Erectile Dysfunction Treatment in The Woodlands and Northwest Houston Area
What is Erectile Dysfunction?
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a condition in men where it is difficult to get or maintain an erection that is firm enough for sex. This condition is very common, and is actually the most frequent sexual health complaint from men of all ages.
If you’re struggling with erectile dysfunction, Dr. Edward J. Sanchez in The Woodlands offers personalized treatment plans to address your unique needs. From medications and lifestyle changes to advanced therapies, he is dedicated to helping you regain confidence and improve your sexual health. Don’t wait—call (281) 351-5174 today to schedule your consultation and start your journey towards a more satisfying life.
ED Symptoms
Generally all symptoms of erectile dysfunction will contribute to an inability to develop or sustain an erection.
These signs may include:
- Reduced sexual desire or a lowered libido
- A decrease in interest or motivation for sexual activity
- Difficulty achieving an erection
- Inability to initiate or sustain an erection during sexual arousal
- Ejaculating sooner than desired during sexual activity
- Difficulty reaching orgasm or prolonged time to achieve ejaculation
We Can Help
If you experience erectile dysfunction in rare instances, and you have no other related health conditions, you should be able to manage your ED without much trouble. Such situations are completely normal, and should not warrant a significant amount of worry.
However, if you begin to become concerned about erectile dysfunction and how much it is impacting your daily life, we encourage you to schedule an appointment at our urology clinics in The Woodlands and Northwest Houston.
Causes of Erectile Dysfunction
ED normally stems from two separate categories of physical and mental health issues.
Most often, erectile dysfunction is the result of a physical problem. These can include a variety of different situations, but they typically relate to:
- Not having enough blood flow to the penis
- Problems with the nerve endings due to cancer or injury
- Side effects of medication
Other cases of erectile dysfunction may be caused by emotional or psychological issues, such as:
- Stress
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Relationship problems
- Worry about poor sexual performance
It is certainly possible for both physical and mental factors to contribute toward a single patient’s erectile dysfunction. Many people with ED discover that a physical issue will lead to stress in a relationship or about sexual performance, which can make their erectile dysfunction even more difficult to deal with.
How is Erectile Dysfunction Diagnosed?
The potentially endless circle of erectile dysfunction can be broken by speaking with a urologist about your erectile dysfunction and getting a diagnosis to understand what could be causing it to occur.
We assess erectile dysfunction by:
- Conducting a thorough review of your medical and sexual history
- A comprehensive mental health and physical examination
- Urine tests or blood tests
- Physical exam of the penis and testicles is common to be sure they look normal
- Discussion about hormones or medications
Conversations about ED with a healthcare professional may be challenging, but it’s important to keep in mind that a fulfilling sex life is integral to overall well-being. Providing your doctor with detailed information enables them to better understand your situation and increases the likelihood of successful treatment.
Tests to Further Diagnose ED
In addition, there may be three special tests to confirm you can physically have an erection.
- The first is done overnight. Most men have 3 to 5 erections each night as they sleep. You place a ring device over your penis before sleep. If you have erections, the ring will break. If that is the case, then ED is not a physical issue, but could be emotional or mental.
- You may also have a Penile Doppler Ultrasound which is non-invasive. The physician holds a wand over your penis to detect blood flow.
- A third test is an injection test into the base of the penis which should give you an immediate erection. If you don’t get one, there is something wrong with blood flow.
The good news is whatever is preventing a man from enjoying healthy sex, there are options to treat it. Erectile dysfunction is treatable in almost all cases.
ED Treatment
There are multiple treatments for ED and options for each cause. Sometimes it can be as simple as changing your medications.
Treatment for ED may include:
- Medications – Prescription medications such as sildenafil (Viagra), tadalafil (Cialis), and vardenafil (Levitra) can enhance blood flow to the penis
- Vacuum Erection Devices – Mechanical devices that create a vacuum to draw blood into the penis, facilitating an erection
- Penile Injections – Medications injected directly into the penis to induce an erection
- Penile Implants – Surgical implants that provide an artificial erection
- Lifestyle Modifications – Adopting a healthy lifestyle, including regular exercise, a balanced diet, and avoiding excessive alcohol and tobacco use
- Psychological Counseling -Addressing underlying psychological factors through therapy or counseling
ED can be challenging for both individuals and their partners. Open communication, emotional support, and a willingness to explore treatment options together can contribute to a healthier and more satisfying sexual relationship. Give us a call today to find out your options to help treat ED.
Schedule an ED Appointment Today
Don’t let erectile dysfunction impact your quality of life any longer. Board-certified urologist Dr. Edward J. Sanchez offers comprehensive treatment options to help you regain your confidence and improve your sexual health. Call (281) 351-5174 now to schedule your consultation at our urology clinics in The Woodlands and Northwest Houston and take the first step toward a more fulfilling life.
