Medical treatment for Erectile dysfunction.

By allen watkin from London, UK - Viagra, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia

Erectile dysfunction (ED) occurs when a man is unable to have or sustain an erection enough for sexual intercourse.

According to research, the illness affects roughly one-third of men. Sadly, men dont open up until it becomes really bad.

In this article, I will be talking about treatment options as regards erectile dysfunction.

Who treats erectile dysfunction

The medical specialist who treats ED will be determined by the etiology of the problem. Your doctor may prescribe oral drugs based on your medical history which includes family history.
If these treatments fail, you may be referred to a urologist, who can help with non-surgical options including vacuum devices or injections, as well as surgical treatment choices.
If necessary, your doctor may refer you to a sexual dysfunction psychologist. It is worth noting that erectile dysfunction was once commonly thought to be a psychological condition.

Oral drugs

Most men with erectile dysfunction do well with oral medications.. They oral medications commonly include

• Sildenafil (Viagra)
• Tadalafil(Adcirca, Cialis)
• Avanafil
• Vardenafil

The one I have come in contact with is viagra.

These four drugs potentiate the effects of nitric oxide, a natural substance produced by the body and relaxes penile muscles and most smooth muscles in the body. This increases blood flow, leading to erection in response to sexual stimulation..

Taking one of these tablets will not result in an erection. Sexual stimulation is required first to stimulate nitric oxide release from your penile nerves. These drugs increase that signal, allowing some people to resume normal penile function.

Oral erectile dysfunction drugs are not aphrodisiacs, do not produce excitement, and are unnecessary in men who have normal erections. However, a lot of these drugs are been abused for this misunderstood reason.

The drugs differ in dosage, duration of action, and side effects.
Flushing which is due to increase in blood flow to the periphery is a common side effect of these drugs., Nasal congestion and headache have also been observed to be a common side effect too. Occasionally, a few people experience vision disturbances and backache although there is no concrete explanation for these effects.
A very rare complication is stomach upset.

It is important to consult with your doctor when you observe symptoms of Erectile dysfunction.

Get your doctor's approval before using any erectile dysfunction medication, including over-the-counter vitamins and natural therapies. Erectile dysfunction medications do not work for everyone and may be less successful in some circumstances, such as after prostate surgery or if you have diabetes.

Self-injection of alprostadil

This procedure is getting common as it involves injecting alprostadil (Caverject, Edex) into the base or side of the penis using a small needle like the needles used for insulin injection..
Mild bleeding from the injection, extended erection (priapism), and, in rare cases, fibrous tissue growth at the injection site are all possible side effects.

Urethral suppository of alprostadil.

Intraurethral alprostadil (Muse) therapy is inserting a small alprostadil suppository into your penis in the penile urethra. You put the suppository into your penile urethra with a specific applicator.

The erection normally begins within 10 minutes and lasts between 30 and 60 minutes when it is effective. Side effects may include a burning sensation in the penis, mild urethral bleeding, and the growth of fibrous tissue inside your penis.

Testosterone replacement therapy

Some people suffer from erectile dysfunction, which may be increased or worsened by low testosterone levels. In this scenario, testosterone replacement therapy may be prescribed as the first step or in conjunction with other treatments.

The penis pumps.
A penis pump (vacuum erection gadget) is a hollow tube that contains a hand- or battery-powered pump. The tube is put over your penis, and the pump is used to suck the air out of the tube. This in turn produces a vacuum which gets blood into the penis.

When you acquire an erection, you wrap a tension ring around the base of your penis to keep the blood in and the erection solid. The vacuum device is then removed.

Typically, the erection lasts long enough for a couple to have intercourse. After intercourse, you remove the tension ring. Bruising of the penis is a possible adverse effect, and the band will inhibit ejaculation.

If a penile pump is an appropriate therapy option for you, your doctor may suggest or prescribe a specific model. That way, you can be certain that it meets your requirements and is manufactured by a reliable company.
This is why people who use condoms tend to last longer in bed.

Mechanical assistance

Some men use erectile aids such as suction devices and penile constriction rings.

A vacuum constriction device is a cylinder worn over the penis. A mechanism in which air from the cylinder is forced out, pushing blood into the penis and causing an erection. The erection is kept by slipping a band from the cylinder's base and onto the base of the penis. The band can be worn for up to 30 minutes. Most causes of erectile dysfunction can be safely treated with the vacuum device. Patients' main problems appear to be a lack of spontaneity, pain, and the device's bulk.

If drugs aren't working or aren't suited for you, your doctor may suggest a different treatment. Other therapies include:

The penis pumps. A penis pump (vacuum erection gadget) is a hollow tube that contains a hand- or battery-powered pump. The tube is put over your penis, and the pump is used to suck the air out of the tube. This in turn produces a vacuum which gets blood into the penis.

When you acquire an erection, you wrap a tension ring around the base of your penis to keep the blood in and the erection solid. The vacuum device is then removed.

Typically, the erection lasts long enough for a couple to have intercourse. After intercourse, you remove the tension ring. Bruising of the penis is a possible adverse effect, and the band will inhibit ejaculation.

If a penile pump is an appropriate therapy option for you, your doctor may suggest or prescribe a specific model. That way, you can be certain that it meets your requirements and is manufactured by a reliable company.

Implants for the penis:

Penile Implants By HovhannesKarapetyan - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia

This procedure entails surgically implanting devices on both sides of the penis. These implants are made using inflated or flexible (bendable) rods. You can manage when and how long you get an erection with inflatable devices. The pliable rods support your penis while allowing it to bend.

Penile implants are usually not indicated unless all other options have been exhausted. A higher report of satisfaction has been reported among those who use implant after trying all the conservative methods. Complications, such as infection, are possible with any surgery. If you have a urinary tract infection, you should avoid having penile implant surgery.

I guess that will be all for now. In my next post, I will be talking about viagra in details and the indications and side effects.

Thank you for reading.

References

• Mayo clinic
• cleveland clinic
• Healthline