Erectile Dysfunction and Stem Cells: Removing the Stigma

By: Dr. Daniel S Briggs 
May 28, 2024    auragens.com

The subject of Erectile Dysfunction (ED) is raised by our patients, and potential patients, often. Can huMSC Stem Cell treatments at Auragens help? Whether their end state goal is to improve procreation or recreation, providing a clear answer is often hard. As ED may cause a serious impact on quality of life, happiness, or be a sign of a more serious aliment, we want to remove any negative stigma around asking for help and proactively provide some answers.

First, it is important to know what the major factors of ED are as the answer to whether our treatments will provide benefit depends on the root cause.

Erectile Dysfunction is a multifactorial condition with triggers that are typically categorized into three (3) buckets: Physical, Psychological, and Lifestyle-related causes.

Physical Causes 🫀

  1. Cardiovascular Diseases: Conditions like atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), high blood pressure, and high cholesterol can restrict blood flow to the penis.

  2. Diabetes: This can damage nerves and blood vessels, leading to ED.

  3. Hormonal Imbalances: Low levels of testosterone or other hormonal imbalances can affect sexual function.

  4. Neurological Disorders: Diseases like Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis, and spinal cord injuries can interfere with nerve signals between the brain and the penis.

  5. Medications: Some medications can cause ED as a side effect, including drugs for high blood pressure, depression, and certain types of painkillers.

  6. Prostate Issues: Treatments for prostate cancer or an enlarged prostate (BPH) can affect erectile function.

  7. Obesity: Being overweight can cause or exacerbate ED due to cardiovascular and hormonal effects.

Psychological Causes 🧠

  1. Stress and Anxiety: High levels of stress and anxiety can interfere with sexual arousal.

  2. Depression: This can reduce sexual desire and cause ED.

  3. Relationship Issues: Poor communication, unresolved conflicts, and lack of intimacy can contribute to ED.

  4. Performance Anxiety: Worrying about sexual performance can itself lead to ED.

Lifestyle-Related Causes 🚬

  1. Alcohol and Substance Abuse: Excessive use of alcohol, tobacco, and recreational drugs can lead to ED.

  2. Lack of Physical Activity: Sedentary lifestyle can lead to poor cardiovascular health, which in turn can cause ED.

  3. Poor Diet: Diets high in fat, sugar, and processed foods can contribute to obesity and cardiovascular problems, both of which can cause ED.

Can Auragens Help?

When asked, can Auragens help?, we first must do our best to understand which of the above three categories a man falls into before addressing.

Through our experience in the field, as well as the literature, studies, and case-based evidence, we know where the immense value of Stem Cells can be recognized in ED remediation. And the inverse is true as well, in that we know where it will most likely not have that direct benefit.

So, the next obvious question is how does a huMSC Stem Cell treatment benefit someone dealing with ED? This will help elucidate which root causes Auragens can treat patients for with expected therapeutic gains.

How Stem Cells May Improve Erective Dysfunction

  1. Regeneration of Damaged Tissue: Stem cells regenerate damaged tissues, including nerves, blood vessels, and smooth muscle cells, which are essential for achieving and maintaining an erection.

  2. Improvement of Blood Flow: By promoting the repair and growth of blood vessels, stem cells can enhance blood flow to the penis, which is crucial for erectile function.

  3. Anti-Inflammatory Effects: Stem cells can reduce inflammation, which might contribute to ED, especially in conditions like diabetes or after radiation therapy.

  4. Neuroprotective Effects: Stem cells can protect and repair nerve cells, which can improve nerve function and responsiveness in the penile tissue.

Conclusion

If the Erectile Dysfunction is likely stemming from a Physical Cause, then yes, Stem Cell Treatment may be a good course of action for long term and sustained help.

But most importantly, it is highly recommended that you do address, if you as the reader are dealing with this issue. ED is the symptom, and it is important for anyone dealing with this to attempt to understand the root cause. Many choose to ignore due to the very private nature of the issue.

*Take comfort in that no man with ED is alone. In the United States a recent study estimated 32% of men regularly deal with ED. And that 72% of men experience some form of ED before the age of 60; But less than half are willing to discuss it with their physician. The true numbers are hard to be certain of as one report had less than 2% of men under 40, who experienced reoccurring ED, report it, or seek treatment in a timely fashion. *