How is erectile dysfunction diagnosed in 2022?
Assoc. Prof. Muhsin Balaban, who provides information on the diagnosis and treatment methods for erectile dysfunction, first needs to know whether the cause of the problem is physical or psychological. The cause is established from the history obtained from patients and their partners. If the problem is psychological, its treatment is sexual therapy. If the problem is physical, certain medications and some additional treatment protocols come to the fore.
Blood tests usually check blood sugar, cholesterol and male hormone levels. In selected patients an additional test called penile Doppler ultrasound may also be requested.
In the treatment of impotence, the drug groups we call sildenafil, vardenafil and tadalafil work by widening the vessels that bring blood into the penis.
They are the most commonly used drugs today. Their chance of success is around 70% on average; in diabetes the success rate drops somewhat. The doses and timing of these drugs and their side effects should be explained by doctors.
As alternatives to medication, treatments such as vacuum devices, applying an erection-inducing gel through the urethra, applying platelet-rich blood to the spongy tissues of the penis, applying erection-inducing drugs to the spongy tissues of the penis, and shockwave therapy (ESWT) are also applied. None of these treatments is as effective as penile prosthesis implantation.
Can erectile dysfunction be solved by surgery in 2022?
In patients who do not respond to any of the treatments above, a penile prosthesis implanted surgically provides a definitive solution.
