Erectile dysfunction, or impotence, is characterized by a persistent inability to achieve an erection. Specifically, this may be an inability to maintain one’s erection until orgasm or, alternatively, the inability to become firm enough to penetrate one’s partner.

ED can have numerous causes, including:

• Psychological issues, such as anxiety, stress or relationship problems.
• Vascular problems, such as narrowing of the blood vessels. This can be caused by poor lifestyle habits or illness and is associated with smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
• Neurological problems, in particular, damage to the nerve endings. This is typically caused by diabetes, multiple sclerosis, a stroke, a herniated disc or another medical condition.
• Hormonal imbalance, for example, a low testosterone level.
• Drug side effects, in particular those caused by antidepressants, antipsychotics and recreational drugs.
• Treatments for prostate cancer, specifically, a radical proctectomy or radiation therapy (brachytherapy).

Erectile dysfunction can be caused by a number of factors and it’s generally complicated for patients to identify them on their own. A doctor will be able to isolate the factors by reviewing the patient’s medical file, performing a physical examination (examining the genitals, testing blood pressure, the heartbeat, blood sugar levels, blood cholesterol levels, etc.), conducting a neurological examination and reviewing the patient’s use of substances associated with erection problems (tobacco, drugs, certain medications, alcohol).

Note that adopting healthy lifestyle habits, such as eating well, being physically active, quitting smoking and reducing alcohol consumption, can play a major role in helping patients avoid developing the sorts of diseases that cause erection problems. If physical health is not an issue for a patient, then seeing a psychologist or sex therapist may be the best course of action. In any case, the doctor will guide the patient to the treatment that is most appropriate for him.

Patients with ED rely on medical intervention to be able to perform during sex. There are several types of drug treatments:

• Oral PDE-5 inhibitors (Viagra, Cialis, Levitra and Staxyn).
• Intra-urethral medication (Muse)
• Intracavernous injections of vasodilators (Caverjet or Trimix)

Erectile dysfunction drugs are usually effective, are reasonably safe and have only mild or minor side effects. Most of them are taken as needed, before the sexual act, and their effect is temporary: they don’t improve erection quality in general.

While the daily administration of Cialis at 5 mg allows for more a spontaneous sex life, it doesn’t, however, treat the cause of erectile dysfunction.

• Shockwave therapy
• Penile implant
• Platelet-rich plasma injection
• Penile pumps
• Intracavernous injections

Cliniques Marois offers a variety of treatments for erectile dysfunction. In addition, we can analyze blood flow in your penis using a penile ultrasound and doppler.

Contact us to learn more about ED treatment options in Montreal, Laval, Greenfield Park and Quebec City.