Erectile Dysfunction (ED)

Up to 30 million men experience erectile dysfunction (ED). Though common, without treatment, ED can affect your confidence and quality of life. At Stone Creek Family Medicine in Montgomery, Texas, Jeremy McWilliams, DO, Ginger McMillian, FNP-C, Courtney Groves, FNP-C, and the team offers various treatments for erectile dysfunction. They might recommend prescription medication, hormone therapy, or the Priapus shot (P-shot). Call Stone Creek Family Medicine today to request treatment for erectile dysfunction.

Sometimes I can’t get an erection. Could it be erectile dysfunction (ED)?

Erectile dysfunction (ED) affects your ability to get or keep an erection long enough to have sex. Almost all men experience erectile dysfunction occasionally, but if your symptoms continue or worsen, it’s essential to seek treatment.

After identifying the underlying cause, the Stone Creek Family Medicine team can make personalized treatment recommendations and help restore your sex life.

What are the symptoms of erectile dysfunction (ED)?

Symptoms of erectile dysfunction include the following:

• Reduced sexual desire
• Being unable to get an erection
• Difficulty keeping an erection 

Male arousal is a complex process that involves the brain, hormones, blood vessels, and muscles. A problem with any of these things can cause erectile dysfunction, making it difficult to have sexual intercourse.

Who is at risk of erectile dysfunction (ED)?

Erectile dysfunction affects men of all ages and backgrounds, but several factors can increase your risk, including:

• Psychological conditions, like depression or anxiety
• Tobacco use
• Being overweight
• Drug and alcohol use
• Medical conditions, like heart disease and diabetes
• Injuries, like damage to the nerves that control erections

Certain medical procedures can increase your risk of erectile dysfunction. For example, men who undergo radiation for prostate cancer are more likely to experience erectile dysfunction. 

How is erectile dysfunction (ED) diagnosed?

Your Stone Creek Family Medicine provider reviews your medical records, asks about your symptoms, and completes a physical exam. Then, they order several tests, including bloodwork, urinalysis, and an ultrasound.

Bloodwork checks for heart disease or low testosterone levels. Urinalysis looks for diabetes or other underlying health conditions. An ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to create video images of the blood vessels in your penis. Your provider can check for blood flow problems responsible for erectile dysfunction. 

How is erectile dysfunction (ED) treated?

The Stone Creek Family Medicine team treats erectile dysfunction using a comprehensive approach. They might recommend:

• Prescription medications, like Viagra®
• Healthy lifestyle changes
• Hormone optimization (for example, testosterone therapy)
• Penis pump
• Penile implants

Stone Creek Family Medicine also offers treatment with the Priapus Shot (P-Shot). The P-Shot is a minimally invasive procedure that uses your body’s own growth factors (platelets) to encourage firmer and longer-lasting erections.

Call Stone Creek Family Medicine today to explore the treatments for erectile dysfunction (ED).