7 Restorative Therapies for Erectile Dysfunction

The inability to stay erect during sexual activity is ED. It is more common in men above 40 but younger people can also experience it. It is the most common sexual dysfunction and several therapies for erectile dysfunction are there to get rid of it.

Keep reading this article to know more about ED and its therapies so if you are going through this distressing condition, you can opt for the best option.

ED – A Treatable Condition

It is estimated that over 300 million men will experience ED by 2025 so you are not alone and different proven treatments are available for you. It may be a temporary or long-term issue but in either case it is treatable. 

You can restore your sexual function by picking a treatment option that fits you well. To figure out which is best for you, you need to know the causes.

The Causes of ED

There are different causes of Erectile Dysfunction such as:

• Smoking
• Being Overweight
• Lack of Exercise
• Alcohol or Drug Use
• Diabetes
• Depression
• Side Effects from Medications

Therapies for Erectile Dysfunction

ED can be a source of frustration and low self-esteem for men but there is hope with effective therapies that might be designed according to the individual needs. ED is not just related to sexual health but also to the overall well-being of a person. 

It is sometimes an indicator of other ongoing problems in the body so treating it or seeking medical help is very important.

Research is ongoing to determine the Best Treatments for ED, and we have compiled a list of 7 restorative therapies for ED currently being used worldwide.

1. Oral Medications- First-Line Therapy

The first line of therapy for ED is the use of medicines to increase the blood flow in the penis (most often). These medications are PDE5 inhibitors. These enzyme inhibitors inhibit an enzyme’s degradative action on cyclic GMP. As a result, smooth muscles of blood vessels dilate, facilitating erection. Here are some common PDE5 inhibitors:

• Cialis
• Sildenafil Citrate (Viagra)
• Tadalafil Tablets
• Avanafil

These are some well-known brands of ED Medications that are being sold over the counter after the doctor’s prescription. Remember that you must consult your doctor before choosing a medicine for you. Only he will prescribe a medicine after knowing your medical history and condition.

Adjustment of Medicines

Another medical intervention is the adjustment of the current medicines you are using, which may disturb your sexual performance; it can also be effective in getting harder erections.

Note: These Erectile Dysfunction medicines boost your performance when you are already sexually aroused and don’t cause erections on their own.

2. Injections

The ED medications may not be suitable for everyone, especially for people using particular heart and blood pressure medicines. The safe option for them is penile injection therapy. 

They also help in the recovery of Erectile Dysfunction by improving blood flow to the penis. While this may sound intimidating to inject a needle into a penis, it’s effective and fast acting (takes 5-15 minutes) therapy (proved by a review in 2019).

The main drugs for Injection therapy are the following:

1. Aviptadil
2. Papaverine
3. Phentolamine

Note: The FDA has not yet approved these for penile injections.

3. Alprostadil Suppositories

Suppository medications can also be a viable alternative for you to have enhanced sexual performance. It may be in the form of drugs or the form of creams. With the help of a unique device, urethral suppositories are inserted into the urethra.

4. Penis Pumps

It is a device that helps in getting and maintaining an erection by creating a vacuum around the penis. This suction encourages blood to flow into it. It’s a plastic tube into which the penis is inserted and once erect you can place a constriction ring over the base to keep blood inside. 

Penis pump is generally considered safe and can be used in combination with other medicines. Only use those pumps approved for ED by the FDA, and consider some side effects before using them.

5. Testosterone Replacement

Men experience ED sometimes because of their low testosterone, a male hormone. For specifically these patients Testosterone replacement therapy is the best option among Therapies for ED. 

It is prescribed by your healthcare provider only if your hormone level is the root cause of ED. It’s crucial to note that if your testosterone levels are normal, this won’t benefit you.

6 Surgical Treatments

It is a therapy when you are facing ED because of problems related to this organ. However, it’s the last option to consider by ED doctors because of some concerns. It can be satisfactory when other treatments have been unsuccessful in improving ED.

Implant

The inflatable implant consists of surgically inserting two cylinders into the penis and a pump in the scrotum that inflate these cylinders when you sequester it. The expansion of cylinders causes an erection. It is one of the most expensive therapies for erectile dysfunction.

Arterial Repair Therapy

There are procedures to repair clogged blood vessels that are causing improper blood flow into your penis. Doctors only go for this option when other options are not working; in general, it is not recommended.

7. Psychological Counseling and Lifestyle Changes

Many times ED is due to poor mental health. Studies have shown the relation between depression, and anxiety with more chances of ED. The chemical imbalance due to stress causes the inability to maintain an erection. Hence combination therapies for ED bring the best results so far.

Changing Habits 

These include changing bad habits and adopting a healthier lifestyle such as exercising (which improves blood flow), avoiding alcohol and smoking, and having better sleep patterns. Men should seek therapies to manage stress, which will enhance their overall quality of life and, ultimately, ED.

Conclusion

Men often feel embarrassed to talk about Erectile Dysfunction but it should be a comfort to know that it’s a pretty common condition. There are many available therapies for erectile dysfunction treatment. 

Doctors begin with oral medications and if these don’t work he would recommend ED injections or penis pumps and even surgical options. The holistic approach involves a combination of drugs and lifestyle changes. Always seek medical help to regain your sexual confidence.

Reference

• https://www.healthline.com/health/new-ed-treatments#current-ed-treatments
• https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/erectile-dysfunction/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20355782
• https://neurolaunch.com/ed-therapy/