Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common problem that an estimated 30 to 50 million people in the United States struggle with.
Although common, it can feel isolating. ED is often a difficult topic to discuss with your partner, your friends, or even your doctor.
That’s why our team at Regain Functional Medicine + Aesthetics is shedding light on this condition to encourage you to open up and talk about it more comfortably.
If it isn’t discussed, we can’t find a solution, and there are many ED treatments and solutions out there. It just requires finding the root cause of your condition, and then developing a personalized plan for your erectile dysfunction treatment near Overland Park.
Understanding Erectile Dysfunction
Everyone has a moment where they have difficulty either getting or maintaining an erection—it happens. In isolated events, this is usually not something to worry about or concern yourself with.
Erectile dysfunction, on the other hand, is the consistent inability to either get or maintain an erection long enough to have intercourse.
What Causes Erectile Dysfunction?
The reason for your ED can differ from why other patients struggle with it. Root causes of this condition include the following.
Vascular Causes
In order to get an erection, your penis needs proper blood flow to the area, which allows it to become firm. Vascular erectile dysfunction is the most common type of ED. Many health conditions can contribute to this type of ED because they can cause blood vessels to narrow, inhibiting blood flow. A few of the examples include:
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- High cholesterol
- High blood pressure
- Coronary artery disease
- Peripheral artery disease
Vascular erectile dysfunction emphasises the importance of talking about your struggles with impotence, which can be an early warning sign of heart problems that could lead to a heart attack or stroke.
Hormonal Causes
A pattern we see time and time again with aging patients is that many of their symptoms—from erectile dysfunction to low energy to poor sleep—all come back to their hormones. In this case, low testosterone might be the culprit for why you’re seeking erectile dysfunction treatment near Overland Park.
As people age, their hormone levels decline, causing a range of symptoms that affect stamina, libido, energy, and motivation. While most medical facilities dismiss these as signs of aging, we understand that this impacts all facets of health.
In fact, low testosterone levels can contribute to both erectile dysfunction and cardiovascular disease. This complex interplay underscores the importance of proactive health management, particularly for men as they age.
Other Causes of Erectile Dysfunction
While hormonal and vascular conditions are the most common causes, erectile problems can stem from neurological and psychological factors, among others. These include:
- Taking certain medications (like blood pressure medications or anti-depressants).
- Smoking
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Stress
→ Read more about the causes of erectile dysfunction here.
Finding the Root Cause: The Process for Erectile Dysfunction Treatment
At Regain, we align our practice with functional medicine, which teaches us to consider the body as an interconnected system. This means that we understand that a symptom isn’t something to dismiss or mask; it’s something to treat. Erectile dysfunction is the perfect example of this new branch of medicine.
While often considered a “normal” sign of aging, erectile dysfunction is actually a symptom of something larger and highly treatable—especially if caught early. That’s why we take such a comprehensive approach to finding the best erectile dysfunction treatment near Overland Park for you. Here’s what you can expect.
Initial Conversation
You sit down with Laura Klostermann-Feld, the director of our functional medicine division. Laura is a highly trained urologic nurse practitioner who has helped dozens of people with erectile dysfunction symptoms.
With Laura, you review your medical history, discuss the onset of your condition, and how you’ve tried to manage it up until this point. Next, she reviews your current medications to determine if they are contributing to your erectile dysfunction.
SHIM Questionnaire
Next, is the SHIM Questionnaire. SHIM stands for Sexual Health Inventory for Men. This Q&A helps Laura identify the severity of your ED.
Once we have a full understanding of your health and the severity of your ED, we create a personalized treatment plan for you. Our options range from oral medications to injections to non-invasive treatments.
Tailored Treatment Plans: Your Options at Regain
We offer erectile dysfunction treatments near Overland Park based on your needs. We also provide strategies for preventative care, incorporating lifestyle adjustments and regular check-ups to maintain optimal well-being.
→ Read about the top 10 vitamins for erectile dysfunction here.
Testosterone Replacement Therapy
At our practice, we offer testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), a treatment to balance hormones in our male patients.
Testosterone replacement therapy improves your overall health, from your weight to your muscle mass, and even your mood. So not only are we treating symptoms of ED, we’re also improving your quality of life (and definitely your love life).
At Regain, we use bioidentical testosterone replacement therapy (BHRT) which derives hormones from plants and natural sources that are molecularly identical to the hormones that our own bodies make. This means fewer side effects and better efficacy than non-bioidentical pharmaceutical hormones.
But TRT isn’t your only option; we may pair it with other erectile dysfunction treatments near Overland Park.
Cialis: Oral Medication
Cialis is the most common erectile dysfunction treatment that we offer at Regain. We may prescribe this medication with TRT because it can take time for your body to adjust to TRT and see improvements in sexual performance.
Cialis is a phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitor that enhances the effects of nitric oxide (NO) that your body releases during arousal. This action relaxes blood vessels and increases blood flow to the penis, helping you get and maintain an erection.
We can dispense Cialis directly from our office for your convenience. You should take this medication before sexual activity and only once a day.
PT-141
PT-141, also known as Bremelanotide, targets your central nervous system rather than your vascular system. This means it targets the mind and body connection, enhancing libido and creating sexual arousal for both men and women.
PT141 is administered through injections in your lower abdomen, where you have fat deposits.
P-Shot & BoCox
The P-shot, also known as the Priapus shot, is a natural erectile dysfunction treatment near Overland Park. Using your blood’s healing powers, the P-shot promotes new tissue growth and increases blood flow to your penis.
The P-shot involves taking a sample of your own blood from a donor area, like your arm, and spinning it in a centrifuge to separate platelets from the rest of your blood components. Once we have the platelet-rich concentrate, we inject it into target areas of your penis to treat ED. This shot also boasts other benefits as well, including:
- Stronger, longer-lasting firmness
- Heightened sensitivity
- Improved sexual performance
- Boosted confidence and satisfaction
BoCox involves injecting a small amount of Botox (botulinum toxin) into your penis. Botulinum toxin blocks nerve signals that cause muscles to contract. While most often used for wrinkle reduction, this function also works surprisingly well for relaxing smooth muscles and improving blood flow to the penis. Not only can BoCox increase penile sensation, it can also increase the size of your penis by up to 1 inch.
We commonly perform the P-shot and BoCox together for enhanced results.
Storz Acoustic Wave
Known as the gold standard of acoustic wave treatments for ED, the Storz Acoustic Wave is a cutting-edge minimally invasive procedure that enhances penile blood flow safely and comfortably. Using low-intensity sound waves, we break down plaque that may be impeding blood flow to the penis.
This treatment also creates micro-injuries in the penis, stimulating your body’s natural healing capabilities. This in turn produces healthy new tissue formation that can better maintain an erection.
Trimix
Trimix is an erectile dysfunction treatment near Overland Park for men who do not have success with our other options, and is guaranteed to produce an erection, even in severe ED cases. Made with prostaglandin, phentolamine, and papaverine, this powerful combination of ingredients is injected directly into the side of the penis to improve blood flow and encourage longer-lasting erections.
The dosage can be tailored to each individual depending on the severity of their condition.
Quad-Mix
The Quad-mix is another injectable erectile dysfunction treatment made with papaverine, phentolamine, atropine, and alprostadil. The Quad mix works similarly to Trimix in that it improves blood flow, leading to longer erections. This medication works for those who do not respond to other erectile dysfunction treatments.
With Trimix and Quad Mix, you can expect an erection within 10 to 15 minutes of administering the treatment.
Start the Conversation
It all starts with a simple conversation to find the best erectile dysfunction treatment near Overland Park. With our expertise and range of options, we can help you regain confidence in the bedroom, and reconnect with your partner.
To get started, you can schedule a free consultation to speak with our highly trained Functional Nurse Practitioner.
Alternatively, you can also try our treatment planning tool, which allows you to streamline the process. Once we receive your submission, a member of our team will reach out with available appointment times and potential treatment options.
We offer more than erectile dysfunction solutions; we also have a range of vaginal rejuvenation treatments as well.
