Erectile Dysfunction is the "Check Engine" light of the male body because it is often the first sign of a larger problem that is undetected or optimally controlled.

For the first time in the Murfreesboro/Rutherford County community, there is a medical practice that is solely focused on men's health and sexual medicine and strives to treat the whole man in collaboration with referring providers.

Dr. Kevin L. Billups has focused his practice for 30 years on treating sexual health concerns, including erectile dysfunction, testosterone deficiency and penile curvature, using a comprehensive, medical, evidence based approach to get optimal short- and long-term results by working closely with Primary Care and Specialty provider colleagues. His practice at The Billups Center is entirely focused on "Medicine That Matters to Men."

"We believe sexual health problems are not awkward or embarrassing topics but medical problems that need to be assessed adequately and treated appropriately," Billups said.

Dr. Billups believes that sexual health problems, like ED, should be regarded as a "check engine" alert for those experiencing symptoms, as they can be indicative of blood pressure, diabetes or heart problems.

"Erectile dysfunction is often a symptom of a larger medical problem. You can ignore it or mask it, but to get peak performance you must deal with the underlying cause," he said, adding, "And if you continue ignoring the warning signs, you do so at your own risk."

Plenty of ways exist to treat E.D, he said, but the only way to get rid of it is to address the underlying cause. Erectile dysfunction and other sexual health problems do not occur in isolation and have to be treated in the context of the whole man. Billups also noted "Men are no longer looking for a quick fix treatment that just masks the symptom of ED. What guys really want is an effective long term solution that is focused on getting their body organs to function optimally."

Billups opened the Billups Center recently in the Sleep Center building at 1508 Carl Adams Drive, Suite 400, just off Medical Center Parkway. The Billups Center offers medication, takes health care insurance, offers comprehensive care and works closely with your primary care provider.

Billups brings impressive credentials to the practice. He is a pioneering board-certified Urologist who has focused his practice on Men's Health & Sexual Medicine for the past 30 years. A Harvard University graduate, he received his medical degree from The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and completed his residency in Urology at The Johns Hopkins Hospital Brady Urological Institute. He also completed a 3-year fellowship in Reproductive and Sexual Medicine at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville right after his residency.

A native of New Orleans, Billups grew up in Baltimore. He has been married to wife, Tracy, for 34 years. They have three children, son Kevin, 31, daughter Lauren, 29, and daughter Jordan 17.

Billups currently lives in Nashville with plans to relocate to Murfreesboro next year. He enjoys outdoor activities like hiking and cycling. He was an avid bowler in the past and is also a former Assistant Scoutmaster in the Boy Scouts during his time in Minneapolis.

Contact information:

The Billups Center

1508 Carl Adams Drive, Suite 400

Murfreesboro, TN37129

Office Phone: 615-551-2100

Email: DrBillups@TheBillupsCenter.com

Website: TheBillupsCenter.com

Fact About Sexual Health

Important Facts About Erectile Dysfunction and its Link to Common Chronic Medical Conditions

• If you are overweight or obese, you are at increased risk to develop diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, erectile dysfunction, testosterone deficiency, sleep apnea and other chronic conditions
• One indicator of trouble is a waist size (measured at your belly button) of more than 40 inches
• Men between the ages of 40 - 50 with ED have a 50-fold increase risk of a heart attack or serious vascular event compared to men without ED
• Up to 80% of men with diabetes with develop ED
• The severity of the ED and the HgA1c level are closely related
• Men with high blood pressure are about 2x more likely to have ED than men with a normal BP
• Up to 70% of men with moderate or severe obstructive sleep apnea suffer from some degree of ED