Erectile Dysfunction

What is erectile dysfunction?

You suffer from erectile dysfunction when you can’t get or maintain an erection to have intercourse more than 25% of the time. 

It’s not uncommon to have occasional erectile difficulties, but if you’re always struggling with this problem, it’s time to reach out to Urologic Surgeons of Arizona for treatment. 

Our providers are some of Arizona's leading urologists and have extensive experience with the most innovative treatments available.

How does diagnosis for erectile dysfunction work?

Our providers carefully review your medical history and current medical situation while discussing your symptoms and personal situation with you. 

Depending on your needs, our provider can order specialized testing like urine tests to check for diabetes or other chronic issues, blood tests to look for low testosterone or other causes, and nerve conduction testing to evaluate penile nerve function.

Other tests our providers could order include an ultrasound to evaluate blood flow to your penis, dynamic infusion cavernosometry to check for venous leaks, and nocturnal erection testing to evaluate erections during sleep.

Using your information and test results, our providers can determine the underlying cause of your erectile dysfunction and then personalize your treatment.

What is the most effective erectile dysfunction treatment?

The most effective treatment depends on your particular situation and needs. Our providers can recommend one or more of the following.

Oral medication

Oral medications called phosphodiesterase inhibitors enhance penile blood flow when you're aroused. Generally, you need to take oral medications for erectile dysfunction at least 20-30 minutes before you want to have intercourse. Low-dose daily medications are available as are single-use drugs that last for up to three days.

Injectable medications

Injectable medications give you an on-demand erection within 5-20 minutes and doesn't require arousal the way that oral medications do. Erections usually last around 30 minutes.

Intraurethral suppositories

By placing a tiny suppository directly in your urethra, you get significantly improved blood flow into the penis to bring on an erection.

Penis pump

Penis pumps are vacuum devices that suck air away to force increased blood flow and generate an erection. They’re used with bands that are placed around the base of the penis to help maintain the erection.

Penile implant

Penile implants have been in use for over 40 years and have successfully treated hundreds of thousands of men with erectile dysfunction. Our providers customize the fit of the implant to your body. 

There are two main types of penile implants: inflatable and malleable. The most popular implant is known as the 3-piece inflatable penile implant. It consists of two cylinders placed in the shaft of the penis, a reservoir with fluid that’s located in the abdomen and a pump in the scrotum. 

When you want to use your implant, you would press the pump several times which pushes the fluid into the cylinders located in the penis which causes an erection. The erection lasts until the release valve is pressed on the pump. The penile implant should not affect stimulation or ejaculation. 

The malleable implant consists of two firm yet durable malleable cylinders placed in the penis. When you and your partner want to be intimate, you simply lift the penis into a straight position. When you are done, you manually push the penis downward.

Other situation-specific treatments are available, for example, vascular surgery to treat blood vessel blockages and psychological counseling to assist with emotional issues that could lead to ED.

At Urologic Surgeons of Arizona, our providers are ready to help you with erectile dysfunction. Call either office or click the online booking tool for an appointment today.

Three-piece Penile Implant

The 3 Piece Inflatable Implant is the most popular implant on the market.  It is highly effective and often considered the “gold standard” for treating erectile dysfunction.  The 3 Piece Implant consists of three parts: The cylinders that are placed in the shaft of your penis, the pump located in your scrotum and the saline-filled reservoir in your abdominal or pelvic area.  

The 3-Piece Inflatable Implant allows you to have total control of your erection.  When you are ready to use the implant, you will squeeze the pump which pushes saline from the reservoir into the cylinders in your penis. The filling of the cylinders is what causes you to have an erection.  You will continue squeezing the pump until you have your desired level of rigidity. Your erection will last until you push the one-touch release valve on the pump, which causes the saline to exit the cylinders and go back into the reservoir.

Malleable Implant

The Malleable Implant is made for those who want a simple, easy to operate implant that can be used at a moment’s notice. Made of bendable semirigid cylinders, the cylinders are placed into the erection bodies in your penis at the time of your implant procedure. You manually position your penis upward when you are ready for intercourse and then bend it down for concealment when it’s not in use.