Erectile dysfunction
What is erectile dysfunction? Erectile dysfunction is the inability to achieve or maintain an erection sufficient for satisfactory sexual intercourse. Erectile dysfunction can occur occasionally or regularly, with or without a clear cause. Some men with ED are unable to get an erection at all.
What should I bring to my first appointment?
A list of medications you are taking and their dosage
Preliminary findings
Findings from previous examinations
IEEF-5 Questionnaire
Our services
Shock wave therapy (ESWT)
Cavernous body implant (penile prosthesis)
Medication (PDE-5 inhibitors)
Vacuum pump
Topical therapies
Intracavernous injections
What actually is an erection?
Building an erection is not as simple as it seems, as it requires anatomical, hormonal and psychological elements.
The penis consists of soft, spongy and elastic tissue (erectile tissue) that fills with blood to make it grow and become firm. The nerves around the spongy tissue and the prostate send signals that stimulate the blood supply through the blood vessels. These signals are controlled by the male sex hormone testosterone.
What is erectile dysfunction?
Erectile dysfunction is the inability to achieve or maintain an erection sufficient for a satisfactory sexual act. Erectile dysfunction can occur occasionally or regularly, with or without a clear cause. Some men with ED are unable to get an erection at all.
To objectify a possible erectile dysfunction, there are various ways to determine the current potency status. The so-called IIEF-5 questionnaire is a helpful method for quantifying erectile dysfunction and determining the indication for treatment. To determine your risk profile, we ask you to answer the questions in the questionnaire.
ED is not dangerous in itself, but it is often associated with cardiovascular risk factors that need to be ruled out. In addition to the health impairment, a potency disorder often also represents a major psychological burden and a strain on the relationship.
How often does it occur?
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common sexual disorder in men. Erectile dysfunction can become noticeable at any age, but the higher the age, the higher the incidence. From the age of 70, this is already over 50 %.
What causes erectile dysfunction?
Heart disease is a common cause of ED.
Other common causes are:
- Diabetes mellitus
- Nerve damage to the penis or pelvic area
- Pelvic surgery
- Radiotherapy in the pelvic area
- Low testosterone levels
- Neurological diseases such as Parkinson's disease
Treatment options
In view of the complexity and diverse causes of erectile dysfunction, an individual treatment plan is drawn up after a thorough discussion with the patient, based on the patient's expectations and wishes.
Our options range from less invasive therapies (drug treatment or shockwave therapy) to surgical procedures with erectile tissue implants, also known as "penile prosthesis". To find out more about these treatments, do not hesitate to consult the links on the website or make an appointment at our practice.