Erectile Dysfunction Prevention in Lutz, FL

Men's Sexual Health & Aging

Regardless of age, sexual health is a fundamental part of men's overall wellness, and the desire for intimacy does not diminish as men age. Unfortunately, while this sexual desire persists throughout life, male sex organs can become dysfunctional and impact sexual activity.

The most common form of sexual dysfunction experienced by men is erectile dysfunction (ED). ED is characterized by an inability to achieve or maintain an erection. More than 20 million men in America experience ED; however, even though the frequency of ED increases with age, aging itself is not a cause of male impotence. ED and other male sexual dysfunction concerns frequently result from underlying health issues including metabolic syndrome, diabetes, obesity, side effects from medications, poor lifestyle habits and especially vascular occlusion (blockage of blood vessels).

Fortunately, there are steps you can take to prevent erectile dysfunction and additional steps you can take to prevent its recurrence if ED has impacted your sexual health in the past. To schedule a consultation with a healthcare provider in Lutz who specializes in erectile dysfunction prevention and treatment, call (813) 536-3212 or contact Dr. Christopher Van Benschoten online.

Common Causes of Erectile Dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction may be caused by physiological or psychological factors. In men over the age of 50, physiological factors account for more than 90% of all common causes of ED.

Common factors—both physiological and psychological—that may contribute to the development of ED include:

• Poor circulation (vascular insufficiency)
• Cardiovascular disease
• Alcohol or tobacco use
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Hypertension
• Diabetes
• Medications including hypertensive drug, antidepressants and antihistamines
• Hypothyroidism
• Decreased male hormone levels
• Elevated levels of estrogen
• Prostate disease
• Disease or trauma to the sexual organs
• Neurological disorders
• High stress levels
• Anxiety
• Depression

Examining specific circulatory, lifestyle, metabolic, dietary and hormone imbalances can go a long way in preventing and reversing ED, as well as preventing its recurrence.

How to Prevent ED

Two key elements to erectile dysfunction prevention and overall male sexual health are your day-to-day lifestyle choices and how you control health conditions which already impact your life.

Make Smart Lifestyle Choices

Healthy erectile function is largely dependent upon healthy lifestyle and good nutrition. In order to maintain the optimal physiological state required for healthy sexual performance consider these ways to prevent ED in your everyday life:

• Following a regular exercise program, as ED exercises like Kegel exercises improve male sexual performance, increase circulation and help to alleviate stress
• Eliminating the use of tobacco which contributes to atherosclerosis
• Minimizing the use of alcohol as it impairs sexual function
• Consuming a health-promoting diet, particularly minimizing the use of unhealthy fats and foods high in cholesterol

Take Control of Underlying Health Conditions

Proper blood flow through the arteries and endothelial function (function of the thin arterial lining) are essential to sexual arousal. The blood vessels supply the penis with nutrients, such as nitric oxide, that are vital in the development of an erection. Nitric oxide relaxes blood vessels and enables efficient blood flow. Many common health conditions can impact this blood flow and cause ED including atherosclerosis, heart disease, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity.

Your healthcare practitioner plays a critical role in your journey towards optimal sexual health. He or she can address any underlying conditions impacting blood flow to the penis or other health concerns impacting sexual function such as a hormone imbalance or prostate issues. He or she may recommend revising your lifestyle habits (as mentioned above), as well as medical treatments designed to address these underlying conditions. Your practitioner can also review your medication usage routinely to make sure nothing you take is creating side effects which may contribute to ED symptoms.

Preventing the Reoccurrence of Erectile Dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction and other sexual dysfunction issues can be ongoing battles. For the more than 20 million men who have or have had erectile dysfunction, the preventative steps outlined above can also work to prevent ED's recurrence. If you have experienced ED in the past, your healthcare practitioner may recommend more routine appointments to monitor sexual function and the underlying conditions which may continue to disrupt proper blood flow to the penis.

In addition, your healthcare provider can utilize a non-surgical medical treatment called extracorporeal shock wave therapy to treat erectile dysfunction and to keep it from returning. Extracorporeal shock wave therapy activates the body's repair mechanisms through the use of pulsating waves. These pulsating waves promote increased blood flow to the penis by opening up blood vessels and stimulate new blood vessel growth.

Extracorporeal shock wave therapy is a simple in-office procedure that is completed in under 30 minutes in your healthcare provider's office. With no downtime and long-lasting results, it's a powerful tool in your provider's arsenal of treatment options. For ED sufferers, shock wave therapy will be completed in routine sessions over the course of just a few weeks. Depending on the severity of erectile dysfunction and overall health goals, a provider will likely recommend follow-up treatments every 1-6 months. Your specific treatment recommendations are best provided by an erectile dysfunction specialist.

For more erectile dysfunction prevention tips, or to discuss innovative treatment options like extracorporeal shock wave therapy with a healthcare practitioner that specializes in male sexual dysfunction, call (813) 536-3212 or contact Dr. Christopher Van Benschoten online.