Finding a Treatment for Erectile Dysfunction That Works for You

Erectile dysfunction affects more men than you know. The stigma makes most men suffer in silence and accept it to be a part of their life from thereon. The inability can take a heavy toll on a man’s life and affect him in more ways than one. When you are living in agony, you often fail to see the light at the end of the tunnel. The truth is that erectile dysfunction treatment is possible and is readily available at a sexologist’s office. You only need to have the guts to go and see the doctor and get back to your old life. But you may wonder if it is true, or is only a false hope. Well, there are several treatment options available, and we will look into the options for you. 

Erectile Dysfunction – What You Should Know?

Before jumping into the treatment modalities, it is crucial for you to understand that it can happen to anyone, and you do not need to beat yourself up for it. Do not keep on finding the mistakes that could have led to this outcome. The reasons could be as simple as being overweight and as complicated as an undiagnosed health condition. It would be wise to consult an erectile dysfunction specialist to help you through this condition. 

The dysfunction could result from health conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, autoimmune disorders, cardiac issues, obesity, and so on. It could also happen due to hormonal imbalance, side effects of medicines, excessive drinking, weak pelvic musculature, and smoking. Mental illnesses like depression, stress, and anxiety could also induce physical symptoms. 

Erectile Dysfunction – Treatment options

As common as sexual dysfunction is becoming, there is continuous advancement in medical science. There are plenty of treatment options available at this point. It is for an erectile dysfunction doctor to do a proper physical and psychological assessment with the help of blood tests, ultrasound, and questionnaires to find the exact cause and diagnose the condition. 

The Treatment Options Include –

Treatment of Underlying Disease –

If erectile dysfunction is one of the symptoms of complicated health issues, it is only sensible to cater to the serious health condition first. The sexologist can help you find the causative factor, and guide you to get a proper treatment done. You will be asked to analyze if the dysfunction improves with the treatment provided. 

Pills –

Prescription drugs can be given to men diagnosed with erectile dysfunction. These pills act by relaxing the smooth muscles and improving blood circulation. It only works in the presence of sexual stimulation and would result in an erection. However, these pills do not work on sex drive and only help in getting firmer erections with the stimulus. These medicines could have side effects like flushing, headache, blurred vision, nasal congestion, and indigestion. 

The dose and chemical composition are best decided by an expert and vary from person to person. These medicines could cause serious side effects in some and should never be taken without a doctor’s approval. If you are taking nitrates for cardiac disorders, these pills could cause serious problems. Nitrates widen the blood vessels, and when taken in conjunction with these pills, they could cause low blood pressure, which could be dangerous. If you are taking treatment for prostate enlargement, you should inform the doctor as it could form an unsuitable combination. 

You could also be given hormonal therapy with testosterone supplements if you are deficient. Do not take the supplement without a doctor’s supervision, as it could cause serious side effects. It is only effective in certain cases and is best decided by an erectile dysfunction doctor. 

Injections –

If the medicines were ineffective or could not be given due to other health conditions, self-injections could be your answer. After getting the first injection from your doctor, you can learn to inject yourself before sexual intercourse. It is done with a fine needle at the base of the penis, and the pain due to injection is minimal. The injection causes an erection that almost lasts for an hour maximum and should suffice the purpose. It could however have side effects like a burning sensation and priapism. Priapism is a prolonged erection and might require medical attention. 

The same drug could be given in the form of urethral suppositories. It is usually given inside the penis in the penile urethra. You can insert the pill in the urethra about 10 minutes prior to sexual intercourse. It would result in an erection that could last from half an hour to an hour. It could also have side effects like a burning sensation, minor bleeding, and the formation of fibrous tissue in the area.

Penile Pumps –

Vacuum pumps could be an easy solution to the erection problems. A doctor may advise a vacuum pump that you can use before initiating sexual intercourse. The mechanical aid comprises a hollow tube, a pump, and a ring. The hollow tube is placed on the top of the penile length and the pump is switched on which sucks the air out of the tube and creates a vacuum. It helps in getting the erection and a ring is placed at the base of the penis that helps in holding the erection. Penile Pumps could hold the erection for about half an hour and provides a good time for a couple to have satisfactory sexual intercourse. It does not affect the orgasm, and the erection is usually firm enough. However, it can cause penile bruising and make it purple and cold for the time being. It could also affect ejaculation and cause a weaker ejaculation experience. 

Shockwave Therapy –

It is a non-invasive treatment modality that has been proven effective for kidney stones and orthopedic treatment. Low-intensity shock waves are administered to the penile tissues via a wand. It is shown to improve blood circulation and also helps in growing new blood vessels. 

Surgical Treatment –

If other therapies fail for some reason and do not produce the desired results, surgical intervention could be the ultimate answer. The penile prosthesis can grant erection to men of any age and type of erectile dysfunction. Penile implants are of two types, malleable and inflatable, depending on their mode of action. 

The inflatable type consists of two cylinders and a pump which is placed in the scrotum. You cannot make out the difference in the erection, and the sensitivity of the penis is maintained. The person needs to press on the pump to cause inflation which happens due to fluid transmission from the reservoir to the penis. It mimics natural erection, and the duration is also under control. It comes with a deflation valve which is pressed when it is time for getting back after the intercourse. The fluid returns to the reservoir, causing the limp. 

Another is malleable implants which are bendable rods inserted via surgery. These rods are manually adjusted for erection. The issue with the prosthesis is the surgical intervention which can increase the risk of infections. It includes the installation of a mechanical device that can fail and may require replacement. The prosthesis is put in via surgery and requires anesthesia. Although the procedure is minor, men are required to avoid sexual activity for 6 weeks. The discomfort, bruising, and swelling may last for weeks, and you have to reduce your physical activity. 

The men who have undergone surgery claim it to be successful and satisfactory. The spontaneity remains in their hands, and their sex life gets back to normal. 

Artery reconstruction can also be attempted for men with blocked arteries that cause erectile dysfunction. The blockage is dealt with via surgery to improve the blood circulation to the penis and resolve erection problems.

Psychological Treatment –

Psychological treatment can help patients with mental illnesses like depression, anxiety, stress, etc. Sex therapy is specialized counseling that helps address sexual issues. They try to reach the root cause of your issues and provide coping mechanisms for the same. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy can be done involves learning behavior patterns and is usually combined with sex therapy. Counseling sessions can be provided for patients with depression and anxiety to help manage the condition that further improves erectile dysfunction.

These are the variety of treatment modalities available for erectile dysfunction treatment. The choice remains on the ease and convenience for patients and the doctor decides the best suitable as per the health condition. The future looks bright for treatment modalities as continuous research is happening in the field. More techniques and technologies are being introduced that claim to be more efficient and promise to grant quicker results. 

Bottom Line

Erectile dysfunction treatment is available, and one should avail of timely treatment to resolve the issue at the earliest stage. It is better if you consult an erection dysfunction specialist who can help you learn about the condition from all perspectives and treat you with a holistic approach.