Men’s Health Month – Raising Awareness about Erectile Dysfunction

Men’s Health Month is a time to raise awareness about preventable male health issues and encourage the importance of early detection. Guys, when was the last time you scheduled a check-up with your doctor? It’s crucial to tune into your body and be mindful of any abnormal changes that may be occurring.

Your sexual health is just as important as being mentally and physically fit. A large part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle is being able to openly communicate any concerns to your physician. In honor of Men’s Health Month 2019, we are highlighting a sensitive, complex topic – erectile dysfunction. Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common male sexual dysfunction and is defined as the inability to attain or keep an erection. We understand that because it is a sensitive topic, it may be uncomfortable for many to take the first step and seek information about erectile dysfunction. ED is complex; many different areas of the body play a role- the brain, hormones, emotions, nerves, muscles, and blood vessels.

Treating Erectile Dysfunction

While ED is more common among older men, it can occur at any age. Sometimes, men can restore erectile function by making a few lifestyle changes. Typically, treating erectile dysfunction includes the use of conservative methods (e.g., Viagra and Cialis) and penile injections. When these treatments don’t work, a penile prosthesis (implant) is considered. This is typically a last resort, as it requires complex surgery. If the penile prosthesis is removed, other treatments will no longer work. Before considering a penile implant, we may be able to help. At The Institute for Advanced Reconstruction, we offer a minimally-invasive transfer procedure that could restore erectile dysfunction.

Dr. Eric Wimmers is a board-certified Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon and the Director of The Program for Erectile Dysfunction at The Institute for Advanced Reconstruction. Dr. Wimmers specializes in treating erectile dysfunction with a procedure known as nerve transfer. What is a nerve transfer? It is a standard surgical technique that takes a healthy, functioning nerve and connects it to the problematic nerve to bring back its function.

Recovery after a Nerve Transfer Procedure

The minimally-invasive procedure is performed on an outpatient basis. After the procedure, the desired erection is expected to occur in less than a year, however, results can vary. Standard treatment options for ED often focus on short-term solutions; our surgical approach to ED offers patients a long-term result.

To learn more, visit the Erectile Dysfunction page on The Institute for Advanced Reconstruction website.

References:

https://www.webmd.com/erectile-dysfunction/ss/erectile-dysfunction