Stress and Urge Incontinence: Which Do I Have?
Millions of Americans struggle with urinary incontinence. This bladder problem can have more than one cause. Stress and urge incontinence are common types, but how do you know which one you have?
What Can I Do About ED?
Attempting to pleasure a partner and not being able to do so may be one of the worst feelings in the world. It’s natural to feel embarrassed or down when you can’t achieve or maintain an erection during sex, but there’s good news: You can regain control of your sex life and performance.
Erectile dysfunction isn’t a permanent condition — Dr. Craig Herman and Dr. Steven C. Kester here at Urology Center of Florida share their insights on ED and what can be done about it.
Why does ED happen?
As much as we’d like to offer a straightforward answer to this question, there really isn’t one. No case of ED is caused by exactly the same combination of factors, simply because there are so many things that can contribute to ED.
For normal, healthy sex, your brain and body need to work together. If something short-circuits in either capacity, you might experience ED. Here are some common physical causes of ED:
- Not enough blood flow to the penis
- Penis can’t trap blood during an erection
- Nerve signals from the brain don’t reach the penis
- Blood vessel damage in the penis
- Drug or substance use is affecting the penis
Common emotional causes include:
- Stress from work, relationships, or another source
- Depression and anxiety
- Lack of sexual desire
- Anxiety over sexual performance, or over-thinking
All of these factors, physical and emotional, can affect your sexual performance and result in ED.
Getting an ED diagnosis
If you’ve had trouble achieving or sustaining an erection for a while, it’s time to get evaluated for a possible diagnosis. When you come in for your appointment, we start by asking you a number of questions about your physical, emotional, and sexual health. Don’t hold back — it’s important that you tell us everything you know so we can properly diagnose you and recommend the best course of treatment.
Then, we perform a physical exam to check for signs of hormonal imbalances or other health complications that could contribute to ED. In some cases, we may order lab tests to check your blood and hormones.
ED treatment options
If you receive an ED diagnosis, we can develop a comprehensive treatment plan specific to your case. Treatment for ED is extremely personal, and the course of treatment depends on the cause. For example, if we determine that your ED is primarily psychological, we may recommend counseling and refer you to a specialist.
If your ED is related to an underlying medical condition, such as high blood pressure or diabetes, we may recommend first treating that underlying condition.
If your ED is caused by hormone imbalances or something otherwise purely physical and directly related to your sexual health, we can help in the form of hormone replacement therapy or certain medications.
Are you ready to take back control of your sexual performance? Call our team at Urology Center of Florida today to schedule a consultation or book your appointment online.
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