Erectile dysfunction affects 1 in 5 Nigerian men over 40 — and many younger men too. It is not a character flaw or an inevitable consequence of ageing. Most cases have an identifiable, treatable cause. At Mascot Healthcare, Akoka, we find it and treat it. Discreet, same day.
Most cases of ED have a physical cause — often an early indicator of cardiovascular disease or hormonal imbalance. Finding the cause determines the treatment.
Erection requires blood to flow into and be retained in the penis. Atherosclerosis, hypertension, diabetes, and high cholesterol all damage blood vessels — reducing penile blood flow. ED caused by vascular disease is often the first symptom of underlying heart disease.
Low testosterone is the most commonly cited hormonal cause of ED. However, elevated prolactin, thyroid dysfunction, and insulin resistance also impair sexual function. A hormone panel identifies the specific imbalance.
Diabetes damages peripheral nerves (diabetic neuropathy) including those controlling erection. Spinal cord problems, multiple sclerosis, and pelvic surgery can also impair nerve signalling.
Stress, anxiety, depression, relationship problems, and performance pressure cause and perpetuate ED — even in men with no physical problem. Psychological ED often manifests as situational — present with a partner but not alone.
In Nigerian culture, erectile dysfunction is one of the most under-reported medical complaints — the stigma is enormous. Men often suffer silently for years, or turn to herbal remedies and "blood of Jesus" preparations sold at motor parks and markets, which are at best ineffective and at worst harmful.
The medical importance of taking ED seriously goes beyond sexual function. ED is now firmly established as an early warning sign of cardiovascular disease. The same atherosclerotic process that narrows penile arteries (causing ED) is happening in coronary arteries — but penile arteries, being smaller, show symptoms years earlier. A man presenting with ED at age 40–50 who is found to have vascular-origin ED has, statistically, a significantly elevated cardiovascular risk that warrants assessment and management.
The burden of uncontrolled hypertension and type 2 diabetes in Lagos is enormous — both conditions are leading causes of vascular ED. Many men presenting to Mascot Healthcare with ED are found to have undiagnosed hypertension or pre-diabetes at their first consultation. Treating the underlying condition treats the ED.
PDE5 inhibitors (sildenafil — Viagra, tadalafil — Cialis) are the first-line medical treatment and are highly effective in the majority of men with vascular or psychological ED. They work by enhancing blood flow to the penis during sexual stimulation — they are not aphrodisiacs and do not cause erections without stimulation.
Hormonal ED requires testosterone replacement (where deficiency is confirmed), prolactin management, or thyroid treatment — depending on the specific hormonal finding. Psychological ED often responds well to brief therapy, lifestyle changes, and sometimes short-term use of PDE5 inhibitors to restore confidence.
Discreet, evidence-based ED assessment at Mascot Healthcare, Akoka. Walk-in available.