Erectile Dysfunction Treatment
Erectile Dysfunction Treatment in Edmonton
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is the persistent inability to achieve or maintain a penile erection sufficient for satisfactory sexual performance.
Having difficulty getting an erection, difficulty keeping an erection during sexual activity, or reduced sexual desires (libido) are common symptoms of ED. More than 50% of men are estimated to experience a partial to complete level of ED in their life, and further, researchers predict that number to be 322 million men worldwide by 2025.
Research could prove that ED in men affects not only one’s sexual life but also their mental health, self-esteem, and social life.
Causes of ED.
For decades, the reduction in sexual function has been considered a part of the natural aging process; however, it involves several disease processes leading to abnormal erectile function with age. The ageing penile vascular artery undergoes characteristic changes affecting the arterial and vascular beds. It includes endothelial dysfunction. Vascular endothelium serves as a barrier for arterial and venous blood. It also plays a pivotal role in modulating vascular tone and blood flow. Endothelial dysfunction is a functional deterioration of endothelium. Professionals consider endothelial dysfunction a central causing factor in systemic and peripheral vascular disease.
There are various causes of ED. The most common cause is heart disease, clogged blood vessels and other cardiovascular risks. The following are the range of causes of ED in their order of prevalence.
- Vascular
- Diabetes
- Medication
- Pelvic Surgery / Radiation or Trauma
- Neurological Causes
- Endocrine problems
- Other such as chronic smoking and alcoholism etc.
Alarmingly, ED is an early predictor of other health disorders such as coronary artery disease, stroke, diabetes, high blood pressure and other heart diseases.
Relationship between the HARD and the HEART
A strong physiological and pathophysiological relationship exists between the heart and the penis. The penis is a richly vascularized organ consisting of two corpus cavernosae and a ventral corpus spongiosum surrounding the urethra. These are expandable tissues comprising a meshwork of endothelium-lined, interconnected smooth muscle cells. They expand with an influx of blood in the penile chambers, and the venous blood returns via the deep veins. It needs a simultaneous action of psychological, hormonal, vascular and neurological agents to optimize male sexual function.
However, an erection is a vascular function primarily. Following sexual stimulation, the Nitric Oxide pathway activates, and Nitric Oxide gets released in the penile smooth muscle, which results in engorgement of the tissue spaces, lengthening and enlargement of the penis, and compression of tiny veins. Eventually, it results in complete occlusion of penile venous outflow and trapping of blood within the corpus cavernosae. It leads to the stasis of more blood in the penis and a harder erection.
A satisfactory erection depends on healthy blood flow to the penile tissue. The regulation of blood flow through the peripheral vascular system gets influenced by the endothelial cells in the wall of the blood vessels. Damage happens to these endothelial cells earlier in the cardiovascular condition. It affects the blood flow to the penile tissues, and the reduction in the blood flow reduces erectile function.
Arterial stiffness is a reduction in arterial distensibility. Several molecular, cellular, and genetic causes underlie the mechanism of arterial stiffness. Arteries are composed of three layers:
- Intima: the innermost layer, a single layer of endothelial and connective tissues.
- Media: the middle layer is composed of elastic and smooth muscle tissue.
- Adventitia: the outermost layer composed of fibrous connective tissue.
The distensibility of the arteries decreases if intra-luminal pressure increases or when there is an increase in arterial stiffness due to aging or any pathological changes.
Arterial stiffness results from reversible or irreversible changes in the arterial wall’s structural and cellular components. The cushioning functions of arteries are disturbed in diseases such as atherosclerosis and arteriosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a focal and occlusive disorder that primarily affects the intima. The conduit function is affected due to the narrowing of a major artery and reducing the blood flow to the distal organ or tissues.
ED and Quality of Life (QoL)
QoL is defined as an “individual’s perception of their position in life in the context of the culture and value systems in which they live compared to their goals, expectations, standards and concerns.” It is a broad-ranging concept affected in a complex way by the person’s physical health, psychological state, level of independence, social relationships, and relationships to salient environmental features. The relevance of its dimensions on a person’s life depends on how the individual perceives them.
Sexual dysfunction is impactful on a patient’s QoL and subjective well-being. Research findings have shown that ED significantly negatively affects the QoL of the person with ED and his partner and family.
Non-invasive
- Lifestyle modifications
- Extra Corporal Low-Intensity Shockwave Therapy
- Oral medications: phosphodiesterase inhibitors (e.g., Viagra), testosterone replacement therapy
Invasive
- Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection therapy
- Intraurethral pellets
- Intracavernosal injections
- Vacuum Erection Devices
- Penile implant surgery
We offer Extra Corporal Low-Intensity Radial Shockwave Therapy, specific exercises, and lifestyle modifications. It is a non-invasive treatment known for having no side effects. It does not require administering any medication and requires minimal treatment sessions. Above all, it treats the underlying cause of the pathology. The recent research findings show a favourable effect of Extra Corporal Low-Intensity Shockwave Therapy on repairing the endothelial cells and strengthening the blood vessels. Thus, Extra Corporal Low-Intensity Radial Shockwave Therapy is proven to improve the blood flow in the penile tissues and restore erectile function.
A therapist places a wand-like handheld device over the specific areas of the penis, and the pelvic floor and soundwaves deliver several thousand gentle shocks. There is no need for any anesthesia, as the mild pulses affect the targeted endothelial cells in the walls of the blood vessels and break down the blockage. It promotes tissue repair and new microvascular growth (tiny blood vessels) and improves blood flow. We have seen an improvement in erection on mild to severe levels of ED.
The Extra Corporal Low-Intensity Shockwave Therapy treats other men’s health conditions, such as chronic pelvic pain syndrome and Peyronie’s disease.
No. Extra Corporal Low-Intensity Shockwave Therapy is a pain-free treatment.
Duration of the treatment: 15 min to 30 minutes
Number of sessions 3-12 sessions over nine weeks
Frequency: 1-2/week
The total number of treatment sessions: 3-5 sessions, and most patient experience good results in six weeks to six months.
No, there are no restrictions, and one can enjoy regular activities after treatment.
ED is a strong indicator of cardiovascular risk. More than one cause may present at a time to cause ED. Discussing the symptoms with your doctor is essential to carry out further diagnostic tests and treat any risk. Your family physician could determine the treatment options by considering factors such as testosterone levels, blood pressure and medications. Research shows that Extra Corporal Low-Intensity Shockwave Therapy could be more effective on ED caused by blood vessel dysfunction.