Though all men may experience an occasional lapse of sexual function, ED is the recurring inability to achieve an adequate erection, despite being sexually aroused. The Canadian Study of Erectile Dysfunction identified that ED impacts half of men over 40.
Erectile dysfunction is a potentially treatable medical condition that is not related to masculinity or sexual prowess.
Symptoms of ED can include:
For some men with ED, penetration may not be possible. For others, penetration can be initiated but not maintained until orgasm is reached.
Men with ED can lose confidence in their sexual ability and their overall sense of self-worth can be negatively affected.
Erectile dysfunction can have a devastating psychological impact for individuals and couples.
While both psychological and biological factors can cause erectile dysfunction, in reality the mind and body work together in sexual arousal, so most men have both factors in varying proportions.
Men with healthier lifestyles – no tobacco, less sitting, more exercise, and who maintain a healthy weight – typically have a lower risk of erectile dysfunction than other men in the same age group.
Aging is a key contributor in the development of erectile dysfunction.
Lifestyle choices and health conditions which can also contribute include:
ED is a treatable condition and many men are able to return to healthy sexual function with a course of treatment at Saskatchewan Sexual Health Clinic for Men.
The doctor will evaluate your case and determine a course of action.
We are a procedural clinic offering emerging therapies for Peyronie’s disease and ED. Treatment at our clinic is not covered by provincial insurance plans. Our therapies should be considered in addition to other options offered elsewhere.
Many options are available, including first line treatments such as oral medication and the use of mechanical devices like the vacuum erection device (VED).
Second line treatments include penile injections or topical applications with vasoactive medications.
Lastly, if reversible treatments fail, penile prosthesis can be surgically implanted by urologists.
Patients should do everything they can to improve their vascular and aerobic health. Exercise is important, as is a good diet.
Lifestyle changes may allow a man to achieve an erection more easily. Some of the potential lifestyle changes a man can try include:
A man may also want to undergo counselling to help with stress, anxiety, or depression. Changes of this kind are intended to improve the ability to have sexual intercourse without worrying about ED symptoms.
