Treatments for Erectile Dysfunction
Treatments for Erectile Dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction is a problem that affects the ability of men to have and maintain their erections. It can cause emotional and psychological stress, especially for people with low self-esteem or those who suffer relationship troubles because of it. However, it is a condition that can be treated and there is a variety of treatments available.
What Methods are Available?
Treatment of ED depends on the underlying cause of the condition and how severe it is. Some of the methods used to treat erectile dysfunction include the following:
- Injections
- Testosterone replacement
- Surgery
- Alprostadil urethral suppository therapy
- Injections
In this treatment, you inject the penis directly to introduce medicine which helps suppress the dysfunction problem. The injection can be done at the side of the penis or at the base. Examples of medicines that are injected include phentolamine, alprostadil or papaverine. This treatment enables a patient have an erection that lasts for twenty to forty minutes.
Some of the side effects of the treatment include:
- Bleeding due to the injection
- Fibrous tissue forming at the site of injection.
- Prolonged erections. This can be dealt with by trying to reduce the dose administered.
2. Testosterone Replacement
Low levels of testosterone can make it difficult to treat ED and hence for such men, it may be necessary to increase their levels of testosterone. This can be done through:
- Injection
- Oral medication
3. Alprostadil Urethral Suppository Therapy
This treatment involves use of a special applicator to place alprostadil suppository in the penile urethra of your penis. It causes an erection within a short period that can last up to an hour long. However, its side effects include slight bleeding in the urethra, pain or even fibrous tissue forming within the penis.
4. Surgery
This method is not widely used and it should be considered only as a last resort. It is recommended for very few men. It involves bypassing the penile arteries that have been obstructed may be due to atherosclerosis.
Other Treatment Methods
If the above methods of treating erectile dysfunction do not work, there are other ways that can be used to deal with the condition such as:
Penile Implants
This involves placement of implants on the sides of the penis. The implants can be semi rigid rods or inflatable. They are recommended for people who have tried other methods without success.
Use of Penis Pumps
This method uses a tube that is placed over the penis and the air inside is then pumped out. This forms a vacuum within that makes the blood to get pulled into the blood vessels in the penis. A ring is then placed at the base of the penis to prevent blood from flowing out of the penis and the pump is removed. After sexual intercourse, the ring is taken off. You should be careful when handling yourself as you may injure the penis during the process. It should also be recommended as a last option after all other treatments have failed.
The Bottom Line
The above modes of treatments will work differently in different men. The success of a treatment should be reviewed and discussed between you and your doctor. This will help select of the best suitable treatment for your condition.
