Surgical Management of Erectile Dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction, which is also known as male impotence, is generally defined as the man's inability to achieve and maintain an erection that is considered relatively sufficient to experience a mutually satisfying intercourse with his partner.

The quality of one's life is greatly determined by one's sexual health and function. Diseases and disorders like erectile dysfunction become increasingly more significant as men age. With the wide debate and discussion over the subject among the media and other channels, both men and women strive to look for guidance and help on how to enhance relationships and maintain healthy and satisfying sex lives.


What Is Sexual Dysfunction?

Also called impotence, erectile dysfunction can affect men of all ages although the chances of developing the disease are greater among older men. Although it is considered for some men to experience erectile dysfunction on occasional basis, the condition can bring about adverse effects in one's self-esteem, emotional health, and on relationships especially when experienced chronically. It could also be that the male impotence can be a serious symptom of an underlying health problem.

High blood pressure, nervous system disorders, diabetes, heart disease, and even depression are just some of the health disorders that are commonly associated with sexual dysfunction. It can also be an unwanted side effect from taking some medications. In some men however, it could be a system from other diseases and disorders that convinces them that it is definitely the time that they get themselves checked by the doctor.


What Causes Erectile Dysfunction?

As a complex process, sexual arousal in males will involve the occurrence of a complex and intricate process wherein problems within the process will bring about the problem:

• Getting a man aroused means triggering a complex process that involves the man's emotions, hormones, blood vessels, muscles, nerves, and the brain. When the man suffers from a problem or problems from any of these components of the process, he will experience erectile dysfunction.
  
  
• Eighty-five percent of the erectile dysfunction cases are brought about by physical causes, which include but are not limited to high blood pressure, neurological disorders, diabetes, heart diseases, and other relevant health problems.
  
  
• Fifteen percent of erectile dysfunction cases are attributed to psychological causes that include depression, anxiety, relationship problems, and stress.
  
  
• A combination of physical as well as psychological concerns may also bring about erectile dysfunction such that when you are having problems getting an erection and causing you to be anxious, this can eventually trigger an erectile dysfunction.
  
  
• Substance abuse, alcohol drinking, smoking, and other lifestyle factors can increase a man's risk for erectile dysfunction.
  
  

How Can Erectile Dysfunction Be Treated Surgically?

Erectile dysfunction has witnessed the development and ushering of various treatment methods over the past several years. Modern-day urologists and other health experts continue to help millions of men who have been suffering from erectile dysfunction with the help of the advancements that came with the advent of technology. Among the surgical solutions that can be readily offered to men suffering from erectile dysfunction:

• Penile Implants or Prostheses. One of the leading therapeutic solutions for erectile dysfunction is the use of surgical implants that help and ensure erection.
  
  
• Vacuum Devices for Erection. One of the safe alternatives in causing an erection for those suffering from erectile dysfunction is the use of vacuum erection devices. With the use of a pump and an occluding band, it draws blood into the penis helping cause an erection.
  
  
• Injection Therapy for the Penis. This process involves injecting the corpora cavernosa directly with vasoactive drugs that causes the vessels to expand, the muscles to relax, and the blood flow to increase, and eventually bring about an erection.
  
  
• Oral Therapy. The most popular treatment of choice for the millions of men suffering from ED is oral therapy, which involves the intake of pills such as tadalafil, sildenafil, and vardenafil that boosts the cyclic guanosine monophosphate levels in men that are responsible for relaxing the blood vessels and triggering an erection.
  
  
• Revascularization of the Penile Arteries. The procedure aims to correct vessel injuries that men under the age of 45 have at the bases of their penis that may have been caused by a fracture in their pelvis or a blunt trauma. Here, the doctor may have to connect nearby arteries and clear the pathway to allow enough blood to flow to the penis and encourage erection.
  
  
• Venous Ligation. This surgery aims to bind the penile vessels that have leaks so there is enough blood trapped in the penile area and have an appropriate erection possible during sexual intercourse. But since the success rates of the surgery accounts for less than 50 percent, this method is not among the favorites for treating erectile dysfunction.
  
  

Getting any surgical treatment for erectile dysfunction however entails getting a thorough examination with your doctor and a detailed discussion about the risks and all other important factors that you should consider prior to the operation. It is also necessary that you inform your doctor about any other health conditions that you are suffering from or any medications that you are currently taking as they may affect the procedure itself or the result of the surgery.


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