Dr. Paul E. Perito

Since 2005, Dr. Paul E. Perito has been Coral Gable’s foremost expert on erectile dysfunction, with his minimally invasive penile implant technique revolutionizing the field. Dr. Paul E. Perito is with us today on the Interviewing-Experts Blog to answer questions he frequently sees regarding erectile dysfunction.

Presentation Solutions: Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Paul E. Perito. How does a patient know if he’s suffering from erectile dysfunction?

Dr. Paul E. Perito: Thank you for having me. If a man is having difficulty developing and maintaining an erection during sexual intercourse, it may be time to seek treatment.

Presentation Solutions: But there are varying degrees of erectile dysfunction, right, Dr. Paul E. Perito?

Dr. Paul E. Perito: In mild cases, a patient is able to attain an erection most of the time, say seven or eight times for every ten attempts. These cases may be treatable through medication or injections. A moderate case would be a patient who is successful about half the time, with a severe case being a patient who can achieve erection less than four attempts out of ten. Some severe patients are never able to achieve erection.

Presentation Solutions: How common is sexual dysfunction?

Dr. Paul E. Perito: It’s more common than most people realize. According to the National Institutes of Health, more than 30 million men in this country suffer from the condition, with it growing more likely with age. Almost half of all men older than 75 suffer from erectile dysfunction.

Presentation Solutions: Those are some pretty grim statistics, Dr. Paul E. Perito.

Dr. Paul E. Perito: Yes, but it’s important to note that no matter what a man’s age, erectile dysfunction can be treated.

Presentation Solutions: Dr. Paul E. Perito, are these statistics increasing as baby boomers age?

Dr. Paul E. Perito: Actually, yes. The number of patients seeking treatment is said to be double what it was ten years ago. As the demand increases, we’re trying to find new, less painful ways to treat patients, with shorter recovery time.

Presentation Solutions: What causes erectile dysfunction, Dr. Paul E. Perito?

Dr. Paul E. Perito:: Patients with diabetes often develop erectile dysfunction—in fact, statistically about half of all diabetes patients will suffer from erectile dysfunction within ten years of diagnosis. Smoking also seems to be connected to the problem, with the problem more prevalent among men who smoke more than a pack a day. And, of course, the likelihood of erectile dysfunction increases with age.

Presentation Solutions: Dr. Paul E. Perito, can certain medications cause erectile dysfunction?

Dr. Paul E. Perito:: Erectile dysfunction is a side effect of some IMISFC blood pressure medicine and some sedatives. Narcotics and alcohol can also be contributing factors. In these cases, we may recommend the patient discuss adjusting medications with his patient or refrain from drinking for a while to see if the problem clears up.

The information contained in this article is provided by Dr. Paul E. Perito for educational purposes only. It is not intended to treat or diagnose any condition.