How to Stop Erection Problems

Overview

According to the Erectile Dysfunction Information Center, 10 to 15 million men suffer from erectile problems, also known as impotence. It is a condition that renders you unable of getting or maintaining an erection before or during intercourse. There are a variety of treatments available, from medications to vacuum pumps; it is just a matter of finding the right treatment for you.

Step 1

Take medication. Prescription drugs such as Viagra, Levitra and Cialis are often prescribed to stop erection problems in men, returning them to a normal sex life. These drugs work by increasing your body's ability to carry blood flow to your penis. The more blood you have in your penis, the more erect your penis is. The only catch to these drugs is that you must be sexually stimulated for the drugs to help create an erection.

Step 2

Undergo surgery. While prescription drugs are effective, they have side effects which may actually reduce or prevent blood flow to your penis. A better alternative may be a penile implant. Three types exist: three-piece inflatable, two-piece inflatable and semi-rigid rods. Though each type varies slightly, they all produce almost instantaneous erections. They are well hidden, meaning no one except you and your mate knows you have it. These are typically used as treatment when drugs or other therapies have failed.

Step 3

Pump it up. Penile vacuums provide an erection for you, however it is only a temporary solution. You place your penis into a plastic cylinder. You then use the attached pump to draw excess air from the cylinder before blood is drawn into your penis. Once erect, place a plastic tension ring around the base of your penis to keep the blood in place. After intercourse, you remove the ring. At this point, your penis returns to its natural size.

Step 4

Insert a suppository. Urethral suppositories, also known as MUSE (medicated urethral system for erections), are inserted into the head of your penis. The medication in a MUSE is absorbed by the tissue in the penile shaft, resulting in a relaxation of the penile muscles. This allows for greater blood flow into your penis, resulting in an erection.

Step 5

Quit smoking. If you are a smoker, those sticks you believe relax you may actually be hindering your sexual performance. For an erection to take place, your nervous, vascular and endocrine systems must all work in sync. According to the Massachusetts Male Aging Study, smoking makes cardiovascular problems worse, resulting in impotence.

Step 6

Receive injection therapy. This method of stopping erection problems requires a prescription from your doctor or urologist. The injection is a combination of drugs which relax your penile muscles and increase blood flow, making an erection possible. The drugs are injected directly into the side of your penis with an insulin-style needle. Within 10 to 15 minutes, an erection develops and generally lasts up to 60 minutes.