Erectile dysfunction (ED) impacts 30 million men in the United States alone. Fortunately, there are many effective treatments for ED. In Royal Palm Beach, Advanced Medical Clinic is the place to go to discuss erectile dysfunction confidentially and to get the coping strategies and treatments you need for satisfying sexual health.
What Is Erectile Dysfunction?
Frankly, most men would admit they experience some degree of sexual dysfunction from time to time. However, persistent difficulties in achieving and maintaining an erection sufficient to have intercourse are abnormal. Men who experience this issue need help from their primary care provider.
What Causes Erectile Dysfunction?
Your family medicine provider encounters many patients who struggle with ED. The reasons for the problem vary, but usually, they fall under two categories: physical and psychological.
The physical causes include:
● Poorly controlled diabetes
● Injury to the groin, abdomen, or back
● Obesity
● Cardiovascular disease
● Prostate issues, such as benign prostatic hypertrophy
● Neurological problems
● Certain medications
● Some surgeries
The psychological causes include:
● Alcohol or substance abuse
● Family or work stress
● Relationship issues between partners
● Anxiety
Coping With Erectile Dysfunction
The first and best coping mechanism is an open, honest discussion with your primary care provider. They will assess your overall health and ask about your symptoms. They may order blood tests and other lab work to check for diabetes and other problems which could cause ED.
Additionally, your family medicine provider will screen you for emotional health issues, such as depression and anxiety, to determine if you require counseling or other psychological interventions.
To manage your ED, you and your family medicine provider will pursue a treatment plan tailored to your individual needs. Some men benefit from oral medications, such as Viagra and Cialis. There are suppositories and self-injectable medications that help many men, as well.
Other men may need a surgically-inserted penile implant to aid in obtaining and keeping an erection. Plus, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is not just for women. Men with erectile dysfunction may have low-T (testosterone) and can benefit from HRT taken in pill form.
For most men–and this likely includes you–lifestyle changes greatly improve sexual function. Here are some suggestions that really work:
● Avoid being sedentary, and start exercising. Regular exercise improves your mood, reduces stress, and benefits your vascular function.
● Stop all smoking, and limit alcohol consumption. Both adversely impact the microcirculation in the lower extremities.
● Achieve a healthy body weight. The bigger your waistline, the greater your chances of developing ED.
● Eat fewer processed foods and more vegetables and fruit. Studies show a direct link between junk food and ED.
Don’t Wait for Erectile Dysfunction to Go Away
You can manage sexual problems, such as erectile dysfunction, with the help of your primary care provider. So, why not take back control by calling Dr. Ishan Gunawardene? He is board-certified in internal medicine and has expertise and training in many subspecialties, including men’s health.
Contact Advanced Medical Clinic to schedule a consultation. Call us at (561) 434-1935, or request an appointment online.
