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At the risk of sounding like a cliche, one size DOESN”T fit all when it comes to ED treatment. Fortunately, there are many good treatment options for men  with ED. A man’s response to ED treatment depends of many factors such as the cause of ED, the length of time ED has been present, severity of the ED to name a few. The BEST ED treatment is the one that works for you.

Treatment options for ED include over the counter preparations, Testosterone Replacement Therapy, oral prescription medications (ie Viagra, Levitra, Cialis and now Staxyn), Vacuum Erection Devices, Penile Injection Therapy and Penile Implants. My philosophy: whatever works for you that is safe and effective. So if an over the counter herbal works (and they might in men with mild cases of ED) then go for it. What is important is to have the appropriate evaluation of your ED and have realistic expectations. You’re probably not going to respond to an over the counter oral medication if you had a non nerve sparing Radical Prostatectomy for prostate cancer,  but you might if you have no risk factors such as smoking, Diabetes and you’re in decent physical condition.
It’s essential to have your Testosterone (T) level checked as part of the evaluation. If your T is low your ED may be successfully treated with T replacement alone. Many many who did not respond to oral medications such as Viagra or Cialis will respond if their low T is treated appropriately. (More on Testosterone Replacement Therapy in a future post).

The best way to treat your ED is to start simple and move to different treatments if one doesn’t work.  I will treat low T first and frequently combine this with an oral medication in men with moderate to severe ED (ie Diabetic or men who underwent treatment for  prostate cancer ). If this fails I will recommend penile injection therapy or a Vacuum Erection Device. When a man has tried all of the above options without success the best option is an Inflatable Penile Implant. Without question this is THE best option when a man has tried everything else without success. (See my post on Demember 1).
I would be very happy to discuss the evaluation and best treatment options for your ED. You can call 215-563-1199 to schedule a consultation with me.

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ED (erectile dysfunction) or Impotence is defined as the inability to achieve an erection sufficient for sexual intercourse. This a very common condition which affects over 18 million men worldwide!  Although ED can affect men in their 20′s, it most commonly occurs in men over 40 years old. If we exclude psychological causes of ED (which absolutely exist), the most common causes of ED are Diabetes (#1 on the list), Hypertension, High Cholesterol, Smoking, Obesity, Vascular Disease (including Heart Disease and PAD) and treatment for Prostate Cancer (both Surgery and Radiation).
As you know, lifestyle components such as diet, activity and smoking have a great impact on ones overall health. In fact, most of the conditions noted above, including ED, are greatly impacted if not caused by lifestyle factors making them potentially preventable in many men. Since normal Erectile function is largely about NORMAL BLOOD FLOW getting to the PENIS, maintaing healthy blood vessels is essential for normal erectile function. A healthy diet, regular exercise and avoiding smoking are THE best ways to maintain healthy blood vessels in your body. In fact, several studies have shown significant improvement in erectile function though lifestyle changes alone.  And this doesn’t necessarily mean becoming a vegetarian or a marathon runner!  Your body wants to move and have good nutrients added to it to stay healthy so even small changes in your diet and exercise will have a positive impact on your health: doing SOMETHING is always better than  doing nothing.
Of course, you can be doing all the right things and still develop ED. This is especially true of healthy men undergoing treatment for Prostate Cancer where ED may be an unavoidable side effect requiring treatment.
For the most up to date treatment for ED you need to see a professional, and the best person for this is a Urologist. For a consultation with me to discuss successful ways to treat your ED please call 215-563-1199.

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This is a question I am asked everyday by the men who seek my professional advice in regards to their erectile dysfunction, but only after they have tried every other “treatment” (dietary supplements, vacuum pumps and even prescription medication) all of which failed.   There are situations that simply cannot be effectively treated with the most common methods. For those men for whom nothing else seemed to have worked, their best alternative is to consider a Penile Implant. It simply is the only treatment that fully restores a man’s ability to achieve an erection for complete sexual activity and satisfaction. We’re talking normal sensation and orgasm every time!

What is a penile implant?

It’s a medical device(like a heart valve, knee or hip replacement) that is implanted into the penis through a small opening in the scrotum. Once implanted it cannot be seen and nobody except you knows that it’s there.  Penile implants are one of the most reliable medical devices that are made. The two companies who manufacture Penile Implants are American Medical  Systems and Coloplast.

Is a Penile Implant safe?

As a Urologist who has implanted many of these I have no hesitation recommending a Penile Implant for many of my patients. I always encourage men to get into the best physical condition that’s possible for them before proceeding with an implant. This means obtaining a medical clearance from your doctor stating that you’re fit for the procedure. If you’re Diabetic this must be under control. If you have heart disease this must be stable. If you’re  on any blood thinners they must be able to safetly stop these for 7-10 days prior to placing the implant.

Is a Penile Implant Penile Enlargement Surgery?

NO. Penile enlargement surgery has nothing to do with restoring a man’s sexual function.  A penile implant, however, will prevent a man’s penis from shrinking as often happens after prostate cancer surgery or from simply aging.

How do I know if a Penile Implant is for me?

Having a discussion with a Urologist who is experienced in Penile Implant Surgery is the best way to make an informed decision to proceed with this. This is something I am very experienced in and would be glad to have an in depth conversation with you about. Please call 215-563-1199 to schedule a consultation with me.

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