Treatments for Erectile Dysfunction
There is a variety of erectile dysfunction treatments available. Important factors for the determination of the best treatments are underlying health problems, causes, and condition severity. Not only will the doctor explain each treatment’s benefits and risks, they will take your preferences into consideration. The preferences of your partner will also play a role in the choice for treatment.
Many men successfully use oral medications to treat erectile dysfunction. These include:
- Cialis (Tadalafil)
- Levitra, Staxyn (Vardenafil)
- Viagra (Sildenafil)
All of these medications work in a similar matter. Nitric oxide, which causes the penis muscles to relax and is a natural chemical produced by the body, is enhanced by these drugs. Blood flow is increased allowing you to obtain an erection when sexually stimulated. The dosage, side effects, and how long it takes the medications to work will vary. The determination of which medication will work best will be made by your doctor using your specific situation.
Flushing, headache, stomach upset, changes in vision and nasal congestion are among the possible side effects.
Your erectile dysfunction might not be fixed immediately by the medications. You might have to have the dosage adjusted and work with the doctor to find the medication that is right.
Get a doctor’s approval before you take any prescription, over the counter or herbal remedy for erectile dysfunction. Not all men should take these medications for erectile dysfunction even though they might help some people. There medications might not only fail to work for you they could be dangerous if:
- Nitrate drugs which are typically prescribed for angina (chest pain) are being taken including various forms of nitroglycerin, isosorbide dinitrate and isosorbide mononitrate.
- Have had a stroke
- Have heart disease or failure
- Are taking an anticoagulant (blood thinner), medication for high blood pressure or alpha blockers for benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate)
- Suffer from diabetes that is not under control
- Have uncontrolled hypertension (high blood pressure) or hypotension (extremely low blood pressure)
Penis pumps, surgery and implants
It may or may not be a good choice to use medications and they might not work for you. The doctor might recommend a different option for treatment in this case.
Other options for Treatment:
- Vacuum erection device (penis pump) – a battery operated or hand powered hollow tube that acts as a pump. It is put over the penis and used to suck air out of the tube. Blood is pulled into the penis by the vacuum that is created. A tension ring is placed around the penis base once an erection is gotten so that the blood will remain in it, keeping the penis firm. The device is then removed. The erection will usually last long enough for you to have sex. The tension ring is removed after intercourse. A possible side effect is the bruising of the penis and ejaculation might be less forceful. A specific model might be recommended by your doctor, as a penis pump is a good option for your treatment. You will be sure that the manufacturer is reputable and it fits your needs. The ones that you find in sex ads, and magazines might not be effective or safe.
- Penile implants – two sides of the penis have devices surgically placed in them. Semi-rigid or inflatable rods are what make up these implants. You can control when you have an erection and how long it is with inflatable devices. The penis is kept firm but can be bent with the semi-rigid rods. Other methods are usually tried before these are suggested. Complications such as infection are a risk just like they would be with any other surgery.
- Blood vessel surgery – erectile dysfunction can be caused by obstructed or leaking blood vessels in rare cases. There are surgically repaired.
ammy Mahan shares her knowledge on Healthline.com .
