Erectile Dysfunction or ED is a condition where a man cannot get or maintain a firm erection. ED occurs when type V phosphodiesterase (an enzyme) breaks down nitric oxide too quickly. Erectile dysfunction is a very common condition among men, and there are a number of methods used in treating this condition.
1. Medications for Erectile Dysfunction
There are various types of drugs available on the market for the treatment of ED. The following medications have been approved by the Food and Drugs Administration as medications for ED.
- Sildenafil (Viagra):Sildenafil (100 mg)popularly known as Viagrais one of the most popular drugs used to treat ED. Viagra is available as an oral tablet and should be taken an hour before sex. Viagra has been known to improve erectionand hardness and is one of the most prescribed drugs for erectile dysfunction.
- Alprostadil (branded as Caverject, Edex, Muse): Alprostadil comes as a solution which is injected directly into the penis several minutes before having an intercourse. The drug improves blood flow throughout the body and causes the blood vessels in the penis to expand. More than 80 percent of men who use the drug says that it works. Alprostadil can use be up to but not more than three times a week and is available only as a prescription.
- Tadalafil (Cialis): Tadalafil is a highly potent drug that is safe to treat erectile dysfunction. It is an oral drug that increases blood flow throughout your body. Tadalafil should be taken about 30 minutes before sex and may work for up to 48 hours.
- Another great way to treat erectile dysfunction is with the use of vitamins and supplement pills. There are many vitamins and supplements available on the market that can help patients of Erectile Dysfunction. Citrulline, Folic Acid, Vitamin D, Vitamin D3 (Niacin) are some of the major vitamins used in the natural treatment of erectile dysfunction.
There are other drugs which have been approved by the FDA for treating erectile dysfunction. Because of the side-effects attached to these drugs, we recommend that before you take any of them that you consult a physician.
2. ED 1000 / Shockwave Therapy for ED
Blood vessel problems account for about 80% of erectile dysfunction cases. ED-1000 is effective in most of these cases, even when other treatments were not successful. The machine delivers low-intensity shockwave therapy to the penis (ultrasound shockwaves). After treatment, approximately 82 percent of men have been able to get back to normal spontaneous erections without any additional aids. The results from ED 1000 treatment can last between two to five years.
ED 1000 treatments last for 20 minutes and are completed two times per week for three weeks, then a three-week break followed by another three weeks of treatments (12 treatments total over a period of nine weeks). The treatment is completely safe. Shockwave therapyfor erectile dysfunction has no side-effects during treatment and has been approved in over 20 countries.
3. Vacuum Erection Devices (VED) and ED Tension Rings
A tension ring is one of the most common methods used in treating erectile dysfunction. When worn at the base of the penis, a tension ring helps a man maintain an erection for intercourse. The tension ring works by constricting the blood flow out of the penis (while allowing blood to continue to flow in). This keeps the blood in the penis, therefore maintaining the erection.
Vacuum erection devices are commonly used with tension rings. These devices are external pumps with bands on them. Men with erectile dysfunction can use these devices to get and maintain an erection. Attached to the VED is either a battery-operated or hand-operated pump that creates a vacuum around the penis and literally draws the blood into the penis.
After getting an erection, the patient will then slip the rubber ring onto the base of the penis (with a lubricant). Finally, remove the pump after releasing the vacuum.
4. Medical Urethral System for Erections (MUSE).
These are small applicators that introduce a tiny pellet containing a drug called prostaglandin into the end of a man’s urethra or passageway to give him an erection. Before sex, the man will insert the small applicator approximately 1 inch into the end of his penis.
The prostaglandin is then absorbed through the passageway into the back of the penis where two spongy tissue filled cylinders, called the corpora cavernosum, will fill with blood to create the erection. Each applicator is good for one time.
5. Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT)
Testosterone is the main sex hormone in the male body. Low testosterone level is linked with erectile dysfunction, fatigue, low sex drive, reduced sperm count, and weight gain. If a man has symptoms of low testosterone and tests show he has an abnormally low testosterone level, a doctor may suggest treatment.
Testosterone is not a ‘drug’ but is used as the basic ingredient for drugs used to treat erectile dysfunction. Testosterone replacement therapy is available as gels (AndroGel, Testim), skin patches, injections and implants, and mouth patches.
The common side-effects of using testosterone based drugs include acne, breasts or prostate growth, fluid retention that causes swelling, moodiness, and sleep apnea (interrupted breathing during your sleep). Please note that overusing testosterone drugs can increase your chances of suffering from a stroke or heart attack.