Erectile Dysfunction in Edmonds
Erectile dysfunction, commonly referred to as impotence, is the inability of a man to get or sustain a penile erection for the long time needed for a satisfactory sexual performance. Although many people find it embarrassing to talk about (quite understandably so), erectile dysfunction is a fairly common condition affecting millions of men around the world. Erectile dysfunction is prevalent among older men.
Sometimes, it is normal to experience some trouble developing or sustaining an erection due to mood and other situational factors. However, it is a cause for concern if you repeatedly find it hard to develop or sustain an erection. Erectile dysfunction may cause stress, affect self-confidence, and lead to relationship problems, hence the need for treatment. While erectile dysfunction is commonly attributed to psychological and hormonal factors, it may also be a physical problem. Our physical therapists at Lilly Physical Therapy can help ascertain the cause of your erectile dysfunction and offer treatment options through several physical therapy techniques.
Types of Erectile Dysfunction
There are different types of erectile dysfunction, categorized based on their causal factors. These include:
Vascular Erectile Dysfunction
Normally, when you develop an erection, certain blood vessels within the tissues or valves in the penis fill with blood. However, you may develop vascular erectile dysfunction if the blood vessels fail to fill with blood. Vascular ED is one of the most common types of erectile dysfunction.
Hormonal Erectile Dysfunction
As its name implies, hormonal erectile dysfunction refers to ED that occurs due to a deficiency of hormones that aid erection, such as testosterone. In some cases, hormonal ED may be due to issues with the thyroid, an endocrine gland that produces and releases certain thyroid hormones.
Neurogenic Erectile Dysfunction
This type of erectile dysfunction occurs due to nerve problems. When you develop an erection, your brain sends signals to your penis. However, neurogenic ED prevents signals from traveling from your brain to your penis during erections. This type of erectile dysfunction may occur due to trauma, pelvic surgery, radiation therapy, and other neurological conditions, such as stroke, multiple sclerosis, spinal stenosis, etc.
Psychogenic Erectile Dysfunction
This type of ED refers to erectile dysfunction caused by psychological conditions affecting one’s thoughts, feelings, or behavior like depression, anxiety, and stress.
Causes of Erectile Dysfunction
Different factors may cause your inability to get or sustain a penile erection. Some of these factors may include:
Physical Factors
Examples of physical factors that may cause erectile dysfunction include:
- Side effects of medications (such as antidepressants, anti-anxiety drugs, blood pressure drugs, diuretics. antihistamines, chemotherapy drugs, Parkinson’s disease drugs, prostate cancer drugs, antiarrhythmics, sedatives, muscle relaxers, antiseizure drugs, etc.)
- Cardiovascular diseases
- Hormonal imbalances
- Prostate problems
- Diabetes
- Surgery
- Stroke
- Epilepsy
- Injury to the penis, bladder, pelvis, prostate, and spinal cord.
Psychological Factors
Examples of psychological factors that may cause erectile dysfunction include:
- Stress
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Fear of sexual intercourse
- Low self-esteem, etc.
Lifestyle Factors
An individual’s lifestyle choices may also be responsible for erectile dysfunction. Examples include:
- Smoking
- Drug use
- Obesity
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Poor diet
- Sedentary lifestyle
Symptoms of erectile dysfunction include difficulty getting or maintaining an erection, early ejaculation, loss of interest in sex, etc.
The Role of Physical Therapy in Treating Erectile Dysfunction
Physical therapy at Edmonds, WA, can be an effective treatment option for treating and managing the condition. Edmonds physical therapy for erectile dysfunction involves exercises and other physical therapy techniques that can improve blood flow to the penile area, strengthen the pelvic muscles, and address other physical conditions contributing to erectile dysfunction. Physical therapy is non-invasive, making it a safer option compared to medications and surgery which may cause severe complications and side effects in the future. This treatment option addresses the underlying cause of erectile dysfunction while managing its symptoms.
The first step during erectile dysfunction physical therapy in Edmonds, WA, is a consultation with the physical therapist for a comprehensive assessment and evaluation. During this session, the physical therapist will evaluate your condition to determine its severity and the best treatment approach. During assessment, you may undergo common procedures such as symptom review, medical history review, physical examination, diagnostic tests, etc.
After evaluation, your physical therapist will develop a comprehensive and unique treatment plan based on the results of your evaluation. The most common physical therapy technique used for erectile dysfunction is exercise therapy. This technique involves activities and movements designed to restore function. Most physical therapy exercises for erectile dysfunction aim to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles.
Pelvic Floor Muscles Exercise
The pelvic floor muscles are a group of muscles in the pelvic area that support the bladder, bowel, and sexual organs, controlling urinary and bowel movements. Therefore, weakness of the pelvic floor muscles may lead to erectile dysfunction. Examples of pelvic floor muscle exercises and therapy to strengthen these muscles include kegel, reverse kegel, biofeedback, etc.
Other physical therapy techniques for erectile dysfunction include electrical stimulation, manual therapy, aerobic exercise, stretching and strengthening exercises, core stability training, postural training, etc.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is Erectile Dysfunction in Edmonds?
Erectile dysfunction is the inability of a man to get or sustain a penile erection for satisfactory sexual performance, due to physical, psychological, hormonal, or neurogenic factors.
Can Physical Therapy Help With Erectile Dysfunction?
Yes, physical therapy can help with erectile dysfunction. This non-invasive yet effective treatment option can help manage the symptoms of erectile dysfunction and address its underlying causes.
Can Physical Exercise Cure Erectile Dysfunction?
Yes, physical therapy can treat and manage erectile dysfunction through its several non-invasive techniques. It can address the physical issues preventing an individual from getting and sustaining an erection.
Conclusion
While several people find erectile dysfunction embarrassing to talk about, this condition can be treated and managed through physical therapy. Therefore, if you want to regain your self-confidence and develop and maintain normal erections, you should consider undergoing physical therapy for erectile dysfunction at Lilly Physical Therapy.
