ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION TREATMENT IN MILFORD
Erectile dysfunction (impotence) is the inability to get and keep an erection firm enough for sex. Having erection trouble from time to time isn't necessarily a cause for concern. If erectile dysfunction is an ongoing issue, however, it can cause stress, affect your self-confidence and contribute to relationship problems. Problems getting or keeping an erection also can be a sign of an underlying health condition that needs treatment and a risk factor for heart disease down the road. Dr. Steinberg is an expert in the confidential evaluation and treatment of ED. Treatments for ED include the following:
After a complete evaluation, Dr. Steinberg may prescribe a customized regimen of oral medications which are often extremely successful treating erectile dysfunction in most men. These medications enhance the effects of nitric oxide — a natural chemical your body produces that relaxes muscles in the penis; this causes an increase in blood flow to the penis and allows you to get an erection in response to sexual stimulation. The medications are:
- Sildenafil (Viagra)
- Tadalafil (Cialis)
- Vardenafil (Levitra, Staxyn)
- Avanafil (Stendra)
LEARN MORE ABOUT MEDICATIONS FOR ED:
LOW INTENSITY SHOCKWAVE THERAPY (LISWT)
Low Intensity Shockwave Therapy (LISWT) is a revolutionary treatment for erectile dysfunction. Shockwaves have been shown to increase angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels. This technique has been used in many other fields of medicine for decades with beneficial results.
LISWT of the penis increases overall blood flow to the erectile tissue in the penis. The treatment can make erections stronger and longer lasting. LISWT is not meant to be a replacement for other treatments, but the treatment can enhance the effectiveness of medications such as Cialis and Viagra.
The treatment is performed in the office and takes approximately 15 minutes. At Urology Specialists of Milford, we use the Alma Duo technology which uses the gold standard shockwave therapy technology- focused on pain-free low intensity extracorporeal shockwave therapy to stimulate blood flow. During the treatment, the transducer is placed against the penis and perineal area after the application of ultrasound gel. There is no pain experienced with the treatment, and there are no restrictions before or after treatment. Sexual activity may be resumed immediately after each session.
The initial recommended treatment regimen is a total of 6 sessions, performing 2 sessions per week over a period of 3 weeks.
Treatment outcomes may be variable but typically result in firmer, longer-lasting erections. The results typically last several months up to 1 year. Re-treatment may be necessary.
PLATELET RICH PLASMA (PRP) THERAPY
What is Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy?
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a component of blood that is believed to promote healing and tissue regeneration. PRP therapy has been used to treat tendon or muscle injuries, stimulate hair growth, and speed recovery from surgery. PRP has also been used for several years to treat erectile dysfunction and can result infirmer, longer lasting erections. PRP is often used in combination with Low Intensity Shockwave Therapy (LISWT) to produce the best possible outcomes. PRP also enhances the effect of ED medications such as sildenafil (Viagra) and tadalafil (Cialis).
How does Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) work?
Blood is made of four different components: red blood cells, white blood cells, plasma, and platelets. Plasma is the liquid part of your blood and makes up about half of its volume. Platelets are critical for helping your blood clot after an injury. They also contain proteins called growth factors that help speed up healing. The purpose of PRP for ED is to make the tissue and blood vessels in the penis healthier.
To prepare PRP, a small sample of blood is drawn in the office and spun it in a machine called a centrifuge. The centrifuge separates the plasma and platelets from the other parts of the blood. The resulting PRP mixture has a much higher concentration of platelets than regular blood.
After the PRP is developed, it is injected into the penis using a small needle, causing little discomfort. PRP is a quick procedure, and likely takes less than an hour in the office. There is no preparation in advance needed for the procedure.
Patients may experience mild bruising of the penis after PRP injection. Sexually activity may be resumed 24 hours after the procedure.
PRP may need to be repeated after a few moths to maintain erection quality.
PRP is not covered by most insurances.
For more information about Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy, please contact D. Steinberg's office at 508 473 6333.
PENILE INJECTION THERAPY
There are several medications to treat ED that are injected directly into the penis to achieve an erection. With this therapy, Dr. Steinberg teaches patients to use a fine needle to inject a tiny amount of medication into the base or side of the penis. Injection therapies typically produce an erection that lasts about 20 to 40 minutes. The needle used for the injection is very fine, and any pain from the injection site is usually minor. The medication prescribed for this injection treatment is TRIMIX, a mixture of alprostadil, papaverine, and phentolamine which is custom prescribed for patients.
VACUUM ERECTION DEVICE (VED)
A vacuum erection device is a hollow tube with a hand-powered or battery-powered pump that is placed over the penis. This creates a “vacuum” that improves blood flow into the penis. Once an erection is achieved, a tension ring is slipped around the base of the penis to hold in the blood and keep the penis firm when the device is removed. If prescribed, Dr. Steinberg teaches patients how to effectively use a Vacuum Erection Device.
PENILE IMPLANT SURGERY
As an alternative to medication and other treatment options, Penile Implant surgery is highly effective in treating ED. The procedure involves surgically placing devices, which consist of inflatable rods into both sides of the penis. Inflatable devices allow the patient to control when and how long you have an erection.Penile implants are usually not recommended until other methods have been tried first. Implants have a high degree of satisfaction among men who have tried and failed more conservative therapies.
Learn more about Penile Implants here .