therapy is a very effective form of ED treatment but it is not appropriate for every patient with sexual dysfunction, it is simply one of the many options available for patients. Other treatment options may be just as effective with fewer associated side effects and risks. Great healthcare begins with a complete evaluation and ends with a discussion of treatment options.
Reprinted with permission from Men+Sex+MD.