Erectile dysfunction or ED, also known as impotence, is very common, especially in men ages 30 and up. It is defined by the inability to maintain an erection firm enough for satisfying sexual activity. Most medical studies estimate that between 50-60% of men suffer from some type of ED. Occasionally having difficulty maintaining an erection is normal. However, if it happens frequently and it consistently disrupts your sex life, you may be permanent ED and the likelihood that it will go away on its own are slim.
The good news is that there are a variety of treatments that proactive men can access to help them regain their sexual drive and confidence and reignite their love life. The best treatments for ED depend on the underlying cause, which can be determined with an ED evaluation at Balanced Medical Solutions.
What are the most common causes of ED?
The most common causes of ED are:
- Low testosterone
- Prescription medications
- Peyronie’s disease
- Poor circulation
- Smoking, drug abuse, and alcoholism
- Mental health
- Physical trauma to the penis
- High cholesterol or cardiovascular disease
- Diabetes
- Depression or stress
What are the best treatments for ED?
Once it is determined what the underlying cause is, the experts at Balanced Medical Solutions will discuss which of these treatments is best for you.
Extracorporeal Pulse Activation Treatment (EPAT) (also known as Radial Pressure Wave Therapy, GAINSWave®, and Low-Intensity Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (LIECST): EPAT is scientifically proven and non-invasive. It uses pain-free, low-intensity acoustic shock waves, similar to ultrasound waves, to stimulate the creation of new microvascular blood vessels and increase blood supply to the penis. This provides men with a pathway to optimum sexual performance through the achievement and maintenance of full, dependable erections. EPAT is particularly effective with patients who have erectile dysfunction (ED) due to cardiovascular disease. Atherosclerotic plaques form in the penis artery walls, therefore blocking blood flow and the ability to obtain or maintain an erection. EPAT treats the real cause of a certain type of erectile dysfunction, not just the symptoms. It is also a breakthrough treatment for Peyronie’s Disease.
Testosterone Therapy: Depending on a man’s age and testosterone levels, treatments include testosterone boosters or full TRT to optimize a man’s testosterone levels. Men naturally have a higher sex drive because of the male sex hormone, testosterone, but all men gradually lose testosterone production from the age of about 35 until they ultimately lose most of their testosterone production by age 60. Thus, low testosterone (or “Low T”) is the most common underlying cause for sexual health issues in men and rebalancing his testosterone levels is oftentimes all he needs to feel and perform once again like he did when he was in his prime.
PDE5s: A phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor (PDE5 inhibitor) is a drug used to block the degradative action of cGMP-specific phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) on cyclic GMP in the smooth muscle cells lining the blood vessels supplying the corpus cavernosum of the penis. These drugs are used in the treatment of the symptoms (not the cause) of erectile dysfunction and were the first effective oral treatment available for this condition. PDE5 inhibitors are clinically indicated for the treatment of the symptoms of erectile dysfunction, providing an erection within 45 minutes of taking one of these medications. An evaluation with Balanced Medical Solutions can determine if you qualify for a PDE5 prescription.
Trimix/Bimix: Trimix is a prescribed medication to treat the symptoms of ED (not the underlying cause) and consists of three active ingredients- papaverine, phentolamine, and alprostadil. Together, these three medications help to relax, expand, and fill the corpus cavernosum (erectile tissue) with blood resulting in an erection shortly after administration. Unlike oral medications, Trimix is localized to the intended area rather than having to flow through the bloodstream into other areas of the body. Trimix is self-administered and easy to perform in the comfort of your own home. TriMix is considered to be the most powerful class of anti-erectile dysfunction agents and can help with the most stubborn of ED cases.
What can I expect during an Erectile Dysfunction Evaluation at Balanced Medical Solutions?
The physicians at Balanced Medical Solutions specialize in the diagnosis and management of ED and offers all of the above treatments for this condition. Balanced Medical Solutions also has a performance optimization program for men who want to improve their sexual performance and enhance their sexual pleasure.
You can expect comprehensive care from the team at Balanced Medical Solutions. For only $99 (promo price), you will receive an ED consultation with a specialist and they will run dozens of blood tests to better understand the underlying cause and your medical profile. Labs will include hormone tests and other screens for conditions that may be causing your ED.
Based on the information gathered during your evaluation, the team will develop your personalized recommended treatment plan based on your particular situation and the underlying causes. This may include options to treat the symptoms as well as options to treat the underlying cause. The team at Balanced Medical Solutions offers free office visits to monitor your response to treatment and to adjust your treatment as needed.
For expert care for ED or any other sexual health issue, call or text Balanced Medical Solutions at 510.679.3300 or book an appointment online today, click here.
