Erectile Dysfunction

Erectile Dysfunction

  • Overview
  • Appointments
  • Symptoms
  • Diagnosis
  • Treatment
  • Patient Resources
  • Locations
  • Doctors
  • Providers

    • What is erectile dysfunction?

    An erection problem means that you can't get or keep an erection that is firm enough for you to have sex. Erection problems are also called erectile dysfunction or impotence.

    Erection problems can happen at any age but are more common if you have other health problems, like diabetes. Having an occasional episode is considered normal and usually isn't a serious problem.

    Appointment Information

    If you are a patient looking to receive kind and compassionate care at the leading urologic practice in Michigan, call 734–936–7030 to make an appointment. 

    What are the symptoms of erectile dysfunction?

    The only symptom of an erection problem is being unable to get and keep an erection that is firm enough or lasts long enough to have sex. But even with an erection problem, you may still have sexual desire and be able to have an orgasm and to ejaculate.

    How is erectile dysfunction diagnosed?

    Your doctor can find out if you have an erection problem by asking questions about your health and doing a physical exam. Your doctor will want to know how often the problem happens. Lab tests, and sometimes mental health tests, can also help find out the cause of the problem.

    How is erectile dysfunction treated?

    Medicines that can help produce an erection may be used to treat erection problems that are caused by vascular (blood vessel), hormonal, nervous system, or psychological problems. The medicines also may be used with counseling. Together, they can treat erection problems that have psychological causes.

    Commonly used oral medicines include:

    • PDE-5 inhibitors. These medicines work by helping to relax the blood vessels in your penis, allowing more blood to flow into your penis when you get sexually excited. This can help you have an erection. Examples are sildenafil (such as Viagra), tadalafil (such as Cialis), and vardenafil (such as Levitra).

    PDE-5 inhibitors should never be used if you may need to take a nitrate-containing medicine, such as nitroglycerin. Taking nitroglycerin and a PDE-5 inhibitor within 24 hours (or 72 hours for long-acting tadalafil) of each other may greatly lower your blood pressure. This could lead to a heart attack, stroke, or death.

    Talk with your doctor about whether oral medicines for erection problems are safe if you:

    • Have heart disease.
    • Have heart failure or low blood pressure.
    • Are taking drugs for high blood pressure.

    If you cannot take these oral medicines or they don't work for you, your doctor might recommend other medicines. They include:

    • Inserted medicine. A thin tube contains a small pellet of medicine. You insert the tube into the opening in the end of your penis. When you press a button on the applicator, the pellet is released into the penis. The erection that follows usually lasts at least 30 minutes, depending on how much medicine you use.
    • Injected medicine. You inject medicine, using a tiny needle, into the side of the penis. The erection that follows usually lasts 30 minutes or longer, depending on how much medicine you use.

    An erection that does not go away after 3 to 4 hours when using any of these medicines (oral, inserted, or injected) is an emergency. Call your doctor right away or go to the nearest emergency room.

    Hormones and other medicines may be prescribed if you have low testosterone or high prolactin levels.

    How can you care for yourself when you have erectile dysfunction?

    Lifestyle

    • Limit alcohol. Have no more than 2 drinks a day.
    • Do not smoke. Smoking makes it harder for the blood vessels in the penis to relax and let blood flow in. If you need help quitting, talk to your doctor about stop-smoking programs and medicines. These can increase your chances of quitting for good.
    • Do not use cocaine, heroin, or other illegal drugs.
    • Try to reduce stress.
    • Give yourself time to adjust to change. Changes in your job, family, relationships, home life, and other areas can cause stress. And stress can cause erection problems.

    Work with your partner

    • Talk with your partner about what time of day works best for having sex. Mornings may be a good time since you are both rested. Also, some medicines that help with erections need to be taken on an empty stomach.
    • If either of you are too tired or have a lot on your mind, wait until another time to have sex.
    • Ask what your partner likes when it comes to sex. Talk about what each of you does and does not enjoy.
    • Make time outside of the bedroom to talk about your sex life. If you avoid sex because you are afraid of having erection problems, your partner may worry that you are no longer interested.
    • If you and your partner have trouble talking about sex, see a therapist. They may help you talk about it. Reading books with your partner about sexual health may also help.
    • Relax. Take time for more foreplay. Worrying about your erections may only make things worse.

    Medicines

    • Tell your doctor about all the medicines that you take.
      • Some medicines can cause erection problems.
      • Some medicines can have dangerous interactions with medicines that are prescribed for erection problems. These include over-the-counter medicines and herbal products.
    • Be safe with medicines. Take your medicines exactly as prescribed. Call your doctor if you think you are having a problem with your medicine.
    • Talk to your doctor about trying a medicine to help you keep an erection. This could be a medicine like sildenafil (such as Viagra), tadalafil (such as Cialis), or vardenafil (such as Levitra). If you have a heart problem, ask your doctor if these are safe for you. Do not take these medicines if you take nitroglycerin or other nitrate medicine.

    Locations
    • Urology Clinic | Brighton Center for Specialty Care 7500 Challis Rd
      Entrance 1, Level 2
      Brighton, MI 48116-9416       Get Directions
    • Urology Clinic | Taubman Center 1500 E Medical Center Dr
      Floor 2 Reception C
      Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5330       Get Directions
    • Urology Clinic | West Ann Arbor Health Center-Parkland Plaza 380 Parkland Plaza Ste 210
      Floor 2
      Ann Arbor, MI 48103-6201       Get Directions

    Doctors

     Search for a U-M Health doctor     James Michael Dupree, IV, MD

    James Michael Dupree, MD

    Clinical Professor

    Urology

    Miriam Hadj-Moussa, MD

    Miriam Hadj-Moussa, MD

    Clinical Associate Professor

    Urology

    Bahaa Sami Malaeb, MD

    Bahaa Sami Malaeb, MD

    Clinical Associate Professor

    Urology

    Michigan Photo

    Dana Alan Ohl, MD

    Professor

    Urology

    Providers

     Search for a U-M Health provider     Diane Marie Collin, PA-C

    Diane Marie Lockhart, PA-C

    Physician Assistant

    Physician Assistant

    Michigan Photo

    Stanley Gitau Mukundi, PA-C

    Physician Assistant

    Physician Assistant

    labcoat

    Susanne Anne Quallich, NP

    Advanced Practice Nurse

    Nurse Practitioner - Adult Health, Nurse Practitioner

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