Do you suffer from erectile dysfunction and are looking for a specialist in urology for treatment in Barcelona?
Erectile dysfunction affects about 30% of men over 40, but it is often diagnosed late, as it is still often difficult for patients to cope with, get diagnosis and speak openly about.
However, there are now many treatments, both medicinal and non-medicinal, available to men who suffer from this problem.
If you are in this situation, do not hesitate to make an appointment with our specialist urologist for a sympathetic and completely personalised treatment.
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What is erectile dysfunction?
It is a repeated inability to achieve an adequate erection, or to maintain a sufficient penile rigidity to last in a sexual act of penetration or during masturbation.
This disorder does not present any health risk. However, it can have a significant impact on the quality of life of the patient and his or her partner.
It is important to note that erectile dysfunction is to be distinguished from the absence of libido which is rather called aphanisis, as well as from anorgasmia which designates the impossibility to reach orgasm. It can however coexist with these disorders.
The different types of erectile dysfunction
There are generally two types of erectile dysfunction:
- Organic or primary erectile dysfunction due to aging or disease;
- Psychogenic or secondary erectile dysfunction due to psychological, emotional, relational or situational problems.
What causes erectile dysfunction?
Organic causes
There are many causes of erectile dysfunction but the main one is simply ageing. It is a problem that affects less than 10% of people under 50, and more than 30% of people over 60.
Circulatory problems are another very common cause, including:
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Kidney failure
- Hyperlipidaemia
- Neurological diseases (stroke, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, but also trauma to the nervous system, etc.) or hormonal imbalances (male hormone deficiency due to hypogonadism, thyroid disease, etc.) also cause erectile dysfunction.
Finally, prostate surgery can also be a cause. Vasectomy does not affect erectile function.
Psychological causes
In many men, erectile function can be temporarily, episodically or permanently disturbed by psychogenic causes (stress, fatigue, emotional reaction or psychological and/or psychiatric disorders).
Your health is our priority.
Our team of urologists treats urinary tract disorders in women and men.
How is an erectile dysfunction diagnosed?
It is advisable to consult a urologist when erectile dysfunction has lasted for more than 3 months or is causing physical and/or psychological suffering.
During the consultation, the doctor will ask the patient about the characteristics of the dysfunction: sudden or gradual onset, permanent or intermittent erectile difficulties, situations that favour the disorder, etc.
Then, various examinations may be prescribed to refine the diagnosis:
- An examination of the genitals including a rectal examination to check the prostate.
- A recording of nocturnal erections on waking and/or during REM sleep.
- A blood test to check for diabetes, kidney disease or high cholesterol, as well as a testosterone level, which may suggest an endocrine cause.
- Doppler-duplex ultrasonography or selective angiography of the penile arteries to detect possible vascular pathologies of the penis.
- A cardiovascular examination to look for possible high blood pressure or a cardiac disorder that may explain the disorder.
- A neurological examination to rule out certain pathologies such as Parkinson's disease, for example.
Treatment of erectile dysfunction at Turó Park Medical Clinic
Several treatments can be offered depending on each patient's cause of the problem.
Local treatments are intended to induce an erection. There are three of them:
- Prostaglandin injections
- Intraurethral application of PGE1 (MUSE®)
- Application of an alprostadil-based cream to the meatus
For all three treatments, a learning phase with a health professional is necessary to reduce the risk of injury, pain or misadministration.
Also known as a vacuum or vacuum erector, the vacuum pump is a mechanical medical device that allows an erection to be achieved without the need for medication or surgery.
The pump works as follows: blood is first drawn to the penis through a vacuum in a tube and then, in order to maintain the erection, the subject slides a constriction ring (a kind of tourniquet) at the base of the penis in order to maintain his erection and have sexual intercourse.
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