Erectile dysfunction (or ED) is the inability to achieve or maintain a penile erection that is adequate for sexual intercourse.
ED is a common problem, affecting up to 40% of Australian men at some time in their lives. Most men will notice a deterioration in their erections and sexual performance as a normal part of the aging process, however there is no reason why you cannot remain sexually active well into your seventies or eighties if you want to. You just may need some help!
Is there an underlying cause for my ED?
A full medical assessment will involve a consultation with physical examination and blood tests. We need to determine if there are any underlying conditions that may be contributing to the ED such as diabetes, vascular disease, prostate cancer, abnormalities of the penis such as Peyronie’s disease or side effects of some common medications.
What are the options for Treatment?
Oral tablets – (Viagra, Levitra, Cialis and others) are the simplest treatment, and we usually try them first. Some men can’t take these tablets due to heart disease or drug interactions. The tablets may also have unwanted side-effects.
Intracavernosal Injections – medication is injected directly into the penis. This can be a bit intimidating at first, but the medication works in around 70% of cases and is very safe. We have evening consultations available where we can teach you how to do this.
Penile Prosthesis Surgery – this is usually thought of as a last resort, but for young men who have a long sex life ahead of them, it probably should be considered earlier. Many men who have ED due to diabetes, vascular disease or cancer treatment may find this is the best long-term option available.
The surgery is done through a small incision at the front of the scrotum. Two inflatable cylinders are implanted into the penis and connected by tubing to a pump in the scrotum and a reservoir in the abdominal cavity. When you squeeze the scrotal pump, fluid moves from the reservoir into the cylinders in the penis to give you an erection. When you want it to go down, you push the deflate button. The penile implant can be inflated in a few seconds and will stay up as long as you like.
Mr Stephen Lindsay has more than 30 years experience in performing penile prosthesis surgery.