Erectile Dysfunction Treatment


When a man has erectile dysfunction (ED), he cannot achieve or maintain a firm erection. ED also is called "impotence." About one in every ten men has ED or some degree of impotence.

ED has many causes. Most are physical, such as disease, injury, or drug side effects. Here are some leading risk factors for impotence:

In most cases, physical causes of ED reduce or prevent blood flow or nerve impulses to the penis.

Only about 10% of impotence cases have a psychological cause. Many cases with a physical cause also involve psychological issues. Men with erectile dysfunction can feel anxious, guilty, or depressed. This anxiety can often make the problem worse.

Menu

Home

About Erectile Dysfunction

Impotence Causes

Impotence Treatments
Penile Implants
Injection Therapy
Urethral Suppositories
Vacuum Erection Devices
Drugs
Lifestyle

Sexual Partners Info

Erectile Dysfunction Glossary

Online Pharmacy

Viagra without prescription

Impotence treatment options


Erectile dysfunction can be treated and often cured. The American Medical Association estimates that doctors can effectively treat 95% of ED cases with one of the following therapies:

  • Drug therapy. Drugs work to increase blood flow to the penis. Viagra is the major impotence drug treatment today. Other drugs with similar phosphodiesterase inhibitors (PDE5) are in clinical trials and will likely be marketed in the future. Some drugs even work on the mental or nerve-transmitting part of ED, which helps the brain communicate to the penis.
  • Penile implant. A surgeon places a small, saline-filled medical device that recreates the erectile function. The device transfers fluid to the penis when an erection is desired. The device is totally concealed.
  • Vacuum erection device. The man puts a plastic tube over his penis and creates a vacuum by pumping the air out. The vacuum draws blood to his penis. This makes it erect. He then places an elastic band around the base of his penis to maintain blood in the penis and keep it firm.
  • Injection therapy. The man injects medication into the side of his penis. The medication makes the blood vessels widen. As blood vessels widen or "dilate," blood flow increases to create an erection.
  • Urethral suppository. The man inserts a soft pellet of medication into his urethra. His penis absorbs the medication. Blood flow increases, creating an erection (similar to injection therapy but without the needle).
  • Psychotherapy. Whether ED has a physical cause or not, a man may benefit from therapy that teaches him how to reduce his anxiety about sex.

Each treatment has different complications and side effects. However, the best treatment for erectile dysfunction depends on many things. These include a man's health and relationship, as well as personal and physical tolerance for the treatment.

Contact a urologist who specializes in treating impotence. The doctor will be able to diagnose your erectile dysfunction and discuss treatment options with you and your spouse or partner.

Get more information


Click on the links on this page for more information about each of these therapies (not including psychotherapy).