The first step in treating Erectile Dysfunction is a physical exam. Your doctor may also ask questions and take a blood test to check for underlying health problems that can cause or worsen ED, such as diabetes and heart disease.
Medications that promote blood flow to the penis can help, but they won’t work if your ED is caused by anxiety or relationship problems. Your doctor may recommend sex therapy or counseling from mental health professionals.
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Alprostadil Injections
Alprostadil, which is also known as prostaglandin E1, works well for about 70 percent of men with ED. It is a vasodilator, meaning it makes blood vessels expand, which helps you get an erection. You can receive this ED treatment through an intracavernous injection or as a suppository that you place into your urethra.
You can self-administer these injections at home after two visits to the doctor’s office, where you learn how to use them. The injections can also be combined with tadalafil (Cialis), which makes them more effective.
Before you begin your injections, tell your doctor about any other medications or supplements that you take. This includes vitamins and nutritional supplements, herbs, and prescription or nonprescription drugs. These can affect how well the ED medication works or cause side effects.
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Penile Implants
If medications don’t work for you, a surgical procedure might help. Doctors insert malleable or inflatable rods into the penis. One type of implant has flexible, semi-rigid cylinders that some describe as looking like a gooseneck lamp. These bend outward for sex or back toward the body to be concealed under clothing. The other has a pump hidden in the scrotum that pumps fluid into the cylinders to create an erection.
Your doctor might also do a blood test or urine tests (urinalysis) to look for signs of diabetes and other health problems that could be causing your erectile dysfunction. Occasionally, doctors also do a psychological exam to screen for depression or other psychological causes of ED. Be prepared to answer questions about your family history and other medical conditions.
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Oral Medication
Men with mild to moderate ED can get an erection by taking oral medications such as Viagra, Cialis or Levitra. These pills don’t work as aphrodisiacs but amplify the natural signal that causes the release of nitric oxide, enabling a penis to form an erection when sexual stimulation occurs.
Newer phosphodiesterase inhibitors are being developed that work even faster and last longer than the pills we use now. A new type of alprostadil that you rub on the skin instead of injecting or swallowing is also in development.
To lower the risk of ED, doctors may recommend lifestyle changes, such as increasing physical activity and eating healthfully. They may also recommend counseling or therapy. In some cases, they’ll point out emotional issues that contribute to ED and recommend treatment such as cognitive behavior sex therapy (CBST). These therapies help reduce anxiety about sexual intimacy.
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Exercise
Medications can be effective, but so can exercise. Studies have shown that exercise helps to improve blood flow and increase testosterone levels. It also lowers stress, which can contribute to ED. Cenforce 100 and Cenforce 200 are best medicines to treat erectile dysfunction in men.
A physical exam and questions about your medical history can help determine if you have a condition that is contributing to your ED. For example, diabetes can interfere with erections and high blood pressure medications can cause a loss of sensation in the penis.
Your doctor may recommend a healthy diet and weight loss to help reduce your risk of erectile dysfunction. He or she may also suggest a change in your lifestyle to include regular exercise and avoiding alcohol, cigarettes and drugs that can interfere with erections. Mental health support can also be helpful in some cases.
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Mental Health Support
Medications that increase blood flow to the penis can’t help when emotional problems are the cause, such as fears of rejection or anxiety from past sexual trauma. In some cases, addressing these issues can alleviate erectile dysfunction in addition to treating the physical causes.
Generally speaking, mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) encompasses any form of care that helps people protect or promote their psychological well-being. It can include a wide range of support, from psychotherapy and social work to family and community initiatives.
For example, some communities have started using peer support workers (PSWs) to provide mental health services. Research has found that PSWs can add valuable perspective to a person’s treatment by helping them feel understood. This type of peer support can be particularly helpful in low-resource settings.
