An estimated 1 out of 5 men in the United States over 20 years of age are affected by Erectile Dysfunction (ED), also known as impotence. ED can be caused by several psychological and physiological factors. It is a commonly misunderstood condition, especially among the general population, because those who suffer from it refuse to talk about it.
However, erectile dysfunction can be easily treated, especially with the use of certain medications that can help you achieve and maintain an erection easily. The first step is to find a physician that has experience in men’s health and talk about any erectile issues you may be experiencing. Another way you can promote healthy erectile function is to make the necessary lifestyle and dietary changes.
Most men who seek out ED treatment find that any prior performance issues they have had disappeared and that their sex life improved drastically.
Erectile dysfunction is when a man is unable to get hard or keep an erection that’s firm enough during sexual intercourse. This is not the same as premature ejaculation, which happens when a man releases semen before having an orgasm shortly after sexual intercourse, which causes him to lose his erection.
Some men may suffer from both ED and premature ejaculation. In this case, it’s better to treat the ED first because, in the process of doing so, you end up correcting the premature ejaculation issues.
The physiological processes that cause ED are rather complicated because the central nervous system, which is the brain and spinal cord, reproductive system, and cardiovascular system, all play a part in this equation.
The brain’s neurotransmitters (e.g., dopamine, acetylcholine, and epinephrine) are the main chemical messengers that cause erections. Psychological and/or physical sexual stimulation makes nerves transmit electrical impulses to the vascular system, which then directs blood flow to the penis. The penis’ two arteries supply oxygen-rich blood to the corpora cavernosa and erectile tissue. The penis expands due to greater blood flow and increases in pressure.
Erectile dysfunction is when a man is unable to get hard or keep an erection that’s firm enough during sexual intercourse.
Because blood has to stay in the penis to keep its size and rigidity during an erection, erectile tissue clamps and restricts blood flow away from the penis. After ejaculation, or once stimulation is over, the penis returns to its flaccid state because the pressure drops and blood flows away.
Erectile dysfunction is often treated with medications that target chemicals in the body that regulate such mechanisms. For instance, Viagra (sildenafil) and Cialis (tadalafil) increase blood flow to the penis by inhibiting phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) enzymes.
PDE5 inhibitors work by preserving the activity of intracellular messengers also known as cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) in the corpus cavernosum. This relaxes the blood vessels in the penis and helps increase the blood flow.
More often than not, men assume that ED is merely the result of aging. However, it’s not necessarily true. Although aging and lower testosterone levels are major reasons for erectile dysfunction, there are many other factors that you need to take into consideration as well.
For example, men with type-2 diabetes and hypertension are more likely to suffer from ED than healthy men. It makes sense, considering hypertension and type-2 diabetes can disrupt cardiovascular function and make it difficult for blood to flow to the penis and produce an erection.
However, erectile dysfunction, as a condition, is not easy to define. It is complicated and can arise from a wide range of issues, both psychological and/or physiological. Emotional wellness and mental well-being are strongly connected with erectile dysfunction, especially in younger men. This is often referred to as psychogenic erectile dysfunction.
Naturally, treatment of ED involves determining the root cause and then correcting it.
Emotional wellness and mental well-being are strongly connected with erectile dysfunction, especially in younger men. This is often referred to as psychogenic erectile dysfunction.
Testosterone is named the ultimate male hormone thanks to its androgenic properties. It significantly impacts a man’s libido and erectile function, directly and indirectly. Although many different health conditions can bring about ED, androgen deficiency (low T) is one of the biggest factors that cause it.
Testosterone is a hormone that is prevalent in both males and females, affecting almost every tissue and organ in the body. Having low testosterone levels is simply the starting point for a subsequent cycle of serious health conditions that all affect each other.
According to research, low T increases the risk of metabolic syndrome, type-2 diabetes, anemia, cardiovascular disease, and endothelial dysfunction, all of which has a huge impact on the physiology of erectile function.
Also, Low T is associated with a greater risk of mood disorders and depression. These are all known symptoms of low T, which impact libido and erectile quality. That said, TRT can help treat ED by building confidence and improving mental wellness in men suffering from low T.
It means that a man with low T should focus on addressing his testosterone deficiency first to solve his erectile dysfunction problems in the long term. One study even revealed that low testosterone negatively affected endothelial function and flow-mediated vasodilation, apart from other risk factors, including type-2 diabetes, hypertension, and chronic smoking.
Men with low T and ED are said to respond positively to TRT most of the time. TRT can restore their sex drive and erectile quality through both psychological and physiological changes.
Besides TRT (if necessary), there are so many other types of medications that you can use to treat erectile dysfunction. Depending on the reason for your ED, PDE5 inhibitors like Viagra and Cialis are usually the most recommended medication because they’re easy to take and highly effective. They’re also easily available.
Viagra and Cialis are ED medications that are non-habit forming, which means they do not cause addiction. The effect of these medications is rapid, and they often last up to 4 hours and 36 hours, respectively. Cialis is known as a “long-lasting” version of Viagra.
Stendra (Avanafil), a second-generation PDE5 inhibitor, can be used if a patient can neither tolerate Viagra or Cialis. Stendra has a much faster onset of action compared to Viagra and Cialis, reaching a maximum concentration in just 30 minutes after ingestion. Its effects last for about 2 hours.
Some of the most common symptoms users experience after taking a PDE5 inhibitor include nausea, headaches, and blurred vision. However, these symptoms usually disappear after the drug has worn off. But if one of the PDE5 medications produces side effects, it might be a good idea to try a different option because they have specific selectivity for PDE enzymes throughout the body. It is said that some patients tolerate Cialis better than Cialis and Viagra and vice versa.
Viagra and Cialis are ED medications that are non-habit forming, which means they do not cause addiction. The effect of these medications is rapid, and they often last up to 4 hours and 36 hours, respectively
If oral PDE5 inhibitors are unable to help a patient with their erectile dysfunction issues, they can try injectable medications such as P-shot and Trimix instead. These medications are self-administered by injection through the intracavernosal space of the penis. It can immediately produce an erection because it bypasses the gastrointestinal tract.
Trimix for Erectile Dysfunction
Trimix is made up of three different compounds, namely phentolamine, papaverine, and alprostadil. These compounds help expand and relax the blood vessels in the penis. It is pre-mixed and must be stored in a cool place for it to maintain its potency.
There are several advantages to using injectable ED medication, and one is that they don’t readily interact with food, alcohol, and other medications, unlike PDE5 inhibitors. They are also considered safe for men that have cardiovascular issues and diabetes.
P-Shot® for Treating Erectile Dysfunction
Another alternative to injectable ED treatment is the Priapus Shot or P-Shot. This one-time procedure involves the injection of several platelet-rich plasma or PRP into the penis. It will help stimulate the growth of new tissues and produce stronger erections. The P-shot is said to complement TRT and can help increase sexual stamina. The procedure is painless under anesthesia and will take less than 30 minutes to complete. Some patients may notice improvements immediately after treatment, but it can take up to three months for the maximum results to be noticeable.
As always, it is best to speak with a licensed physician specializing in men’s health to determine which Erectile Dysfunction treatment works best for you and will fit your needs the most.
There are a couple of reasons why it makes sense to go to GameDay Men’s Health for your erectile dysfunction treatment, and they are as follows:
We are proud to say that all our staff at GameDay Men’s Health have received extensive training in their respective area of specialty to ensure that every patient receives the highest standard of care possible each time.
Most of our competitors offer similar treatment to ED, like the GainsWave. However, that’s all they have to offer. Here at GameDay, we take a holistic approach to treating Erectile Dysfunction. We offer same-day testosterone testing thanks to our state-of-the-art on-site laboratories. We also provide diagnostic testing to help pinpoint the cause of your ED instead of just coming up with wild guesses like many men’s health clinics do. It’s always better to look at the big picture when it comes to healthcare.
Our team of experts is always checking new studies, tests, and literature to make sure that our proprietary treatment protocols abide by the latest scientifically approved information provided to us. We are proud of our success rate—we have helped the lives of many men who thought that they would no longer be able to enjoy sex anymore.
Men suffering from ED do not suspect low T could be the suspect behind their condition. Although Viagra and Cialis are undoubtedly effective for treating erectile dysfunction, they do nothing to fix low testosterone counts. Having a healthy level of testosterone is necessary for your long-term health, wellness, and sexual well-being.
TRT simply works to “replace” your current testosterone level so that it can return to a healthy, normal range under the supervision of a licensed physician. GameDay Men’s Health only uses bioidentical testosterone, which is a lot safer compared to other types of testosterone because it is the same as the natural testosterone produced by your body.
The side effects of testosterone are a lot more manageable in TRT compared to the side effects people experience when they use testosterone for illegal reasons (such as performance enhancement). TRT uses healthy doses of testosterone which makes it different from using testosterone for athletic performance enhancement purposes.
Note that testosterone is a natural hormone and is needed by all humans. When a man’s body is incapable of producing enough testosterone, his health, and quality of life will be severely affected.
TRT simply works to “replace” your current testosterone level so that it can return to a healthy, normal range under the supervision of a licensed physician.
Below are some of the most common questions and queries we have gotten from potential TRT candidates suffering from ED:
Here is the truth: many of the alleged risks of TRT, such as the increased risk of prostate cancer and cardiovascular diseases, are based mostly on poorly done studies and faulty clinical trials.
Many studies have shown support for TRT, saying that it is beneficial for cardiovascular function and metabolic health, which in turn, improves one’s erectile quality. Men with low T, on the other hand, are the ones that are at great risk of prostate issues compared to men with normal testosterone levels.
What a lot of people do not know is that the amount of testosterone used in “performance enhancement” drugs is a whole lot more than a proper TRT dose. A normal weekly dose of testosterone on TRT is just around 100-200 mg.
There are a few side effects of TRT that patients with ED may experience. These include acne, night sweats, and oily skin. But the good news is that these side effects are easy to manage and avoid. All you need to do is monitor blood levels of certain biomarkers and adjust the TRT dose accordingly.
Any initial side effect of TRT usually goes away after the body gets used to having a normal, healthy amount of testosterone again.
As part of our ED Washington Treatment, GameDay Men’s Health promises that you will get the best results possible, all the while controlling any side effects.
Most men tolerate PDE5 inhibitors like Cialis, Viagra, and Stendra very well, and they produce great results on erectile function immediately. For men suffering from low T, these medications work as great adjuncts to TRT for treating erectile dysfunction. If you want to explore other safer and more effective options for when PDE5 inhibitors don’t work, you can always try injectable medications like Trimix and P-Shot.
If you’re experiencing ED or any other symptoms of low T, don’t hesitate to schedule a complimentary consultation with one of our hormone specialists by
or calling us it 858-252-9202
We’ve helped countless men regain their confidence and sexual vitality.
1. Selvin, E., Burnett, A. L., & Platz, E. A. (2007). Prevalence and risk factors for erectile dysfunction in the US. The American journal of medicine, 120(2), 151-157.
2. Laumann, E. O., Paik, A., & Rosen, R. C. (1999). Sexual dysfunction in the United States: prevalence and predictors. Jama, 281(6), 537-544.
3. Park, B., Wilson, G., Berger, J., Christman, M., Reina, B., Bishop, F., … & Doan, A. (2016). Is Internet pornography causing sexual dysfunctions? A review with clinical reports. Behavioral Sciences, 6(3), 17.
4. Hald, G. M. (2015). Comment on: Is pornography use associated with sexual difficulties and dysfunctions among younger heterosexual men?. The journal of sexual medicine, 12(5), 1140-1141.
5. Prause, N., & Pfaus, J. (2015). Viewing sexual stimuli associated with greater sexual responsiveness, not erectile dysfunction. Sexual medicine, 3(2), 90-98.
6. Traish, A. M., Guay, A., Feeley, R., & Saad, F. (2009). The dark side of testosterone deficiency: I. Metabolic syndrome and erectile dysfunction. Journal of andrology, 30(1), 10-22.
7. Zarrouf, F. A., Artz, S., Griffith, J., Sirbu, C., & Kommor, M. (2009). Testosterone and depression: systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Psychiatric Practice®, 15(4), 289-305.
8. Akishita, M., Hashimoto, M., Ohike, Y., Ogawa, S., Iijima, K., Eto, M., & Ouchi, Y. (2007). Low testosterone level is an independent determinant of endothelial dysfunction in men. Hypertension Research, 30(11), 1029.
9. Corona, G., Rastrelli, G., Vignozzi, L., Mannucci, E., & Maggi, M. (2011). Testosterone, cardiovascular disease, and the metabolic syndrome. Best practice & research Clinical endocrinology & metabolism, 25(2), 337-353.
10. Kloner, R. A., Carson, C., Dobs, A., Kopecky, S., & Mohler, E. R. (2016). Testosterone and cardiovascular disease. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 67(5), 545-557.
11. Morgentaler, A. (2006). Testosterone replacement therapy and prostate risks: where’s the beef?. Canadian Journal of Urology, 13, 40.
It’s time to find the New You