When you have a leaky faucet, you call the plumber. But when you have a leaky penis, who do you call? For those of you who may not be up to speed with venous leak ED, it’s a form of erectile dysfunction in which the erect penis cannot stay hard during arousal because blood continually leaks out rather than staying put.  It may sound silly, but even the smallest leaks can sink even the biggest ships. Popstar is back with the tips (and much more than just the tip) on how to stop the leak and make sure your ship is ready to sail!

If you have been following along on our blog journey, you know that erectile dysfunction, or ED, is something we cover a lot as it is ubiquitous among men. But for our newest pop stars, let’s review: Normally when a man is sexually aroused, the cavernosal arteries of the penis expand, allowing the erectile bodies to fill with blood.  In most cases (assuming a venous leak is not present), this leads to an erection because the rapid and uniform expansion of the erectile tissue compresses nearby veins and prevents blood from leaving the penis.  When an orgasm occurs, the whole process reverses: the erectile tissue becomes less rigid allowing blood to exit the penis through the venous system. 

Vasculogenic (or, blood flow-related) erectile dysfunction is one of the most common forms of ED.  But when considering vasculogenic issues, it’s important to distinguish between cavernosal arterial-related erectile dysfunction and venous leak ED. That being said, both can be present together in some cases. The signs of venous leak often include the absence of nocturnal or early morning erections, soft or only partial erections that don’t support penetration, the inability to maintain a fully erect penis during masturbation or partnered sexual activity, and multi-treatment resistance to traditional ED medications.

There are many factors associated with venous leak ED. With aging comes a lot of changes within the body including changes in the structure of collagen and elastin making up the connective tissue of the penis, which can affect the normal expansion of the erectile tissue and compression of the veins. Venous leak has also been linked to diabetes, Peyronie's disease (a buildup of scar tissue in the penis that leads to curved, painful erections), some nerve conditions (like multiple sclerosis), and even severe anxiety.  Penile injury or fracture can damage the integrity of the erectile tissue and compromise it’s usual function, making it harder to keep air in your tire so to speak.

When it comes to leaks of this nature, a wrench and some duct tape aren’t going to cut it. But we have the next best thing: a cock ring. If you are someone who deals with erectile dysfunction, and more specifically venous leak, a cock ring may be a good solution. A cock ring helps trap blood in the penis, making it easier to stay hard. Often combining your favorite cock ring with commonly prescribed ED medications can make them more effective.

For men who are not responsive to medical therapies, surgery may be the best option.  Penile implant surgery remains the gold standard treatment for men with moderate to severe venous leak ED.
 

If you are someone who suffers from venous leak, or any form of erectile dysfunction for that matter, you are definitely not alone.  It’s a disease that affects about 30 million men in the United States.  While we don’t have exact numbers on the prevalence of venous leak-specific ED, some experts believe venous leak is the most common form of vasculogenic erectile dysfunction.  So, if you are exhibiting signs of venous leak, talk to your urologist so you can find the best solution for you.