Treatment and Correction of Erectile Dysfunction

Good news to start with: Erectile dysfunction can be treated, and the success rate of treatment is very high nowadays. There are several ways to treat patients with erectile dysfunction:

• Orally administered medications that increase blood flow to the erectile tissues
• Vacuum (pressure) pump
• Application of medications into the urethra
• Injection of the active substance into the erectile tissues
• Treatment with shock waves
• Surgical solution - insertion of a permanent implant

We will familiarize ourselves with each treatment method below.

Because erectile dysfunction can be a symptom of a more serious condition (such as ischemic heart disease, diabetes, etc.), it is recommended that along with examination by a urologist, the patient should also be examined by a specialist in internal medicine. If a more serious problem is found during internal examination, it is necessary to treat this condition first and then proceed to treat erectile dysfunction.

During the examination, the doctor focuses on finding the cause of the condition. Causes can be organic, which are the most common, or psychogenic. The most common cause of erectile dysfunction is a disorder of the supplying arteries, metabolic, and neurological diseases. More in the article: What to Expect During a Doctor's Visit.

If you do not yet feel ready to visit a doctor and want to try self-help with freely available means first, there are solutions for you too. Vacuum pumps and some erectile support preparations are available without a prescription (see below). However, it is always necessary to obtain detailed information about the specific product and its contraindications.

Treatment of Erectile Disorders

1. Medications

The cornerstone of treatment involves administering medications capable of increasing blood flow to the erectile tissues. The most well-known drugs for treating erectile dysfunction contain the active ingredients sildenafil, tadalafil, vardenafil, or avanafil, which differ in onset speed and duration of action. The most well-known of these are Viagra Generics (active ingredient sildenafil) and Cialis Generics (active ingredient tadalafil). Most of these drugs are available only by prescription. However, similar drugs with the same active ingredients can be found online without a prescription.

Caution! These drugs cannot be combined with nitrates used to treat ischemic heart disease. Concurrent use of these drugs can have fatal consequences.

The above-mentioned drugs increase blood flow in the erectile tissues. Erotic stimulation is necessary to achieve an erection. The use of the drug alone without erotic stimulation will not induce an erection.

2. Vacuum Pumps

Vacuum (pressure) pumps are freely available devices capable of mechanically inducing an erection. They can be obtained from online or brick-and-mortar stores selling erotic goods (sex shops).

By placing the penis into the cylinder and subsequently pumping out the air, a vacuum is created, resulting in an erection. When removing the pump from the penis, an erection ring is placed around the penis.

By placing a plastic (silicone) erection ring at the base of the penis, blood flow out of the penis is prevented, thus preventing it from becoming flaccid. A doctor or well-trained seller of erotic aids can advise on the selection and use of the pump.

3. Application of Medications into the Urethra

One treatment option for erectile dysfunction is the insertion of prostaglandin E1 (alprostadil) into the urethra using an applicator. This method of treatment has been found to be relatively ineffective (only 65% effective) and expensive. It is therefore not used very often.

4. Injection of the Active Substance into the Erectile Tissues

This method of treatment (also called intracavernosal therapy) is more effective than urethral application. By injecting prostaglandin into the penis, smooth muscle relaxation in the blood vessels occurs, increasing blood flow and resulting in an erection within 10 to 15 minutes, even without erotic stimulation.

The suitability of injection application, method of administration, and possible side effects should be discussed with a doctor

5. Treatment Using Shock Waves

This treatment involves the application of low-energy shock waves using a probe placed on the area beneath the testicles. Shock waves help increase blood flow in the penis and regenerate blood vessels. The treatment is painless and performed by a specialist doctor - a urologist or andrologist.

6. Treatment with Penile Implants

If medication or intracavernosal injections are not effective, a doctor may suggest a surgical solution to the problem. The solution involves inserting a penile implant (prosthesis) into the erectile tissues of the penis. The implant can be either semi-rigid (semi-hard) or inflatable. Detailed information about the effects, benefits, and risks will be provided by a specialist doctor.

The path to a firm erection may be short and direct, or longer and winding. However, it is definitely worth pursuing. Health is the most valuable thing we have. Its integral part is sexual health, which contributes to a quality and happy life. Let's live it!

Author: Jason Smith

Sources: 
https://www.medscape.com/answers/444220-69973/what-is-the-role-of-medicated-urethral-system-for-erections-muse-in-the-treatment-of-erectile-dysfunction-ed
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intracavernous_injection
https://patients.uroweb.org/en/intracavernous-injection/