Erectile dysfunction – Lunch bag let down
Overview
Contrary to popular belief, erectile dysfunction (ED) is not an exclusive condition for old people.
According to reports, ED affects approximately 18.4% of the male population in the U.S., which translates to around 18 million Americans.
Note that the incidence is significantly higher in people with diabetes.
Unfortunately, the causes of ED are diverse, which makes the treatment quite difficult. For this reason, every patient must get treated on a case-to-case basis.
Moreover, it might not be enough in some cases to treat the underlying medical condition that’s causing ED. The reason for this is the penile tissue has already been damaged, and no conventional therapy is going to rebuild or restore it.
In this article, we will cover the basics of erectile dysfunction, as well as one specifically promising treatment option.
Pathophysiology of erectile dysfunction
Although there are numerous diseases that can cause erectile dysfunction, the final result is typically identical. All patient’s will experience an interruption in the normal blood flow to the penis.
As a result, an erection might not be possible anymore, and in some cases, it is only temporary.
Several elements could be subject to dysfunction, including:
- Smooth muscle damage
- Absence of chemical vasodilators (e.g., nitric oxide)
- Partial obstruction of blood vessels (i.e., atherosclerosis)
Unfortunately, each of these conditions has an entirely different mechanism, which explains the diversity of ED treatments.
For instance, if the patient is old, the chances of restoring normal erectile function are quite low.
However, it is not all doom and gloom; stem cell therapy could be the solution to ED regardless of the patient’s underlying cause.
Let us explore the potential role of stem cell therapy in treating erectile dysfunction.
Stem cell therapy
During the intrauterine phase (i.e., when the baby is inside the womb), the fetus develops his/her organs by differentiating the stem cells into various tissue types.
In other words, a stem cell possesses the potential to become a bone, heart, or muscle cell.
Using this information, scientists attempted to obtain and use stem cells to treat incurable ailments, such as cancer, bone marrow failure, and multiple sclerosis.
Stem cells can also be useful to treat ED when incorporated in a solution that contains platelet-rich plasma (PRP).
Once ready, your doctor injects the solution inside the penis to promote the regeneration of lost tissue.
Researchers noted amazing results shortly after the procedure. Additionally, the effect lasts for more than 12 months, which is significantly longer than the available treatment options.
Takeaway message
Erectile dysfunction is a very common condition that affects millions of men around the world. Currently, the only available treatment options consist of blood vessel-expanding drugs that provide the patient with temporary erections.
Hopefully, the incorporation of stem cell therapy in the treatment of ED will provide a more lasting solution to this problem.
