ED Doctor in Salt Lake City, UT

Even though it’s common and leads to some loss of function for at least half of men over age 50, erectile dysfunction isn’t something you have to learn to live with. Board-certified urologist William Brant, MD, FACS, FECSM, provides research-driven erectile dysfunction (ED) treatments in Salt Lake City, Utah. Because erectile dysfunction may be a symptom of an underlying disorder and can affect your quality of life, prompt medical intervention is important.

Dr. Brant’s fellowship focused on medical and surgical treatments for penile disorders, including plastic and reconstructive issues in penile deformities and erectile dysfunction, as well as prosthetic surgeries for erectile dysfunction. He is the only urologist in the area fellowship-trained in men’s sexual health, and performs far more erectile dysfunction operations than anyone in the western United States.

Dr. Brant is also a member of multiple medical organizations, including the American Urological Association, the Sexual Medicine Society, and the Society of Urologic Prosthetic Surgeons. He has authored over 100 works, including various chapters in six textbooks of Urology. To schedule your ED evaluation in Salt Lake City and get started on treatment as soon as possible, click the online booking tool or call our urology clinic at (801) 965-2767. Men from across the intermountain west including Wyoming, Idaho, Colorado, and Utah are willing to travel to Salt Lake City to consult with Dr. Brant given his extensive experience treating erectile dysfunction.

What is Erectile Dysfunction (ED)?

If you’re having problems getting and/or keeping an erection hard enough for sex, you might have symptoms of erectile dysfunction (ED). ED is defined as the persistent inability to achieve or maintain a penile erection sufficient for satisfactory sexual performance.¹ED can limit your intimacy, affect your self-esteem, and impact your most important relationships. Beyond the physical manifestations, ED can cause emotional distress and may impact your quality of life.² The important thing to understand is that ED is more common than you may think, and you’re not alone. In fact, more than half of men over the age of 40 suffer from some degree of ED. ³

Causes of ED

ED occurs when the blood flow to the penis is interrupted or when the nerves become damaged. There are many different factors that may contribute to this and can include diabetes, heart disease, prostate cancer treatment, depression, anxiety, and the side effects of some medications.^2,4 Lifestyle habits like sleep, smoking, alcohol consumption, exercise, and diet can also affect the quality of your erection.

How is ED Diagnosed?

If you cannot get an erection more than 50% of the time, it may be time to visit your doctor. A personal history and physical exam can help you and your doctor understand the underlying causes of your ED. Lab tests and other tests may identify a source such as diabetes, coronary artery disease or other conditions that affect the nerves and blood flow to the penis. Understanding what is causing your ED can help you and your doctor determine the treatment options that are right for you.

1. Erectile dysfunction. NIH: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/erectiledysfunction.html. Accessed May 2015.
2. DiMeo PJ. Psychosocial and relationship issues in men with erectile dysfunction. Urol Nurs. 2006 Dec;26(6):442-6.
3. Feldman HA, Goldstein I, Hatzichristou DG, et al. Impotence and its medical and psychosocial correlates: results of the Massachusetts Male Aging Study. J Urol. 1994 Jan;151(1):54-61.
4. Shabsigh R, Lue TF. A Clinician’s Guide to ED Management. New York: Haymarket Media Inc.; 2006.

Additional Causes of ED

ED is never something you should overlook or ignore. Other potential underlying causes of erectile dysfunction include:

• Trauma, particularly injury to your pelvis or spinal cord
• Neurological diseases, including Parkinson’s disease
• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• Previous pelvic surgery
• Elevated cholesterol
• Obesity

For some men, prescription medications lead to impotency issues, especially blood pressure-lowering drugs. You should also know that frequent bicycle or horseback riding is unlikely to contribute to ED, although a thorough medical exam is still important to determine your risk.