Stem cell therapy has emerged as a promising means of addressing many hard-to-treat conditions in recent years. One condition being explored as a potential application for the therapy is erectile dysfunction (ED). Characterized by the inability to achieve and maintain an erection for sexual intercourse, the condition affects up to 52% of men to some degree.
While there are existing options available for treating ED, many come with a host of challenging side effects. PDE5 inhibitors such as Viagra, for instance, have been linked to long-lasting erections and damage to hearing and vision. If medications don’t suffice, procedures such as penile implants could be posed as solutions, but many men understandably seek to avoid these more invasive routes.
Stem Cell Therapy: A Cure For Erectile Dysfunction?
In the ongoing quest to find a solution for ED and thus the improve quality of life in men experiencing it, researchers have been exploring alternative therapies for the condition. Stem cell therapy, in particular, is a regenerative medicine therapy that has been shown to restore sexual function in men with ED.
According to findings from researchers at the Odense University Hospital in Denmark, more than a third of men with ED who received stem cell therapy were able to achieve a spontaneous erection within six months of beginning the treatment. Study participants had not responded to any standard treatments for ED previously. Within one year, all participants witnessed improve erectile function.
In this instance, stem cell therapy for ED consisted of extracting adipose (fat) cells from participants. Researchers then isolated the stem cells from these cells and re-injected these concentrated cells into participants. Stem cells have the exclusive capability to turn into specialized cells with specific functions, and they can also self-renew.
The enormous potential for stem cell therapy is clear, and in time, we will likely see this treatment become a standard clinical practice for addressing traditionally challenging conditions. In the ED study, for instance, the remarkable results stand as proof that regenerative medicine therapy holds the key to unlocking a healthier and more satisfying lifestyle for people experiencing hard-to-treat issue.
This post was written by Becky Palmer, a medical professional at Stemedix Inc. At Stemedix we offer Regenerative Medicine, also known as Stem Cell Therapy in Tampa, this therapy naturally acts to rebuild and regenerate neural tissues that are lost from the progression of all different types of diseases.
