Erectile Dysfunction Treatment – State of the Art Care in 2024
Thomas J. Walsh, MD, MBA, MS, reviews erectile dysfunction (ED) prevalence, risk factors, lifestyle, and treatments available for patients. He addresses the stigma and the biology of ED, emphasizing the importance of explaining both to patients as part of the treatment discussion.
Dr. Walsh explains that for approximately half of men, oral medications are insufficient to treat ED and shares the updated American Urological Association (AUA) guidelines for ED treatment including oral agents, intra-penile therapies, surgery, and lifestyle changes. He outlines advantages and disadvantages of therapies such as type-5 selective phosphodiesterase inhibitors, intraurethral and topical alprostadil, intracavernosal injection, penile implants, vacuum erection devices, and low-intensity shock wave (LISW) therapy.
Dr. Walsh concludes by outlining his approach to patients, emphasizing the importance of general health and using the opportunity to help patients understand the link between lifestyle and ED. He also emphasizes the importance of referring patients to a specialist when a practitioner is outside their comfort zone or if the patient requires treatments outside of their toolbox.
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