Hello

Thanks for your query.

Your question is a very good one. As far as I know and from my experience I have never seen a connection between a colonoscopy procedure and a change in the degree of erectile dysfunction that a patient exhibits.

Along the same lines however, I would like to consider some possible factors which could explain what you experienced.

First, the obvious preparation of the colon involves clearing the colon completely. If you have any issues with chronic constipation this could possibly have an impact on ED. Again I am only postulating here.

In addition, the procedure itself involves inserting a flexible tube through the anus and rectum and into the colon. When this is done there is a degree of stimulation of the prostate gland. This stimulation could have potentially led to a short period of time where you were able to appreciate an improvement of function.

This makes me think that you could possibly have a mildly enlarged prostate. You might discuss this with your PCP or a urologist to get an opinion.

Certainly you should have a prostate exam and a PSA drawn yearly.

If you have an enlarged prostate there are several medications which have shown success in shrinking the size of the gland and improving urinary and possibly erectile funtion.

The last thought I want to leave you with is that medications can affect erectile function.

Lastly, you should have a testosterone level checked to make sure you do not have a deficiency. This can sometimes lead to issues of ED as well.

If everything looks clear, perhaps you could consider a trial of Viagra or an equivalent after discussing with your treating physician, as these medications are well known to be safe and effective.

I hope you found my answer to be both helpful and informative.

If you ahve any additional concerns regarding this I would be happy to address them.

Sincerely,

Dr. Galamaga

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Hello,

Thanks for the followup.

You made an excellent point.

Lack of adequate sleep is well known to be a cause of erectile dysfunction. Perhaps if you can explore this with a sleep specialist you may be able to correct both the sleeping issue and the ED. A sleep study might be a consideration. This allows them to monitor your brain and oxygen levels to rule out sleep apnea or an underlying neurological disorder.

One of the most common causes of sleep difficulty is depression or anxiety. If this is a concern your primary doctor may be able to help. Lastly there are a number of medications in use such as Rozerem or Ambien which have shown good results for temporary use in sporadic insomnia.

Thank you again for the followup and for raising this excellent point regarding sleep. I hope you've found our exchange here to be helpful.

Sincerely,

Dr. Galamaga.

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