Erectile Dysfunction Center

Erectile Dysfunction FAQ

Answers to the most common questions about ED diagnosis and treatment.

What causes an erection?

When a man is exposed to certain stimuli — physical or mental — neurological signals accompanied by a rush of blood flow are sent to the penis. The two erectile chambers fill with blood, clamping off side veins and trapping blood to create rigidity.

What is Erectile Dysfunction?

Erectile dysfunction is the persistent inability to achieve and/or maintain an erection. This varies in degree and severity from patient to patient.

What causes Erectile Dysfunction?

Age (typically around 50, though men in their 30s and 40s can be affected), medications, obesity, and other medical conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes can all contribute.

Do men need to visit a specialist?

At the very least, men should see a urologist. While oral medication may be an initial treatment, it's important to find the root cause — ED can be an indicator of other health issues.

What treatment options are available?

Risk-factor reduction, lifestyle modification, oral pharmaceuticals (Cialis, Viagra, Levitra), vacuum erection devices, intra-urethral suppositories, and penile injection therapy with signature Obsidian drug combinations. Multi-modal therapy is an option when monotherapy isn't sufficient.

How effective are ED medications?

Approximately 75 percent of men experience some benefit. They work best for mild to moderate cases, and doses can be adjusted to optimize results.

Do ED medications cause side effects?

There are minor side effects, usually mitigated by adjusting dosage or switching to an alternative drug.

When should a man consider penile implant surgery?

This is considered a last resort after failing to achieve satisfactory results with medications or injections.

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