It’s thought that at any given time, over 30 million American males suffer some form of erectile dysfunction, making it one of the more common disorders experienced by males.
The condition is so commonplace that the occasional bout of erectile dysfunction or impotence isn’t considered serious unless it becomes a regular occurrence.
But what is erectile dysfunction, how is it treated, how do you find a specialist in your local area, and what, if any, health concerns may extend beyond erectile dysfunction.
What Is Erectile Dysfunction?
Erectile Dysfunction, or ED, is a condition where a man cannot get or maintain an erection long enough and firm enough for sex to occur.
The truth is, over 50% of men will experience erectile dysfunction at some point in their lives.
Occasional ED isn’t a cause of worry as it will occur from time to time, even in young men. While ED increases with age, it’s not uncommon for men younger than 40-years old may experience occasional ED.
This is because the risks associated with ED increase with age and are more common than publicly known.
Even though erectile dysfunction occurs from time to time, if you’re experiencing any concerns or believe it’s an ongoing issue, discuss your conditions with your primary care physician.
ED can be both an awkward situation and a more severe health concern if left undiagnosed. In addition, ED can add stress and lower self-esteem for sufferers, so diagnosing potential causes and treatments is critical for any ongoing health issues related to ED.
What Is An Erectile Dysfunction Doctor?
An erectile dysfunction doctor is a specialist that will diagnose and treat the underlying physical causes of ED. Typically doctors that specialize in ED are urologists or endocrinologists.
These doctors will determine whether the cause of the ED is something physical, related to hormones in the body, or stemming from mental health such as depression, anxiety, or stress.
Before seeking a specialist, a consultation with the primary care physician can help disregard other potential issues of ED, whether it’s from diet or mental health.
Once the diagnosis from the PCP occurs, getting a referral for a specialist is the next step
When To Seek Out An Erectile Dysfunction Doctor
There are three primary causes of erectile dysfunction.
Those causes may be physical, hormonal, or mental health-related. Any combination of these reasons may require seeking professional help for erectile dysfunction.
In general, the warning signs that something is wrong may include:
- Recurring issues with sustaining an erection
- Issues maintaining erections for a long-enough duration to have satisfactory sexual activity
- Complete lack of ability to achieve an erection
- A reduction in sexual interest and drive
Knowing that erectile dysfunction is commonplace should alleviate the stigma and embarrassment that many men feel, but what’s important is to get the problem diagnosed and be sure that it’s not symptomatic of more serious health issues and disease.
Lifestyle plays a big part in managing ED and being fit, eating right, getting enough sleep, and avoiding the use of alcohol are all excellent pieces of advice to minimize ED from occurring.
However, even the fittest man will experience ED from time to time. It’s when it’s recurring that ED becomes a concern.
As mentioned, ED can be a predictor of more significant health issues such as heart issues, diabetes, hypertension, alcohol abuse, spinal cord compression, coronary artery disease, hyperlipidemia, signs of depression, and pituitary tumors.
If ED occurs more than occasionally, it’s prudent to seek professional medical help to diagnose the causes and find the appropriate treatments.
Health Issues Related To Erectile Dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction is more than an awkward nuisance. It can be a predictor of more severe underlying health concerns.
ED can be a precursor to more significant health issues, and if left undiagnosed, those health issues may lead to severe disease and even death.
Of course, not all causes are from life-threatening issues, though the prevalence of reoccurring ED may be from significant illness or injury. These causes of ED may be attributable to:
- Type-2 diabetes
- Heart and blood vessel disease links
- Atherosclerosis
- High blood pressure
- Chronic kidney disease
- Multiple sclerosis
- Peyronie’s disease
- Prostate cancer and treatments
- Injuries to the spin, prostate, bladder, or pelvis
- Bladder cancer surgery
In other words, erectile dysfunction may be revealing more significant health concerns that only your PCP and a specialist would be able to determine and diagnose.
How To Find An Erectile Dysfunction Doctor In Your Area
Before looking for an erectile dysfunction doctor in your area, consult with your primary care physician to diagnose the underlying issue and determine whether it can be treated quickly or requires more complex treatment.
If they decide that you need to see a urologist or other specialist, your PCP can refer you to a preferred partner who aids your PCP with further helping treat your ED.
When looking for a specialist to diagnose and treat your ED, there is a checklist of things you need to consider before scheduling your appointment.
- Check with your local hospital and primary care physician for recommendations.
- Check your insurance provider to determine if the consultation and treatment are covered in your plan.
- Ask friends and family for a possible recommendation.
- Search for local urologists in your area on Google, Yahoo, Bing, and other search engines.
- Visit Urology Care Foundation’s website for recommended providers.
When seeking an ED specialist, finding one with plenty of positive reviews should help you have peace of mind in finding and selecting the proper care provider.
Erectile dysfunction is a more common occurrence than people realize. Unfortunately, its stigma makes asking for help embarrassing and shameful for some men. But knowing the causes behind ED and the ease with which you can find solutions should help alleviate the concerns of even the shyest ED sufferer.
Erectile dysfunction can happen at any time and to any man. When it occurs, understand that it’s normal for the occasional issue. When it’s a regular occurrence, the sufferer must consult a medical professional to diagnose the underlying cause.
Managing ED is, in part, understanding that it will happen occasionally. However, when the sufferer begins to experience it regularly or is unable to get and maintain an erection at any time, it’s advisable to seek out professional medical help.
Finding the right ED doctor to treat your condition is easy if you know how to find them. Localized searches, referrals from your personal care doctor, review sites such as Yelp, and personal referrals should provide you a list of candidates that you can choose from confidently.
