FAQ

Most men will experience an erection problem at least once in their life. However, the occasional inability to achieve a satisfactory erection does not normally represent a problem.

35% ca of men aged 60 and 50% ca of men older than 70 ARE affected by persistent ED. In Asian population its prevalence increase with age, and half of all men reports some level of ED by age 50.

In presence of some health issues ED prevalence is higher, reaching 75% in men with chronic kidney disease.

Both physiological and psychological factors contribute to ED. Moreover, many common medications can promote erection problems.

Among physiological causes are:

. heart and blood vessel diseases
. atherosclerosis
. hypertension
. hyperlipidemia
. type 2 diabetes
. chronic kidney disease
. obesity
. metabolic syndrome
. hypogonadism
. multiple sclerosis
. Peyronie’s disease
. bladder cancer surgery
. pelvic surgery
. prostate cancer treatment-related injuries
. other injuries to prostate, bladder, male organ or spinal cord

Among psychological causes are:

. stress
. anxiety
. depression
. low self-esteem
. fear of sexual failure
. guilt about sexual performance or activity

Among medicine related to ED are:

. antidepressants
. tranquillizers
. blood pressure medications
. antiandrogens
. appetite suppressants
. ulcer medications

Erectile dysfunction is a common male sexual dysfunction during aging; however, it should not be considered a natural part of getting older.

Men should tell their doctor about their erectile dysfunction problems both because they could be the sign of some health issue (e.g. blood vessels clogging or nerve damage) and because erectile dysfunction could significantly compromise their quality of life and their partner’s mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing, putting relationship at risk.

Treatment options include traditional (lifestyle changes, topical or oral medications, intracavernosal injections, intraurethral suppositories, vacuum-assisted erectile devices, and surgically implantable prostheses) and novel approaches (innovative options such as external prosthesis, shockwave therapy, platelet-rich plasma injection, and stem cell therapy).

Many men prefer non-invasive dysfunction treatments; however, any possible solution may be used as a first-line therapy, and all management options should be carefully evaluated.

Mesenchymal stem cell therapy presents several advantages. It is a tolerable, safe, and efficient treatment overcoming oral medications need for undamaged erection nerves; it can be combined to other approaches to promote the growth of new blood vessels and reduce cell destruction.

Adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells are easy to isolate and expand. All is required are 20 cc of fat collected during a quick and painless outpatient procedure. Stem cells not immediately utilized can be cryopreserved for future treatment.