Erectile Dysfunction treatments have come a long way in the 14 years since Viagra hit the market. There are now surgical, therapeutic and even do-it-yourself remedies that can help.
Sildenafil (Viagra) and tadalafil (Cialis) have the longest track record of success for treating ED. They work by increasing blood flow to the penis, helping an erection last longer for satisfying sex.
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Penile Injections
Medications that are inject into the penis, like papaverine, phentolamine or prostaglandin E1 (Caverject, Edex or MUSE) have been found to be highly effective for men with erectile dysfunction. This treatment is especially useful for men whose ED can’t be treated by oral medications.
To inject the medication, grasp the head of the penis with one hand. Use the other to pick up the syringe. Then, wipe the injection site with alcohol again and carefully insert the needle into the middle of the penis at either the 10 o’clock or 2 o’clock position (see Figure 3). Inserting the needle quickly minimizes discomfort caused by needle insertion. Gently massaging the penis with your thumb and finger helps distribute the medicine. This is important to prevent a blood blister or haematoma at the injection site.
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Vacuum Pumps
A vacuum pump is a small device that looks like a bottle that you place over your penis. It creates a suction that pulls blood into the penis, creating an erection. It is easy to use and has high levels of patient satisfaction.
Unlike other erectile dysfunction treatments, it doesn’t have a risk of side effects or complications. However, you shouldn’t use it if you have a bleeding disorder or take anticoagulants. Fildena 100 and Fildena 150 are best medicines to treat erectile dysfunction in men.
To use a penile pump (also known as a vacuum erection device or VED), you apply lubrication and then insert your penis into the tube attached to the device. After a few pumps, your penis becomes engorged and a tension ring keeps an erection in place during sexual intercourse. You can remove the ring after you are done with your partner.
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Penile Implants
Men who are unable to achieve an erection with oral medications or vacuum pumps may be good candidates for penile implants. They are also use to treat severe cases of a condition that causes scarring in the penis (Peyronie’s disease).
Your doctor will give you a physical exam, examine your genitals and prostate, and get a urine sample before determining whether an implant is right for you. Your doctor will also review your medical history to see what might be causing your ED.
Inflatable penile prostheses involve surgically putting two inflatable cylinders in the penis with a saline reservoir, pump and release valve. The cylinders can be inflat when needed to produce an erection. The device doesn’t affect the head of the penis (glans) and a valve moves the cylinders back to their normal position when sexual activity is over.
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Oral Medications
Medications that enhance the effects of nitric oxide — which occurs naturally during sexual stimulation but isn’t enough to get an erection — are the most widely use treatment for ED. These drugs, including sildenafil (Viagra), tadalafil (Cialis) and vardenafil (Levitra), work by improving blood flow to the penis during sexual activity.
Oral medications don’t automatically produce an erection and don’t act as aphrodisiacs, so men should discuss their expectations and preferences with their doctor before starting these ED medicines. Those who take medications to treat heart disease or other conditions shouldn’t use these drugs, as they can cause a dangerous drop in blood pressure.
A urologist at NYU Langone can teach you to self-inject alprostadil with a fine needle in the office and provide syringes for home injections. You might also be able to find help with a combination medication that contains both alprostadil and another PDE5 inhibitor, such as tadalafil/VIAGRA or IC351.
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Exercise
Ultimately, exercise is the most effective erectile dysfunction treatment because it works to increase blood flow throughout your body. Aerobic exercises such as running, swimming and cycling increase your heart rate and help to keep your blood vessels healthy and maximize the amount of blood that reaches your penis.
In addition, exercise can also help to lower your risk of developing underlying health conditions like heart disease and high blood pressure. These conditions are know to be major causes of ED, so making sure to regularly participate in aerobic exercise can significantly reduce your likelihood of experiencing this condition.
The most targeted exercise for erectile dysfunction is call the pelvic floor muscle exercise, more commonly known as the “kegel” exercise. These are done by identifying and strengthening your pelvic muscles, and can be performed anywhere and at any time.
What form of ED therapy works the best?
PDE type-5 inhibitors are medications that boost penile blood flow. These are the only oral treatments for ED that have received FDA approval in the United States. Men with ED should take these tablets one to two hours prior to having intercourse for the greatest outcomes.
What ED medication works the fastest?
Avanafil, a more recent drug used to treat ED, is less likely than earlier drugs to have some adverse effects. According to research found in the Journal of Urology, avanafil begins to function as soon as 15 minutes after administration, making it the fastest-acting treatment for ED at the moment.