Erectile Dysfunction Clinic | The Turek Clinic

Erectile Dysfunction (ED) Clinic in Los Angeles & San Francisco, CA

Most men occasionally find it difficult to get or keep an erection, and it is usually nothing to worry about. However, if you experience ongoing erection troubles, you should discuss it with an experienced healthcare provider. Left unaddressed, this type of sexual dysfunction can have a profound effect on your life.

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Find the Cure to Erectile Dysfunction

Dr. Paul Turek, a board-certified urologist and men’s sexual health expert, understands the impact that erectile dysfunction and impotence can have on your life. He has extensive experience safely treating the condition, and will take your concerns very seriously as he develops a treatment plan tailored to your unique needs.

Erectile dysfunction is often related to an underlying health problem such as heart disease, diabetes or liver problems. By speaking to Dr. Turek about erectile dysfunction, you are taking proactive measures to protect your general health and wellness.

Erectile Dysfunction Causes

A number of factors can interfere with the ability to get and sustain an erection adequate for sexual intercourse, including the following:

Spinal cord injury
Diabetes
Stroke
Hypertension
Diabetes
Atherosclerosis
Hormonal imbalance (e.g., hyperprolactinoma, hypogonadism)
Use of certain medications such as antidepressants or antihypertensives
Alcohol or tobacco use
Emotional or physical stress
Depression
Performance anxiety
Other psychological disorders

Erectile dysfunction can occur at any age, but it does become more common as men get older — to be specific, 10 percent increase for every decade of life (e.g., by the age of 30, 30 percent of men experience some form of erectile dysfunction; by the age of 40, 40 percent of men do). In most cases of erectile dysfunction in men under the age of 35, the cause tends to be psychological; in most cases of men over the age of 35, the cause tends to be physical or “organic.” Some of the most common causes of erectile dysfunction are outlined in the figure.

Diagnosing Erectile Dysfunction

Dr. Turek diagnoses erectile dysfunction with a physical exam and a comprehensive medical history. He will review any prior laboratory testing and may ask you to have further hormone and metabolic labs checked. If Dr. Turek suspects an underlying condition, he may refer you to an appropriate medical specialist.

ED Treatment Options

Lifestyle changes

Dr. Turek starts with the least invasive treatments before pursuing more invasive options. Making lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking, losing weight and increasing physical activity and sleep can have a positive effect on sexual function. Other lifestyle changes include discontinuing drugs that have harmful side effects or restoring low testosterone levels. Managing any underlying health conditions that can worsen erectile dysfunction, such as improving cholesterol or sugar levels, is also recommended.

Oral medications

Oral medications known as phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors (PDE5i’s) are a mainstay in erectile dysfunction treatment, and help over two-thirds of men. Viagra (sildenafil), Levitra (vardenafil) and Cialis (tadalafil) enhance the effects of nitric oxide, which is a chemical that relaxes the muscles in the blood vessels of the penis during sexual stimulation and allows for increased blood flow. These medications will not trigger an automatic erection; instead, they improve your own response to sexual stimulation.

Self-injecting medications

There are two types of self-injecting medications used to treat erectile dysfunction: One kind is a pill or gel that is gently placed into the urethra at the end of the penis. The other is an injection given by needle in the side of the penis. With either of these approaches, an erection can be achieved that is typically stronger than that observed with oral medication. The unique side effect of this class of injectable medication is the danger of an erection lasting too long (priapism) such that it threatens the health of the penis. These medications are tested in the office under Dr. Turek’s supervision to make sure that a prolonged erection does not occur.

Vacuum erection devices

A mechanical vacuum device can be used to induce an erection by using suction to draw blood into the penis. An elastic band is then placed around the base of the penis to maintain the erection and prevent blood from flowing back into the body. An erection obtained in this way is limited to 30 minutes to keep the penis healthy. This device is reliable and works in virtually all men who are properly trained in its use.

Erectile dysfunction surgery

If non-surgical treatment modalities do not produce the desired results, surgery is an option for some candidates. Erectile dysfunction surgery is performed for three reasons:

To implant a device to cause the penis to become erect
To reconstruct arteries and increase blood flow to the penis
To close up veins that allow blood to leak out of the penis

Complications from Erectile Dysfunction

Erectile Dysfunction treatment Los Angeles, CA Patients with erectile dysfunction report higher rates of anxiety, embarrassment and dissatisfaction with their sex lives. ED can cause problems with partners and make it difficult to conceive a child. By treating erectile dysfunction, patients often address several issues simultaneously.

Erectile Dysfunction Treatment Costs

The price to treat erectile dysfunction depends on what’s needed to fix it. Lifestyle modifications such as stress reduction, diet modification, weight loss or changing medications are the cheapest. Erectile-specific pills or injectable medication are the next level up. Devices (including shockwave or PRP) or surgery are the most expensive solutions. Dr. Turek will discuss specific costs in advance as a treatment plan is developed.

Fortunately, many health insurance plans cover (at least in part) the treatment of erectile dysfunction. Please review your plan and speak to your provider to determine if some of your costs can be reimbursed.

The Turek Clinic understands that some patients may wish to make payments toward the full cost of treatment, which is why we accept financing plans through CareCredit, ARC Fertility, United Medical Credit and Future Family.

Erectile Dysfunction FAQs

How do I know if I have erectile dysfunction?

Having trouble achieving erections from time to time is not necessarily a problem. You will know it is time to seek help when erections are difficult to obtain or more difficult to maintain. If you suspect that work anxiety or sadness over a breakup is the cause of the problem, you can wait to see if the situation resolved with time. If it doesn’t though, consult a specialist like Dr. Turek to get a better understanding of sexual dysfunction.

Is erectile dysfunction a normal symptom of aging?

Although it is true that men are more likely to develop ED as they get older, aging by itself is not the main cause of problems. In reality, aging is associated with other medical and physiological conditions that result in ED. One example of this is high cholesterol. Another is diabetes. A third is low testosterone.

Why should I seek treatment for erectile dysfunction?

Most men who have erectile dysfunction avoid treatment out of a sense of shame. While this reaction is common given societal attitudes toward sexual prowess, you do not need to suffer from erectile dysfunction in silence. Dr. Turek discreetly helps men regain functionality and lead healthy and enjoyable sex lives.

Is my ED just a mental problem?

Male Fertility Specialist Los Angeles, CA It was Leonardo da Vinci who said: “The penis must be said to have its own mind.” We now know that it’s the mind of the penis’s owner that can drive an ED problem. Typically, simple stress or anxiety from any source can cause ED problems. Other psychological issues may also play a role. In a single visit, Dr. Turek can usually distinguish between psychological ED and that due to true organic causes. Even though good mental health is best for healthy erections, Dr. Turek realizes that medical treatments for ED can greatly assist in the healing process.

When should I consider surgery to treat my erectile dysfunction?

Dr. Turek reserves surgery for patients who do not respond to less invasive treatments. However, most men with erectile dysfunction find success with the use of pills or penile medications, making surgery unnecessary.

Why should I see Dr. Turek for erectile dysfunction?

Dr. Turek is recognized as one of the world’s foremost experts in men’s sexual and reproductive health. By specializing in this field, Dr. Turek has advanced understanding of, and expertise in, erectile dysfunction that most physicians and urologists cannot claim. He pursues a “root cause” analysis as much as possible to identify the precise reasons for ED by performing a thorough medical history and physical examination and appropriate bloodwork, in an effort to reverse the dysfunction.