Erectile Dysfunction
Erectile Dysfunction Care at UVM Health
Erectile dysfunction, also called ED, impotence or erection problems, is ongoing difficulty getting or keeping an erection firm enough for sex. It's a common problem for men and occurs more frequently with age.
Erectile dysfunction can affect intimacy and your relationship with your partner. At University of Vermont Health, we offer specialized expertise in a supportive, compassionate environment to help improve your quality of life.
Why Choose UVM Health?
We offer:
- Individualized care: Many issues can cause ED, including cardiovascular conditions, nerve damage, prior radiation and emotional stress. We work with you and your partner to determine the condition's cause and develop a treatment plan that supports your needs.
- Highly skilled providers collaborating on your behalf: Our fellowship-trained urologists have additional training in sexual dysfunction and advanced prosthetics. Depending on the condition's cause, we collaborate with specialists throughout UVM Health on your treatment.
- Next-level care from an academic medical center: As part of a health system anchored by an academic medical center, our physician-leaders are active researchers, many of whom are training the next generation of experts. You benefit from access to the latest breakthroughs in ED care.
- Wide variety of effective treatment options: We offer all treatment options for ED, focusing on noninvasive methods first. If you need surgery, you can feel confident in our board-certified surgeons' expertise.
Causes of Erectile Dysfunction
While aging doesn’t cause ED, men are more likely to get ED as they get older. Other physical, emotional and lifestyle factors can contribute to ED, including:
Some illnesses and diseases can contribute to erectile dysfunction, including:
- Heart and blood vessel conditions, such as atherosclerosis and high blood pressure
- Chronic kidney disease
- Effects from prostate cancer treatments like radiation and surgery
- Injury to the bladder, pelvis, penis, prostate or spinal cord
- Multiple sclerosis
- Peyronie’s disease (penile fibrosis)
- Type 2 diabetes
Sex is a function of the mind and body. If you are stressed or have emotional difficulties, you may have trouble getting aroused. You may experience ED if you have:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Fear or guilt of failing at sex
- Low self-esteem
ED can be a side effect of some prescription and over-the-counter drugs, including:
- Appetite suppressants
- Blood pressure medicines
- Antiandrogens for prostate cancer
- Antidepressants
- Tranquilizers or sedatives
- Ulcer medications
Lifestyle factors affecting ED include:
- Being overweight
- Using illegal drugs
- Not exercising or being physically active
- Drinking alcohol to excess
- Smoking
Diagnosing Erectile Dysfunction
To diagnose ED and determine its cause, your provider will ask about your physical and emotional health, sexual history and lifestyle. Your provider will also ask about the frequency of your ED symptoms and under what conditions they occur.
Your provider will then complete a physical examination, focusing on your genitalia (penis and testicles). You may need some tests, including:
We test a blood sample to check your levels of hormones, glucose, cholesterol and triglycerides. A urine test can detect other factors that could lead to ED.
Your doctor inserts a gloved, lubricated finger in the rectum to feel for any prostate abnormalities.
After conducting initial tests, your doctor may ask you to try a medicine that helps create an erection. If medication doesn't help, you may need more tests, including:
- Nocturnal penile tumescence (NPT) test: This test checks to see if you're having normal erections during sleep. You can have this test at home or in a sleep lab.
- Intracavernosal injection test: During this test, your doctor injects a medicine into the side of the penis to create an erection. We measure the erection's fullness and duration.
- Doppler ultrasound test: One of our healthcare professionals passes a handheld tool over your penis. The tool uses high-frequency sound waves to measure blood flow through your penis.
My doctor was outstanding. He kept me at ease during the appointment. He did a great job taking care of my current situation and explained the next step.
Erectile Dysfunction Treatment
You, your provider and your partner work together to develop an ED treatment plan. Your personalized plan may include one or more of the following options:
Distressing feelings can cause or worsen ED. Talking with your partner and/or a mental health expert may help alleviate concerns and help you feel more confident.
Your provider may ask you to take measures to improve your overall health, including:
- Quitting smoking
- Stopping using illegal drugs
- Limiting alcohol consumption
- Increasing physical activity
- Eating healthy foods
Prescription drugs may help alleviate erectile dysfunction symptoms. Types of ED medications include:
- Pills you take by mouth, such as Viagra™, Cialis™ and Levitra™
- Medicine (alprostadil) that you or a provider injects into your penis or inserts in the urethra
If tests determine that you have low levels of testosterone, hormone replacement therapy may help. Testosterone therapy can be delivered in many ways, including:
- Gel that you apply to your skin or nasal passages
- Injections
- Pellets that your provider implants under the skin
- Pills or other oral methods
- Wearable patch
Vacuum devices have a tube that you place around the penis. You pump the device to create suction that leads to an erection.
If other methods do not work, your provider may recommend surgery to insert a penile implant. Options include:
- Bendable rods
- Cylinders that you inflate with a pump
Locations Near You
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792 College Parkway
Suite 302
Colchester, VT 05446-3052
111 Colchester Avenue
Main Campus, East Pavilion, Level 5
Burlington, VT 05401-1473
1330 Exchange Street, #103
Middlebury, VT 05753-4464
133 Park Street
Second Floor
Malone, NY 12953-1244
130 Fisher Road
MOB-A Suite 2-2
Berlin, VT 05602-9000
15 Degrandpre Way
Plattsburgh, NY 12901-6449