Introduction
There are 30 million Americans who suffer from erectile dysfunction, which is a widespread problem. It’s critical to understand that, despite its prevalence, it shouldn’t be accepted as usual and can complicate your sexual life. The good news is that there are existing therapies and medicines to help men who suffer from erection problems. Experts are trying to develop better ED Medication and various therapies.
What is Erectile Dysfunction (ED)?
A person with erectile dysfunction struggles to achieve or maintain a powerful erection during sexual engagement. Usually, any ED medication that has various substances, such as nitric oxide, does the job. However, there are other ways to accomplish this if the medicines do not work. It prompts muscle relaxation in the penis and facilitates blood circulation in it.This, in turn, hardens the penis. In addition to blocking the veins, this technique also maintains the erection’s firmness. It’s acceptable to occasionally have trouble getting an erection, but if it starts happening frequently, it could indicate an ED.
Symptoms of ED
- A challenge in getting an erection.
- Not long-lasting erections
- Having an erection sometimes, but not right before having sex
- Decrease in sexual desire or interest.
Current ED Treatments
Oral ED Medication
Inhibitors of phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) relax smooth muscles and improve blood flow to the penis, which is how they function. Be aware that this kind of ED medication doesn’t bring about an instant erection; it necessitates sexual arousal.
Typical PDE5 inhibitors consist of:
- Viagra (sildenafil)
- Lisinopril (Levitra)
- Cialis (tadalafil)
If you take nitrate medicines you shouldn’t use inhibitors of PDE5 simultaneously to safeguard your cardiovascular system.To guarantee safety, you should wait one to two days between ED medication dosages.
Alpha-blocker users may want to avoid taking PDE5 inhibitors unless a doctor has carefully evaluated and approved the combination.
Read more: Do Chewable ED Medications Really Work?
Injections
Doctors know how to administer particular prescription drugs directly inside the penis’ erection chambers.These injections can be an ED medication choice. It helps when erectile issues are caused by:
- Psychological issues
- A blood vessel injury
- Nerve issues
- When oral drugs haven’t worked.
These injectable medicines include, for instance:
- (Caverject Impulse) Alprostadil
- Phentolamine (Regitine) with papaverine
It’s significant to be aware that this ED medication might cause adverse reactions such as:
- A harm to the penis
- Bleeds, erythema, or bruising at the injection site
- Dizziness
- Blood pressure changes, either high or low
- Priapism is the term that the medical world uses for long-lasting, unpleasant erections that continue for more than four hours.
Alprostadil Suppositories or Cream
Using a special applicator, insert a pellet-shaped alprostadil suppository into your urethra to use it. Alprostadil’s improvement of blood flow to the penis can Alead to an erection that begins within 10 minutes and persists for as long as an hour.
Use alprostadil before intercourse if you have trouble getting an erection, but not more than twice a day. Use a condom if your partner is capable of becoming pregnant because it is unknown how alprostadil may impact fertility.
The tip of the penis may become narrower, scarred, or swollen as a result of suppositories.
When any ED medication doesn’t help with erectile dysfunction, an effective alternative is alprostadil cream. With approval in more than 10 countries and up to an 83% success rate, it works for many people.
Testosterone Replacement
An excellent option if your body has low amounts of testosterone is testosterone replacement therapy. It could prove helpful in a lesser degree of erectile issues, but it could not prove to be so successful for those with greater severity.
By increasing your testosterone levels, you may improve your body’s response to any ED medication, like PDE5 inhibitors, which are frequently prescribed for ED.
Penis Pump
Erectile dysfunction can be treated safely and non-invasively with penis pumps or vacuum erection devices.
There are three components to it:
- An insertable plastic tube for the penis.
- An extension tube for a pump.
- A ring that fits around the penis to keep the erection strong.
Consult your healthcare professional before using a penile pump, particularly if you have an illness like sickle cell anemia or take medications that thin the blood like warfarin. This is because they could raise the risk of bleeding.
Penis soreness and bruises, tiny red dots from under-the-skin bleeding, and skin that may turn numb, cold, or seem blue are all potential side effects.
Surgery
Inflatable Penile Implant
The typical inflatable penile implant consists of a scrotal pump, inflatable cylinders, and a fluid-filled reservoir. For an erection, it inflates, and when it deflates, fluid is returned to the reservoir. However, there are concerns, including infections and mechanical problems. Studies indicate increased satisfaction.
Malleable Penile Implant
Malleable penile implants are less common, semi-rigid devices that bend the penis for sexual activity and concealment.
Psychological Counselling
Sometimes, when an ED medication does not work, it might be psychological issues that play a role in erection. Counseling can be helpful, along with pills. Therapists teach methods to lower stress and anxiety. It offers a secure setting for candid conversations about emotions.
Couples can participate in joint counseling sessions. Getting support from your partner and sharing experiences can improve communication and help with relationship issues.
External Penile Prosthesis
When ED medication and other treatments aren’t effective or surgery isn’t an option, an external penile prosthesis might be a viable choice. This device includes a customized artificial penis in a harness, resembling an erect penis. While there’s limited research on its effectiveness, it offers a less invasive alternative for treating ED.
Lifestyle Changes
The Effectiveness of ED Medication and Treatments can be increased by maintaining a healthier way of life. It additionally helps you feel better psychologically.
Think about the following lifestyle changes:
- Stop smoking and stay away from drugs.
- Limit your daily alcohol intake to one to two drinks.
- Maintain a healthy weight; ED may be improved by decreasing 5–10% of your body weight and having a BMI under 30.
- Exercise on a consistent basis is vital to improve the flow of blood.
- If you are a diabetic, you have to track and regulate your blood blood sugar levels.
- Develop an eating plan that integrates diverse foods, fruits, vegetables, dairy ,etc
- Avoid food high in saturated fats, red meat and processed foods
What are the Other Additional Paths to Explore for ED Treatment?
Other than an ED medication there are various treatments that are also worth a try, which are as follows:
Stem Cell Therapy
In this method, the cells are injected into the penis to fix damaged tissue, especially in cases where diabetes causes erection problems. Early tests on people and studies on animals have shown good results. However, we need more advanced trials to be sure it works as well as any ED medication, therapy, or other treatments.
Platelet-rich Plasma
Platelets are essential for blood clotting, healing wounds, and repairing tissues. PRP, a special kind of platelet-rich plasma, has many medical uses. Some experiments suggest that injecting PRP into the penis might temporarily help with erectile dysfunction. Nevertheless, Medical experts need to conduct more investigation to find out whether PRP is more beneficial than any other type of ED medicine or therapy.
Vascular Stent
Stents are like tiny tubes used to keep blood flowing well in your body and prevent blockages in arteries. It can help with erections, especially in men with ED, caused by artery problems. They often recommend stents for younger people with specific blood vessel injuries. However, we’re not sure yet if stents are a long-term solution, and more research is needed to be sure.
Penile Transplantation
The fact that should be noted is that penile transplants are now not a generally approved form of Treatment for Erectile Dysfunction because very less patients have opted for it. Therefore, it is still unclear if it will be beneficial in treatment of erectile issues.
Shockwave Therapy
Shockwave therapy involves using gentle shock waves to interact with deep penile tissue, helping natural erections occur. These shock waves trigger the release of proteins that promote the growth of blood vessels in the tissue, ultimately enhancing blood flow to the penis.
In a study, 15 out of 20 men saw their International Index of Erectile Function score increase by more than five points. Ten of these men could still achieve erections without the use of any ED medication after six months.
Further research is required for broader acceptance of shockwave therapy as an ED treatment.
Also read: Solution for Overcoming Erectile Dysfunction
CONCLUSION
Erectile dysfunction is a common issue, and there are effective ED medications, treatments, and lifestyle improvements available. Consult a medical professional to determine the remedy that suits you in the best manner.
FAQ
More than 90% of men face occasional, temporary erectile dysfunction in their lives.
In other instances, a man may decide to postpone seeing a doctor if he thinks that certain life circumstances, such as a job loss, a breakup, or situational stress, may be the reason for his transient ED. However, it is advised to seek medical guidance if a guy consistently and persistently struggles to achieve satisfactory sexual performance because the doctor can prescribe any ED medication, treatment, or therapy for it.
Erectile dysfunction may serve as an indicator of other underlying health concerns, such as diabetes, hypertension, or hormonal imbalances.
The physician proposes this procedure in case any ED medication is not helpful and there is severe erectile dysfunction. However, a urologist might decide against proceeding if a patient lacks the necessary hand dexterity to operate the pump or has unique medical conditions that make them unable to endure a half-hour procedure.
No, thanks to continual technological advances, the likelihood of implants breaking is quite low. These contemporary implants normally function for the duration of the patient’s life or until the patient no longer desires them.
Penile implants come in various brands and materials. The one typically used is silicone with saline-filled cylinders.
Dr. Eric Brians is an expert who studies and helps people with erection-related issues. He has a wealth of experience in this area. He has a deep affection for patients and readers and desires that they succeed in their relationships with each other. He has a special way of understanding how ED affects minds and relationships.
He has in-depth knowledge as a sex- expert.. He has worked closely with people who have sexual problems and with men who have performance difficulties. He has helped many people deal with emotional and relationship challenges by understanding and focusing on their specific needs.
Eric is a sex expert who studies the details of the inability to achieve or maintain an erection. He looks at how it can affect men’s minds and their relationships with their partners. He has created a safe and accepting place for people to openly talk and be honest about their sexual health. He believes it’s important for individuals to explore how their emotional well-being and physical health affect their sexual lives.
He is dedicated to improving sexual health and it shows in his work as a respected expert in this area. He is working hard to change people’s perspective about erectile insufficiency and help men and partners have a happy and healthy sexual life. He is making a big difference in their lives by talking to them one-on-one or through his blogs and articles.