QUESTION: I am 59 years old and have abused alcohol for most of my life. I have erectile dysfunction (ED), and my doctor put me on Viagra and then on generic Levitra. Neither seemed to work very well. I requested that my doctor do a testosterone blood-level check, but he simply refuses, saying that a man of my age does not need his hormone levels checked. It makes no sense to me. I still awaken during the night with good erections. Any suggestions or information would be appreciated.
ANSWER: You raise a number of important issues. Alcohol abuse can certainly contribute to ED, and some of the effects can last for quite a while, even after you stop drinking.
There are a number of medications that can help ED, including Viagra and newer drugs such as Levitra and Cialis. All drugs of this type work by allowing blood to enter and be held in the penis (hence an erection).
