According to the National Institutes of Health, it is estimated that about 30 million of men suffer from erectile dysfunction (ED), making it a very common complaint among males, especially as they age. ED is a cause of distress for many of the sufferers and their partners and there is always an interest in finding remedies to reverse it. As medical research advances, men now have more options than ever, such as penile injections, focused shockwave therapy for ED, or botox for ED, to lead better sex lives in their golden years.
But before we delve into this important topic, what does ED stand for? What causes it? And to answer the question, what are the most current treatments that can help men enjoy better quality erections? Here are some updates.
Erectile Dysfunction Defined
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a condition in which you are unable to start or keep an erection rigid enough for satisfactory sexual intercourse or penetrative sex. ED can be a short-term or long-term problem.
How Do You Know If You Have ED?
- Erections are more difficult to start
- Erections become more difficult to maintain for the duration of the sexual activity
- You can get an erection sometimes, but not every time you want to have sexual activity
- You can get an erection, but it goes away before the sexual activity has finished
- Once you lose the erection, it is very difficult or impossible to get it back during the specific sexual act
- Your erections have become unreliable, meaning, you get them sometimes but not others or you get a full erection and then lose it
- You are unable to get an erection at any time
Although ED is very common, it does not have to be a normal part of aging. Moreover, ED could be a sign of a more serious health problem so you should check with your healthcare provider as soon as you notice that there’s something different about your erections.
Book here an initial consultation with our male sex therapists, sex surrogates, and clinical sexologists at our men’s health clinic in Plano, Irving, and Dallas to explore ED and the right treatment for you.
What Can Cause Erectile Dysfunction?
There are a variety of potential causes of erectile dysfunction. This includes:
- Aging
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Diabetes
- Cardiovascular disease
- Obesity
- Pelvic trauma, such as from radiation or surgery
- Nerve dysfunction
- Brain or spinal injuries
- Abnormal hormone levels
- Medications
- Smoking
- Drinking
- Emotional issues, such as depression, anxiety, or stress
- Relationship problems
For some men, ED may be an early warning sign of increased risk for cardiovascular disease, so if you are experiencing ED, speak with your doctor right away. Another thing to consider is that ED gets progressively worse if left untreated. If you notice a change in the quality of your erections, take action immediately. Contact our ED therapists here.
What Are The Best Treatments For ED?
- Medications: In the US, the most commonly prescribed treatment is phosphodiesterase type-5 inhibitors. The four PDE5 inhibitors available are sildenafil (Viagra, Pfizer), vardenafil (Levitra and Staxyn, Bayer/GlaxoSmithKline), tadalafil (Cialis, Eli Lilly), and avanafil (Stendra, Vivus). These medications promote blood flow, so it’s easier to get and maintain an erection. The success rate of pills is about 76%.
- Penile Injection therapy: If oral PDE-5 inhibitors are not successful, penile injections of papaverine, which is an alpha-blocker and vasodilator, may be next in line. This papaverine injection can be self-administered on demand. Penile injections for growth are effective and act quickly.
- Vacuum erection device: A non-surgical option is an external vacuum device, also known as a penile pump. This is placed over the penis to create pressure and pull blood into the penis. A penile ring is put at the base of the penis to keep the blood in and keep the penis erect. To learn more about the effects of a penile pump before and after, call our sex specialists at Texas Sexual Health.
- Penile implants: When other treatments are not successful or viable, a penile implant may be a great alternative. An inflatable prosthesis is inserted into the penis, a small pump is inserted in the scrotum and the individual squeezes it to create an erection. There are inflatable and malleable prostheses. Penile implants cost vary according to the type of prostheses, book an appointment to learn more.
Novel Treatments With Promise
Shock Wave Therapy (Wave Therapy for ED)
Focused shockwave therapy for ED has been around for decades. It is often used for kidney stones and orthopedic injuries. In the last decade, SWT has been used to treat ED.
Wave Therapy for ED is considered a regenerative therapy with long-lasting effects. It is still considered an experimental treatment option, as there is data to support its efficacy, but research is ongoing.
Learn more about ED Shockwave Therapy here.
Botox for ED
Some evidence suggests that injecting botulinum toxin A (BTX-A IC) into the penis, as an adjunct to PDE5 inhibitors or intracavernosal injections could effectively treat ED in non-responders or insufficient responders to medication.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment
According to research, the use of hyperbaric oxygen treatment (HBOT) for ED appears to be promising. While further research is needed, preliminary studies have shown encouraging results in terms of improving erectile function in men with vasculogenic ED.
Red Light Therapy On Penis
Full body or localized red light for penis therapy may work to reverse ED. It increases blood flow and production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the source of energy for use and storage at the cellular level. This makes more energy available to blood cells and , in full body treatments, may increase the production of testosterone while reducing fatigue.
The most important thing to remember if you are suffering from ED is to take action quickly. You may find it embarrassing and difficult to talk about ED; however, sexual health is an important part of health and a healthy sex life can improve your quality of life.