Erectile dysfunction is the inability to develop and maintain a firm erection needed for satisfactory sexual intercourse. According to the Cleveland Clinic, erectile dysfunction is distinct from premature ejaculation or other ejaculatory disorders and generally must persist for at least three months to meet clinical guidelines. Several approved oral medications and a number of other injectable, suppository and topical drugs are available to treat erectile dysfunction.
Oral Drugs
Prescription drugs taken by mouth are available to treat erectile dysfunction (ED). The three medications approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of ED are sildenafil, tadalafil and vardenafil, according to the Mayo Clinic. Each of these drugs works by enhancing the functioning of a naturally occurring chemical in the body, called nitric oxide, that helps to relax the muscles of the penis, thereby increasing blood flow and facilitating an erection in the presence of sexual stimulation. According to the Cleveland Clinic, clinical studies of these drugs have shown that they are highly effective, with success rates ranging from 70 to 90 percent. Each of these drugs has side effects and may not be suitable for individuals with uncontrolled diabetes or those who are taking certain heart and blood pressure medications.
Alprostadil
Alprostadil is administered as a self-injection or suppository to treat impotence or the inability to get or keep an erection. According to the National Institutes of Health, alprostadil is a vasodilator that relaxes the blood vessels and muscles in the penis to facilitate an erection. It comes as a pellet-like suppository to be placed into the urinary opening of the penis, or as a powder to be mixed with liquid and injected into the base or side of the penis. Typically, it produces an erection within five to 20 minutes and can cause an erection that lasts from 30 to 60 minutes.
According to the Mayo Clinic, other medications, such as papaverine or phentolamine, may be self-injected alone or in combination with alprostadil.
Testosterone Replacement Therapy
In some cases, erectile dysfunction can be the result of low levels of testosterone. Testosterone replacement therapy may be administered in one of several routes in an effort to raise testosterone hormone levels and improve sexual function. According to the Cleveland Clinic, men may opt to receive intramuscular injections of testosterone once every two to three weeks, to apply testosterone patches daily on the body or scrotum or to apply testosterone gel on a daily basis to the abdomen, upper arms and shoulders. Each method has associated side effects, so it is important to discuss the pros and cons of each approach with your doctor.
