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Erectile Dysfunction

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What is Erectile Dysfunction?

Erectile Dysfunction (ED), sometimes called impotence, is the inability to sustain or achieve an erection sufficient for satisfactory sexual activity. ED is a medical problem when this happens regularly, over a long period of time. ED is very common—and very treatable.

Causes of erectile dysfunction include:

Premature ejaculation
Depression
Low testosterone
Lifestyle choices
Diabetes
High blood pressure
Anxiety

Chronic erectile dysfunction affects about 30 million people in the United States alone. Unfortunately, because of reluctance to discuss the subject, only about 10% seek treatment.

It’s important to consult your doctor if you do have chronic ED because many of its causes are physical. Not only can these causes be successfully treated, but if they’re not treated they can lead to other problems. Erectile dysfunction is not an inevitable result of aging, and age is not a reason to avoid treatment.

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UR Medicine's Treatments for Erectile Dysfunction

Diagnosing erectile dysfunction usually begins with the doctor taking your medical and sexual history, followed by a physical exam and routine blood and urine tests that can check your level of male hormones, cholesterol, blood sugar, and liver, kidney, and thyroid function. The physical exam could also include an examination of your prostate.

Several other tests can evaluate blood flow into and out of the penis as well as sensitivity and nerve function. Among the most common tests are: ultrasound, a neurologic exam, and a nocturnal penile tumescence (NPT) test to measure the number and strength of erections during sleep.

Treatment options are wide-ranging, including:

Lifestyle changes
Oral medications
Injection therapy
Intraurethral therapy
Hormone medications
Vacuum devices
Penile implants (prostheses)
Surgical treatment
Counseling and psychotherapy

What Sets Us Apart?

UR Medicine Urology provides the Rochester area's most advanced and complete urologic care. We have the most highly trained specialists. Many of our doctors are fellowship trained, the highest level of education available.

We use the most advanced technology to perform procedures such as minimally invasive robotic surgery. We are one of only a few academic medical centers offering High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) for personalized treatment of prostate cancer. We also use the latest da Vinci Surgical System, with high-definition 3D imaging to enhance the surgeon's vision during procedures.

UR Medicine is a national pioneer in minimally invasive surgery, which speeds recovery, reduces post-surgery pain, and decreases the risks of complications. As part of an academic medical center, we’re involved in the very latest research to develop more effective treatments.