Erectile Dysfunction Specialist in the San Fernando Valley
Board-Certified ED Specialist in Encino, CA
Dr. Michael J. Hyman has over 20 years of experience diagnosing and treating patients throughout the San Fernando Valley for ED. Dr. Hyman uses a patient-centered approach while leveraging state-of-the-art technology in order to accurately diagnose the source of a patient's erectile dysfunction. Dr. Hyman will perform an extensive diagnostic work-up in order to fully evaluate your symptoms and determine the treatment option that is right for you. If you are experiencing symptoms of ED, call our men's health clinic in Encino, CA at (818) 906-1300 today!
ED Symptoms
Generally all symptoms of erectile dysfunction will contribute to an inability to develop or sustain an erection. A lowered libido can also be a common sign of ED. If you experience erectile dysfunction in rare instances, and you have no other related health conditions, you should be able to manage your ED without much trouble.
Causes of Erectile Dysfunction
ED normally stems from two separate categories of physical and mental health issues. Most often, erectile dysfunction is the result of a physical problem. These can include a variety of different situations, but they typically relate to:
- Not having enough blood flow to the penis. Conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and hardened arteries can all restrict the functions of an individual’s circulatory system, which can prevent proper amounts of blood flow to certain areas of the body. It may also be difficult for an individual to keep blood in the penis long enough to sustain an erection.
- Problems with the nerve endings. Damage to the pelvic region can often lead to damage of the nerves. Injury, cancer treatments, or even a disrupted signal from the brain can all cause these nerves to malfunction and diminish a person’s senses.
- Side effects of medication. There is always a risk to taking a medication, but some risks can impact sexual function both temporarily and long-term. Make sure to discuss all possible side effects to a new medication with your healthcare provider.
Other cases of erectile dysfunction may be caused by emotional or psychological issues, such as:
- Stress
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Relationship problems
- Worry about poor sexual performance
It is certainly possible for both physical and mental factors to contribute toward a single patient’s erectile dysfunction. Many people with ED discover that a physical issue will lead to stress in a relationship or about sexual performance, which can make their erectile dysfunction even more difficult to deal with.
What is Erectile Dysfunction?
Erectile Dysfunction: It’s common, and it’s treatable.
If you are dealing with erectile dysfunction (ED), you are not alone: nearly one in every four men over sixty-five will experience some degree of erectile dysfunction.1 Younger men often struggle with ED as well. By taking the time to educate yourself about ED, you’ve made an important first step in finding a solution to erectile dysfunction (impotence).
Erectile Dysfunction is the consistent inability to sustain an erection sufficient for sexual intercourse.
Erectile Dysfunction can be:
- A total inability to achieve an erection – You can never get an erection.
- An inconsistent ability to do so – You can only occasionally get an erection.
- A tendency to sustain only brief erections – You can get an erection, but can’t keep it long enough for satisfying sex.
What Causes ED?
As a result of recent medical research, it is now known that more than 80% of men suffering from ED can trace its origin to a physical problem or disorder.
For most men, the cause of ED can now be fairly easily identified. Once identified, proper treatment can be recommended that may help you return them to a satisfying sex life.
ED can be caused by physical disorders such as:
- An injury (i.e. brain or spinal cord)
- A disease (i.e. diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol)
- Various studies have estimated that between 20% – 71% of individuals with diabetes suffer from erectile dysfunction.2
- An operation (i.e. prostate gland removal)
- Substance use (i.e. tobacco, drugs, alcohol or medications)
Other facts about Erectile Dysfunction (Impotence):
- Approximately 30 million American men suffer from erectile dysfunction.
- Most men with erectile dysfunction still have the ability to have an orgasm and father a child, but often have difficulty doing these things because they can’t get or sustain an erection.
- Erectile dysfunction is not normal and is by no means an inevitable consequence of aging.
- Most men at one time or another during their sexual lives are unable to get or keep an erection. This is normal and does not indicate a problem. However, millions of men of all ages experience this inability as a continuing problem.
- In most cases, erectile dysfunction can be overcome.
- Rosen R, et al. The process of care model for evaluation and treatment of erectile dysfunction. Int’l J. Impotence Research. 1999; 11, 59-74,
- Penson D, et al. Erectile Dysfunction in Diabetic Patients. Diabetes Spectrum. 2004, Vol 17, No. 4, 225-230.
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How is Erectile Dysfunction Diagnosed?
The potentially endless circle of erectile dysfunction can be broken by speaking with a urologist about your erectile dysfunction and getting a diagnosis to understand what could be causing it to occur. Dr. Hyman assesses erectile dysfunction (ED) by conducting a thorough review of your medical and sexual history, along with a comprehensive mental health and physical examination. Conversations about ED with a healthcare professional may be challenging, but it's important to keep in mind that a fulfilling sex life is integral to overall well-being. Providing your doctor with detailed information enables them to better understand your situation and increases the likelihood of successful treatment. To diagnose any physical issues, expect urine tests, blood tests, and checks of your pulse at the wrist and ankles. A check of your penis and testicles is common to be sure they look normal. A urologist may look for hair loss or enlarged breasts as a sign of a hormonal problem. All of the typical tests you normally get for a physical exam, including blood pressure, will be performed. In addition, there may be three special tests to confirm you can physically have an erection.
- The first is done overnight. Most men have 3 to 5 erections each night as they sleep. You place a ring device over your penis before sleep. If you have erections, the ring will break. If that is the case, then ED is not a physical issue, but could be emotional or mental.
- You may also have a Penile Doppler Ultrasound which is non-invasive. The physician holds a wand over your penis to detect blood flow.
- A third test is an injection test into the base of the penis which should give you an immediate erection. If you don’t get one, there is something wrong with blood flow.
The good news is whatever is preventing a man from enjoying healthy sex, there are options to treat it. Erectile dysfunction is treatable in almost all cases.
Request an ED Treatment Consultation in Encino, CA
If you are in need of treatment for an ED, contact men's health specialist, Dr. Michael Hyman, today for an appointment. Call (818) 906-1300 to request an appointment at our urology office in Encino, CA.