Treatments and medicine for erectile dysfunction (Impotence). Penis pumps, implants and surgery.

Treatments and medicine for erectile dysfunction

The very first thing that your doctor must make sure of is that you are getting the correct treatment for any health problems that may be the reason of your erectile dysfunction.

There is a large variety of options for treating this condition. The best treatment for you depends on the reason and severity of your erectile dysfunction as well as any health problems which may be influencing it. Your doctor must be able to explain all the risks and advantages of each treatment and determine which is best for you. The preferences of you partner can also play a role in what treatment would best suit you.

Oral drugs

There are many oral medications which can successfully treat erectile dysfunction. These include:

Vardenafil (Levitra)

Sildenafil (Viagra, Revatio)

Tadalafil (Cialis)

All of these medications work in a similar way. These medications improve the effects of a natural chemical produced by a man's body called nitric oxide, which relaxes penis muscles. This causes the flow of blood to the penis to increase and as a result a person can get an erection in response to sexual arousal.

Do not expect that these drugs will cure your erectile dysfunction instantly. You will probably need to undergo a lengthy treatment and work together with your doctor.

Before you start taking any prescription drugs for treating erectile dysfunction (this includes over-the-counter and herbal medicine) you should get your doctor's approval. Even though these drugs are generally beneficial, not all men can take them safely to treat erectile dysfunction. These medications can be potentially risky to use if you:

Are using nitrate drugs to treat angina

Are using medication for blood-thinning, alpha blockers for treating enlarged prostate or medicine for treating increased blood pressure

Are suffering from heart diseases or heart failure

Have had a stroke

Have uncontrolled diabetes

Have either very low or too high blood pressure

Other medications

Other medications used to treat erectile dysfunction include:

Alprostadil self-injection. This method involves using a very thin needle to inject alprostadil into the penis. Sometimes, medication which are used for treatment of other conditions are used for these injections either on their own or together with other medicine.

Alprostadil penis suppository. This therapy involves putting a tiny alprostadil suppository inside the penis. A special applicator is used to insert the suppository about five centimeters down into the penis. Side effects may include a minor bleeding in the urethra, pain, dizziness and formation of fiber tissue inside the penis.

Testosterone replacement. Some men suffer from erectile dysfunction due to low levels of testosterone, so a testosterone replacement therapy may be necessary.

Penis pumps, implants and surgery

Medications do not always work or simply may be a bad choice for your case. Then your doctor may recommend you other treatments, which include:

Penis pumps. A penis pump is a tube with a pump, which is used to create a vacuum and pull blood into the penis. Once you achieve an erection, you place a tension ring around the penis base in order to hold the blood in and keep the erection hard.

Penile implants. This operation involves a surgical placement of devices into two sides of the penis. The implants consist of inflatable or semi-rigid silicone rods. These devises enable you to control when you have an erection and how long it will stay. Semi-rigid rods can keep the penis hard but bendable.

Blood vessel surgery. Sometimes, a leaking blood vessel may be the reason for erectile dysfunction and so a person will need surgery in order to cure it.

Psychological assistance

If you are suffering from erectile dysfunction because of stress, depression or anxiety your doctor may recommend you to visit a psychologist, either alone or together with your partner. Even if the condition is caused by physical ailments, it can create stress and relationship problems.