1. Pharmaceutical Assistance From Impotence Drugs
There are several prescription medications, such as Viagra or Revatio (branded versions of the drug sildenafil citrate), available on the market to treat erectile dysfunction. While they offer a temporary fix for the problem, they are not cures. These drugs all work in a similar fashion. By helping to relax muscles in the penis, they allow more blood to flow into the organ to produce an erection after sexual stimulation.
These medications have been proven to work for many men no matter what the cause of their erectile dysfunction. Not all men are suitable candidates for these drugs, however. Men who have certain heart conditions, have suffered a stroke or have uncontrolled diabetes, hypotension or hypertension should avoid impotence drugs.
These drugs also may have interactions with other medications and herbal supplements. Discuss taking these medications with your doctor and get a valid prescription or explore other options. Men with testosterone deficiencies may be able to get help for their ED from hormone replacement therapy. The hormone prostaglandin E, which relaxes penile muscles and encourages blood flow, can be injected into the penis or inserted in suppository form into the urethra. Hormone treatments often are expensive, have numerous side effects and involve some degree of pain.
2. Erectile Dysfunction Devices
Penis pumps, also called vacuum constriction devices (VCDs), operate externally to create erections. Prior to sexual intercourse, you place the pump over the penis. It creates a vacuum that sucks blood into the organ, causing an erection. You then slide a retaining band down to the base of the penis to constrict the blood. These devices have moderately high satisfaction rates, but are not recommended for all men.
Penile implants, also called penile prostheses, produce erections internally. Implanted surgically, modern versions of these devices consist of two cylinders connected with tubing to a fluid reservoir and a pump. When the pump, which is located between your scrotal sack, is pressed, fluid moves from the reservoir into the cylinders. This inflates the penis. After intercourse, you can deflate the penis by pressing on a valve on the pump. Penis implants have a high satisfaction rate, but are only recommended for those who cannot produce a natural erection. Once you get a penile implant, you probably won't experience a natural erection ever again.
3. Vascular Reconstructive Surgery
If your erectile dysfunction is due to a penile injury that has caused a blockage in one of your arteries, you may be a candidate for vascular reconstructive surgery. This surgery is rarely performed and has questionable results, but it can be helpful for a narrow group of ED sufferers. An artery is harvested from your abdomen and used to bypass the vascular blockage in your penis. The goal is to restore normal blood flow so that you can achieve erection. It's unclear whether this surgery offers a long-term cure, but it's worth discussing with your doctor.
