AI Could Impact Men’s Sexual Health
July 29, 2024
Erectile dysfunction is one of the most common men’s sexual health issues. It is defined as a man’s inability to get or keep an erection that is firm enough for sex. The dysfunction can be short-term or long-lived and can show up in different ways at different times in a man’s life.
Some men can get an erection sometimes but not every time, while some can’t achieve an erection at all. Unfortunately, if left unresolved, the man’s partner might think it’s a loss of sexual interest, although that’s rarely the case. For couples dealing with ED by avoiding sex, it's important to seek treatment.
ED can be the problem or simply a warning sign of another medical condition. But, erectile issues can negatively affect a man’s quality of life, his self-esteem and his intimate relationships. The good news is that once the cause is accurately diagnosed by a doctor, most causes of erectile dysfunction are easily treatable.
While there are many risk factors for ED, any man suffering with discomfort over sex should immediately schedule a health exam and review of his medical history to determine the physical or psychological conditions causing the problem. Usually, erectile dysfunction is temporary, but even when symptoms persist, it can often be fixed by improving one’s lifestyle habits. If there is a medical cause like nerve damage or reduced blood flow to the penis, medical attention is needed.
ED isn't just a problem of aging...
Although men’s sexual health issues involving erectile function are rare in younger men, there is little evidence that ED is caused by the natural aging process. Many elderly men have satisfactory sex involving penetration well into their 70s; and some of those men have lower testosterone levels that does not appear to impact their interest or sexual performance. The Massachusetts Male Again Study was the most prominent early studies with a large population that addressed the link between the occurrence of ED and a man’s age.
More recently, the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study, which was the largest study on male sexual dysfunction at the time, reported that less than 2% of men with erection problems said their symptoms started before age 40. Only 4% said symptoms started between ages 40 and 49. About 1 in 4 said their ED symptoms began between ages 50 and 59. Two in five men said their symptoms began between ages 60 and 69. Generally speaking, ED is commonly seen in middle-aged men and older.
Utility of Artificial Intelligence for Managing ED
Artificial intelligence (AI) could be a game changer in how we diagnose and treat men’s sexual health conditions like ED. Today’s technologies can mimic human thinking to recognize patterns, make decisions and help solve problems. Traditionally, ED has been treated with medical exams and medications. But now, AI can help doctors diagnose and treat ED more effectively, as well as identify connections between clinical data and better patient outcomes. This is due to algorithms that can process large amounts of data quickly and accurately.
Despite the common occurrence of ED, many men are hesitant to seek medical help, leading to under diagnosis. AI can help by developing new diagnostic tools like questionnaires, imaging equipment, and predictive models. Doctors bring their expertise and personal understanding of patients, while artificial intelligence offers objective analysis and data processing. Studies show that AI can create effective diagnostic methods, but more research is needed to confirm these findings and ensure AI's reliability.
In sexual medicine, AI is mostly used today in andrology to help manage infertility. While it's less common in ED treatment for improving men’s sexual performance, AI still offers cost-effective and efficient diagnostic tools. By processing vast amounts of information, AI can develop more accurate approaches to diagnosing ED by reducing errors. In addition to more accurate diagnostics, it can assist in surgeries, enhance research, and tailor treatments to individual needs. AI can also analyze genetic, lifestyle, and psychological data to create tailored treatment plans.
Currently, AI is helping doctors predict and treat diseases by analyzing medical images, genetic information, and clinical records to spot patterns and risk factors linked to dysfunction. For example, it examines things like age, medical history, medication use, and lifestyle to predict who might develop ED. This helps doctors step in early and create a personalized treatment plan. If a patient experiences side effects from a medication, the system can suggest other treatments or dosages for more personalized patient care.
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ED isn’t something you just have to live with. Almost all cases of ED are treatable, leading to better physical and emotional health for patients and improved intimacy for couples. Dr. Earl Eye is a men’s healthcare physician with multiple medical specialties and over forty years of experience in treating male patients. At his Jacksonville practice, he conducts a thorough exam to identify the most probable cause of your performance issues and recommends the best treatment options based on your specific medical problem. Schedule your appointment today and find out which treatment option is right for you.
