You have questions about erectile dysfunction. But where can you get accurate information? You don’t trust those emails that land in your spam folder, and those pop-up ads feel a bit suspicious as well. You want to talk to someone, but how do you broach the most awkward subject ever?
Fortunately, there is someone you can trust to tell you the truth about erectile dysfunction: your doctor. A doctor who focuses on men’s health knows everything there is to know about the subject and you can trust them to stay up to date on the latest research and treatments. At Texas Men’s Health Group, we are a dedicated Texas testosterone center bringing useful information to men in the Dallas, Texas area. Take a look at some of the honest facts about erectile dysfunction that you’d hear from one of our doctors.
Your Doctor Wants to Hear About Your Erectile Dysfunction
Most men experience erectile dysfunction from time to time, due to tiredness, a bad mood, or stress. Your men’s health doctor is happy to talk to you about those occasions. And they can help you discern whether this is a once-in-a-while thing or something indicating a more serious medical problem. Don’t worry about the embarrassment factor. You won’t tell your doctor anything they haven’t heard before — and they want to help.
Erectile Dysfunction May Be Distressing — But It Doesn’t Have to Be Permanent
Your doctor will reassure you that, in almost all cases, we can treat erectile dysfunction. For some men, lifestyle changes can restore erectile function. Medications can help you achieve an erection and, when erectile dysfunction results from testosterone deficiency, testosterone replacement therapy can make all the difference. Sometimes, surgery can resolve your issue so that you get an erection again. Psychological therapy can also be very helpful for some men. Whatever the cause of your erectile dysfunction, your doctor wants you to know that it isn’t permanent, and it is treatable.
Erectile Dysfunction Is Not Inevitable
Yes, your testosterone declines a little bit each year, beginning in your 30s. Normal testosterone levels fall within the wide range of 300 to 1,000 nanograms per deciliter of blood. When they fall below 300 ng/dl, you’re diagnosed with low testosterone. But, as your doctor can explain, even that diagnosis doesn’t mean that erectile dysfunction is inevitable. There are many methods of treatment for erectile dysfunction, some of them very simple. The method of treatment chosen will depend in part on the cause of your erectile dysfunction. If low testosterone is at the root of your erectile dysfunction, your doctor is likely to prescribe testosterone replacement therapy, which may also address several other symptoms.
There’s No Connection Between Erectile Dysfunction and Infertility
Infertility and erectile dysfunction are not related. Infertility occurs when your body isn’t producing enough sperm, your sperm has abnormalities, or it isn’t being delivered properly. In many cases, a couple’s infertility lies with the woman since it takes two fertile people to conceive. If you have low testosterone levels, however, it’s possible that your testosterone deficiency is at the root of both your erectile dysfunction and any infertility concerns. In most cases, though, men are fertile even when experiencing erectile dysfunction. Your men’s health doctor can connect you to a fertility specialist if needed.
Diagnosis for Erectile Dysfunction Is Pretty Simple
You already know the main symptom of erectile dysfunction: the inability to sustain or achieve an erection. Your doctor will listen to your concerns and take them seriously. They’ll ask about your medical history, and they’ll want to know if you’re experiencing a loss of libido as well. All this is not to give you a diagnosis (as we said, it’s pretty simple), but to determine the cause. To that end, they’re likely to run some blood tests. Once your doctor determines the cause, they’ll turn their attention to the question of treatment.
Low Testosterone Levels Could Be the Key to Your Erectile Dysfunction
Those blood tests your doctor runs when diagnosing erectile dysfunction will certainly include a test for testosterone levels. Low testosterone levels is one of the main causes of erectile dysfunction. If you’ve simultaneously been experiencing loss of libido and a decrease in your muscle mass, there’s a significant chance that declining testosterone levels are at the root of all these issues. Testosterone declines naturally with age. For some men, that natural decline results in erectile dysfunction and many other symptoms. But your doctor will also want to give you some good news. If your erectile dysfunction is a result of a testosterone deficiency, your condition is easily treatable through testosterone replacement therapy.
Yes, Your Stress Could Play a Role in Erectile Dysfunction
Your doctor can explain the delicate relationship between anxiety and stress and erectile dysfunction. When you can’t achieve or maintain an erection, you feel anxious. That anxiety compounds to make you more nervous about not being able to achieve an erection — which makes you even more stressed. And yes, psychological factors can be key to erectile dysfunction. All the stress from the rest of your life — your work life, your finances, your relationships — also plays a role. Your men’s health doctor can not only help treat the erectile dysfunction, but they can also refer you to a therapist if you need to work through some of those stress issues.
Alcohol, Drug, and Tobacco Use Can Contribute to Erectile Dysfunction
Your doctor will also ask you about whether you smoke, drink alcohol or use any other addictive substances, as these can also play a role in erectile dysfunction. You already know that alcohol in excess isn’t good for your liver, and alcohol and drug use can also have an effect on your brain — an effect that can result in erectile dysfunction as a side effect in some cases. Tobacco has a restrictive effect on blood flow, which is key to achieving a successful erection.
Some of Your Medical Conditions or Medications May Also Play a Role in Erectile Dysfunction
When your doctor reviews your medical history, they’ll be looking for diabetes, kidney disease, high blood pressure, and any other cardiovascular condition, all of which can contribute to erectile dysfunction. They’ll also review your medications, as erectile dysfunction may be a side effect of some of them. If you take high blood pressure medication, antidepressants, or certain herbal supplements, they could play a role in your erectile dysfunction. Your doctor can explain the relationship between your medical conditions and medications and erectile dysfunction.
Treatment for Your Erectile Dysfunction Could Be As Simple As Taking a Pill
Your doctor will explain how the common medications for erectile dysfunction work and whether they’re appropriate for you. Viagra, Levitra, and Cialis are all different types of PDE5 inhibitors, which increase blood flow throughout your body. When that increased blood flow reaches your penis, an erection is a common result. If you take medications that prohibit the taking of PDE5 inhibitors, your doctor can explain your other medication options. These include alprostadil and PT 141, which are at-home testosterone injections that boost the quantity and quality of erections.
Lifestyle Changes Can Help With Erectile Dysfunction
How’s your cardiovascular health? That’s likely to be on your doctor’s mind when you ask about erectile dysfunction. If you’re overweight or obese or if you lead a largely sedentary lifestyle, you may be more prone to erectile dysfunction. Losing weight and engaging in regular cardiovascular exercise (think 40 minutes a day, 4 days a week) is shown to decrease erectile dysfunction.
If Medications Are Unsuccessful at Treating Your Erectile Dysfunction, You Have Other Options
In most cases, the medications that your doctor prescribes to treat erectile dysfunction will work well. If they don’t work for you, or if you’re unable to take them due to other health conditions, your doctor will turn to other options. These might include penile implants, a vacuum erection device (also known as a penis pump), or penile vascular surgery, which is especially appropriate if you’ve experienced an injury to your penis or groin area. Your doctor will explain all the options and discuss which is most appropriate for your unique situation and lifestyle.
Our Men’s Health Doctors Can Answer Your Questions About Erectile Dysfunction
At Texas Men’s Health Group, we’re ready to answer every question you have about erectile dysfunction, testosterone deficiency, and other men’s health issues. Our doctors will listen to your concerns and provide practical, clear explanations and advice. When you’re wondering whether your testosterone levels are low and what that means for your day-to-day life, our doctors can walk you through all the testing needed and then move on to help you choose the appropriate treatment.
Testosterone Clinic Near Me
We’re always discreet and confidential, making TMHG a safe place to come when you want real understanding and real answers. Make an appointment with us today to discuss erectile dysfunction, low testosterone, or any other men’s health or hormonal concern you have, and we’ll help you find the answers that make a difference.