Erectile dysfunction, or ED, is the inability to attain or maintain an erection of adequate quality for penetration during intercourse. The incidence of ED in the US increases with advancing age and is estimated at 52 percent of men between the ages of 40 and 70.
ED can be caused by a variety of factors. Diagnostic testing will include a comprehensive history and physical examination, ultrasound evaluation, biothesiometry and dynamic penile blood-flow testing. Treatment may include oral therapies, local suppositories, intracavernosal injection therapy, external vacuum devices, androgen replacement therapy and penile prosthetics. With this full spectrum of therapy for ED, most men can be assured that they will have improvements in erectile function.
The association between ED and underlying cardiovascular disease is a well known phenomenon that has been demonstrated in several studies; cardiovascular disease is also a men’s health problem, and ED has been shown to affect men before the onset of their initial cardiac symptoms. Patients at the Men’s Health Program will receive referrals, if appropriate, to cardiologists within the El Camino Hospital network.