Comprehensive Erectile Dysfunction Treatments

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a term used when you can’t get or sustain an erection, and it can affect both men and their sexual partners. The Male Infertility & Sexual Health Program at University Hospitals offers advanced treatments and an experienced, multidisciplinary team to address many of the symptoms and causes of erectile dysfunction.

Understanding the Causes of ED

ED can have physical or psychological causes, and occasionally a combination of both. The causes of ED may include:

• Health conditions: Diabetes, heart disease, obesity, high cholesterol and other conditions can affect blood flow to the penis and contribute to ED.
• Medications: Drugs prescribed for high blood pressure, heart disease, depression and other mental health problems can cause erectile dysfunction.
• Lifestyle: Smoking, excessive drinking, drug use and diet can also contribute to ED.
• Psychological conditions: Stress, anxiety, depression and relationship problems can all cause or worsen ED.

Managing other health conditions and making the necessary lifestyle changes are important to help overcome erectile dysfunction. That’s why our team at the Male Infertility & Sexual Health Program at UH uses a specialized, team-based approach to deliver expert and highly individual ED care.

After learning more about your health, our providers perform a physical examination and tests to gather more information.These tests may require blood and urine samples. We also may use a penile Doppler ultrasound device, which is anon-invasive imaging test that lets doctors study blood flow in the penis.

By using advanced testing methods like this, our physicians can find the underlying causes of your ED and create more individual and effective erectile dysfunction treatments.

Effective Medications and Procedures

Erectile dysfunction medications are effective for many men, but these oral medications may not work for everybody. Our team offers numerous other non-invasive and minimally invasive treatments for improved outcomes. Many of these can achieve results faster,with fewer side effects and a quicker recovery. We also offer placement of inflatable penile prostheses for men who have failed other forms of treatment for erectile dysfunction.

Your physician team will work with your primary care physician, as well as your cardiologist, if ED is related to a heart problem. Providers may also recommend lifestyle changes, changing your prescribed medications or seeking mental health counseling to help treat the underlying causes of ED.