Intimate health

7 ways to treat erectile dysfunction

Do you suffer from a slight weakness in your penis? There are treatment options for men with erectile dysfunction.

Don’t let things drag on and regain your self-confidence with real sexual activity. Don’t put up with Nature and regain your virility with one of these solutions.

Relief from

Treatment for men unable to achieve an erection took a major leap forward when the first erectile dysfunction (ED) drug, Viagra (sildenafil), was introduced in 1998. However, many other treatments exist, such as over-the-counter pumps for surgical implants and suppositories.

Diagnosing your own ED on your own is not a good idea, however. If you’re having trouble getting an erection, it’s important to consult a doctor before pursuing any type of treatment. There could be a medical explanation for your condition, and your health and sexual history could come into play.

1 – Pills

Viagra, Cialis (tadalafil) and Levitra (vardenafil) combat erectile dysfunction by relaxing the smooth muscles of the penis, increasing blood flow and enabling erection.

You’ll find plenty of literature on the effectiveness of these phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE-5) inhibitors. “Erectile dysfunction drugs are 70% effective in enabling the penis to become hard for sexual activity,” say the specialists.

And the pills are generally considered safe. Side effects can include headaches, sinus congestion, indigestion and blue vision, but are generally mild. “They are among the safest medications on the planet”.

If you’re taking ED medication, don’t take nitrates, such as nitroglycerin tablets to relieve chest pain, or the recreational drugs known as “poppers”. The combination can lower blood pressure to dangerous levels and may even cause a heart attack.

2 – Injections

If oral medications don’t work, a doctor may recommend injecting the medication directly into the base or side of the penis with a tiny needle, or inserting a suppository into the urethra.

The injectable drug alprostadil is a synthetic version of prostaglandin E1, a hormone-like substance that works in a similar way to erectile dysfunction pills. Some injections mix alprostadil with other drugs, such as the vasodilator papaverine and the alpha-blocker phentolamine, to increase its effectiveness. Your doctor can teach you how to perform the injections yourself at home.

3 – Suppositories

If you’d rather not inject yourself, or if you’re afraid of needles, a suppository called MUSE – containing the drug alprostadil – is available. Although it’s not considered as effective as injections. “The injection consists of a direct delivery of medication into the penis. Whereas the suppository is inserted into the urethra and loses its strength as it is absorbed,” says Ridwan Shabsigh, MD, Director of the Division of Urology at Maimonides Medical. Center and professor of clinical urology at Columbia University in New York.

Both methods have the same main complaint. Men who use injections or MUSE often say they minimize the spontaneity of sex because it takes time to prepare and administer the drugs.

4 – Pumps

Penis vacuum pumps make some people laugh. But they are highly effective in increasing blood flow to the penis. And they’re available without a prescription at a relatively low cost.

The process of pumping air out of the tube draws blood into the erectile tissue. To remain upright after removing the tube, it is advisable to place a constriction ring at the base of the penis.

5 – Constriction rings

Cock rings” worn around the base of the penis can slow the rate at which blood leaves the penis. Although constriction rings do not increase blood flow to the penis, they can prolong the erection once achieved. Using a vacuum pump, for example.

Do not use the rings for more than 30 minutes. Remove them immediately if you feel cold, numbness or pain in the genital area.

6 – Implants

Penile implant technology is constantly improving. They rival implants in other parts of the body, such as pacemakers. There are two types of implant.

 

Inflatable implants are cylinders implanted in the mounting chambers of the penis. They are then inflated by a hydraulic pump implanted in the scrotum.

Malleable implants are semi-rigid, bendable rods implanted in the penis. They can then be manually manipulated into an erect or flaccid position.

 

7 – Surgery

Vascular surgery is rarely performed, but may be your last resort for some. Some patients may benefit from vascular surgery. But this number is less than 1% of men suffering from erectile dysfunction. It’s the equivalent of coronary bypass surgery, and requires surgeons who specialize in the field.

 

About author

Pamela Dupont

While writing about relationships and sexuality, Pamela Dupont found her passion: creating captivating articles that explore human emotions. Each project is for her an adventure full of desire, love and passion. Through her articles, she seeks to touch her readers by offering them new and enriching perspectives on their own emotions and experiences.

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