Erectile Dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction can prove stressful and negatively affect your self-confidence. If you are having problems getting or keeping an erection, erectile dysfunction could be the cause. For the expert treatment of your symptoms and to improve your overall sexual health, set up an appointment with Meredith Greene, MSN, FNP-C, ENP-C, at Elevate Wellness Center in Forest City, North Carolina. To schedule a consultation to see if you're a candidate for erectile dysfunction treatment, call the office or request one online today. 

What is erectile dysfunction?

Sexual arousal in males is a complicated process that involves the brain, various hormones, nerves, muscles, and blood vessels. Stress and mental health concerns can also cause or worsen the effects of erectile dysfunction.

When a man cannot achieve or sustain an erection to complete any sexual activity, he likely is suffering from ED, which affects roughly 50% of men aged 40 and over.

What are the reasons for erectile dysfunction?

Many men experience more than one potential cause when they are diagnosed with ED. But some of the possible reasons could be:

• Aging, due to changes in muscle and tissue within the penis
• Cardiovascular issues such as heart attacks, angina, or cardiovascular disease
• Diabetes mellitus, which affects the muscles in the penis and leads to erectile troubles
• Medications, including those for high blood pressure, antidepressants, or appetite suppressants 

Also, high blood pressure can cause trouble with erections related to atherosclerosis or from low levels of nitric oxide production from the arteries in the penis.

What does erectile dysfunction entail?

Treatment options range from lifestyle changes to medication to surgery. The first step in determining your best treatment option is to speak with Meredith Greene, MSN, FNP-C, ENP-C, at length and find out what is causing the issue.

Medication therapy in the form of oral prescriptions is the most common way to boost the quality of a man's erection when he suffers from ED.

Often, simple lifestyle changes — such as weight loss, drinking less alcohol, or quitting smoking — will lessen the effects of ED. Alternatively, if a medication is causing your ED, Meredith might lower your dose or try a different prescription.

Meredith may also evaluate you for other causes of ED, such as mental health or other chronic health conditions.

If you think you might have erectile dysfunction, call Elevate Wellness Center or request a consultation online today.