In the 14 years or so since Viagra was introduced in 1998, the number of men diagnosed with erectile dysfunction (ED) has increased by a whopping 250 percent. Men are realizing more and more that they’re not alone and that they have options. Aside from pills like Viagra, Levitra, and Cialis, for example, there are surgical, therapeutic, even do-it-yourself treatments that can bring back that lovin’ feeling. "Some older ED treatments are actually being used more than ever, especially for men who can't take the pill," says Michael Feloney, MD, a urologist at the Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha. Read on to find out about nine common remedies for ED, plus the truth about which ones live up to the hype and which fall flat.
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New research suggests that you might be able to reverse erectile dysfunction without medication.
The key to all of this is the endothelium, the inner lining of blood vessels that helps blood flow smoothly. Regular exercise has been shown to improve the way the endothelium works. The endothelium lines the blood vessels in the heart and the penis, explains Dr. Hellstrom, but the blood vessels in the penis are about one-third the size of those in the heart. So if you fail to have erections due to vascular problems, that indicates that you’re at risk for heart problems as well.
Some commonly prescribed cardiovascular drugs (beta-blockers, diuretics, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, etc.) contribute to ED.18 Previous studies have shown a strong association between ED and diuretics in patients treated with hydrochlorothiazide or chlorthalidone.19,20 It has also been shown that patients treated with first-generation non-selective beta-blockers, such as propranolol, had more frequent ED than those treated with a placebo.21
Your urine will normally be tested to see whether it contains sugar (which might indicate diabetes), or blood (which may be a sign of infection or require further investigation).
Though you're the one with ED, your partner is also affected. Talking openly about ED will help your partner understand the diagnosis and treatment options. This can reassure them that you haven't lost interest.
If you have high blood pressure you are at risk of developing life threatening diseases like stroke and heart attack.
We will create a personalized treatment plan to help you restore sexual function and achieve an intimate relationship with your partner.
MedicineNet does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. See additional information. sexual health center/sexual health a-z list/erectile dysfunction ed impotence center /erectile dysfunction (ed, impotence) article Erectile Dysfunction (ED, Impotence) Medical Author: Pamela I. Ellsworth, MD Medical Editor: Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD
Some men may be able to gain an erection by self-injecting drugs into the penis, causing it to become engorged with blood. The advantage of injection therapy that it can easily be self-administered and in most patients leads to a strong erection when given the right dose. Potential side effects of injection therapy include: fibrosis (scarring) and long-lasting painful erections. Injections are shown to have a long-term dropout rate of about 37% – 76%. Reasons for dropping out of drug therapy include: Desire for a permanent treatment alternative Inadequate response Return of spontaneous erections Fear of needles Concern over side effects
Aetna considers surgical correction of Peyronie’s disease (e.g., plaque excisions and venous graft patching, tunica plication, Nesbit tuck procedure) medically necessary for the treatment of members with Peyronie's disease for 12 or more months with significant morbidity who have failed conservative medical treatment. Surgical correction of Peyronie's disease is considered experimental and investigational when criteria are not met.
Currently, there are no therapies that cure erectile dysfunction. However, a number of effective therapies are available that allow an individual to have an erection when desired. Depending on the cause of the erectile dysfunction, certain therapies may be more effective than others. Although there is limited data on lifestyle modification, intuitively, decreasing risk factors for erectile dysfunction may help prevent progression of disease.
You might need other tests to check for underlying issues or to further assess your condition. These might include the following:
While ED is not life threatening, the condition may result in withdrawal from sexual intimacy, reduced quality of life, decreased working productivity, and increased healthcare utilization. Patterns of care may shift away from surgical and device therapies provided by urologists and toward pharmacologic treatments and/or multidisciplinary approaches. With men increasingly seeking to preserve sexual function and quality of life as they age, the treatment of ED will take on even greater importance in the years to come.
Premature ejaculation is the unwanted or uncontrollable early release of semen during sexual intercourse. While premature ejaculation is not considered a medical condition, it can have negative effects on a male’s self-confidence and can affect his sexual relationships.