Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a condition marked by the frequent inability to get or maintain an erection, even when arousal is present. Far from unusual, ED currently affects an estimated 30 million men in the United States1. While it can be challenging to address with a healthcare provider, knowing it is a common and treatable condition can help encourage a more open dialogue.
ED was once considered a psychological disorder, but research has found that as many as 80 percent of cases have an organic aetiology2. Issues as diverse as arterial inflow disorders, neurogenic issues, and reduced serum testosterone levels2Â can all play a role in this common condition, making it necessary to determine the underlying cause for proper treatment to be administered.
Healthcare providers should understand that, even though a majority of ED cases are physical, many men with the condition struggle with psychological consequences as well, including shame, anxiety, depression, and a loss of self-esteem3. This further illustrates the importance of providing safe and workable solutions for patients experiencing ED.
Treating Erectile Dysfunction
By far, the most common treatment for erectile dysfunction is oral medication such as sildenafil, vardenafil, tadalafil, and avanafil, which work by temporarily enhancing the effects of nitrous oxide and increasing blood flow to the penis4. Generally safe and effective, these medications offer acute relief from ED, but cannot reverse the disorder.
Other treatments, including injection therapy, surgical penile implants, and vacuum devices5, may provide longer-lasting results, but often fail to correct the issue permanently. All hope is not lost, however. New research has found great promise in testosterone therapy as a method of both treating and reversing ED6.
Testosterone decline is, like ED, ubiquitous. Peaking in early adulthood, testosterone levels in men decline at an average rate of one to three percent after the age of 407. By the age of 70, 30 percent of men will have testosterone levels low enough to contribute to issues such as fatigue, depression, low libido, and ED6. Addressing this issue through bio-identical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) has been shown to improve these conditions significantly, working in some cases to reverse ED entirely.
BHRT Delivery
BHRT is often delivered through oral medications and creams. However, these methods rely on daily application or ingestion, which some patients may easily forget or overlook. Pellet therapy eliminates this concern, allowing consistent and predictable levels of hormones to be delivered for several months at a time.
As a leader in health and hormone treatments, Pellecome® offers a range of solutions designed to assist men dealing with declining testosterone levels, including one of the most innovative BHRT delivery systems available today. Our Re3® Advanced Pellet Delivery System has been specifically designed for improved provider comfort and consistent patient results, and is exclusively available through our trusted healthcare partners. For more information about adding our cutting-edge and long-lasting ED treatments to your practice, please visit our licensing page or call us at 888-773-9969 to speak with us today.
- Urology Care Foundation, America Urological Association. What is Erectile Dysfunction?. Available from https://www.urologyhealth.org/urology-a-z/e/erectile-dysfunction-(ed)
- Yafi FA, Jenkins L, Albersen M, et al. Erectile dysfunction. Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2016;2:16003. Published 2016 Feb 4. doi:10.1038/nrdp.2016.3; Available from:Â https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5027992/
- Sooriyamoorthy T, Leslie SW. Erectile Dysfunction. [Updated 2022 Nov 28]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Available from:Â https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK562253/
- Mayo Clinic Staff. Erectile dysfunction: Viagra and other oral medications. Published 2022 December 20. Available from:Â https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/erectile-dysfunction/in-depth/erectile-dysfunction/art-20047821
- Yale Medicine. Erectile Dysfunction. Available from:Â https://www.yalemedicine.org/conditions/erectile-dysfunction
- Rizk PJ, Kohn TP, Pastuszak AW, Khera M. Testosterone therapy improves erectile function and libido in hypogonadal men. Curr Opin Urol. 2017;27(6):511-515. doi:10.1097/MOU.0000000000000442. Available from:Â https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5649360/
- Cleveland Urology Associates. When Do Men Need Low Testosterone Treatment?. Available from:Â https://clevelandurology.net/posts/mens-health/when-do-men-need-low-testosterone-treatment/