Erectile dysfunction (ED) happens when a man has ongoing problems getting and keeping an erection. Without treatment, ED can make sex difficult. The problem is reported by 1 in 5 men, and that number gets bigger with age.
Many supplements and alternative therapies are marketed to help men with ED. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warns that these products may contain potentially harmful drugs, contaminated formulations, or unknown dosages of pharmacologically active medications. They can also interact with other medications you take.
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Psychotherapy can be beneficial for men with erectile dysfunction even when erectile dysfunction has a known physical cause. The therapist can instruct the man and his partner in techniques to reduce performance anxiety and improve intimacy. Therapy can also help couples adjust to the use of vacuum devices and implants. Erectile Dysfunction Treatment: Alternative Therapies
Blood tests, for example, the hemoglobin A1c test (A1c test) and urinalysis can diagnose the type of diabetes the person has. Diabetes during pregnancy, called gestational diabetes, should be managed by you and your OB/GYN or another healthcare professional.
The pulsating waves of GAINSWave improves blood flow to the penis by dissolving plaque build-up and stimulating the growth of new blood vessels. The improvement results in stronger, harder, and more sustainable erections.
Several medications can interfere with the chemical processing of PDE5i medications by the liver. These can include ketoconazole (an antifungal medication known by the brand name Nizoral), erythromycin (an antibiotic), and cimetidine (also known as Tagamet, for reducing stomach acid). A lower dose of PDE5i medications should be used if one is taking any of these medications.
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Sexual dysfunction and ED become more common as you get older. Only about 5% of men age 40 have it. But the number rises to 15% of men age 70. This doesn’t mean growing older is the end of your sex life. Doctors can treat ED no matter your age. Age isn’t the only cause. Type 2 diabetes, obesity, smoking, and high blood pressure all make it more likely.
Injections Some medicines can be injected or placed inside the penis to help create an erection.Testosterone Your doctor may recommend that you take this hormone if your levels are low.Devices and Surgery
The causes of primary premature ejaculation are often psychological, such as having a traumatic sexual experience at an early age.
If ED comes from a blocked artery leading to the penis, surgery can restore blood flow. The procedure usually works best on men under 30. Doctors don’t recommend it for older men with widespread narrowing of the arteries.
David F Mobley1, Mohit Khera2, Neil Baum3 1 Department of Urology, Weill-Cornell Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA 2 Department of Urology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA 3 Department of Urology, Tulane Medical School, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA Correspondence to Dr David F Mobley, Department of Urology, Weill-Cornell Medicine, 18300 Katy Fwy, Ste 325, Houston 77094, TX, USA; mobleyresearch{at}gmail.com
The recreational drug ‘poppers’ should not be used with any erectile dysfunction medications as this could result in a potentially fatal drop in blood pressure.
The pulsating waves of GAINSWave improves blood flow to the penis by dissolving plaque build-up and stimulating the growth of new blood vessels. The improvement results in stronger, harder, and more sustainable erections.
Injections Some medicines can be injected or placed inside the penis to help create an erection.Testosterone Your doctor may recommend that you take this hormone if your levels are low.Devices and Surgery
In general, psychologically-based ED is more likely to develop suddenly with complete, immediate loss of function. This problem may be present most of the time or only in certain situations. These men will often still have erections upon awakening.
Only a small subset of men with ED benefit from vascular testing, which can identify specific arterial or venous dysfunction amenable to surgical reconstruction. For the vast majority, such testing is unlikely to change management strategy. Thus, specialized testing is now limited to PDE-I non-responders, young men with post-traumatic or primary ED, men with Peyronie’s Disease, and legal investigations.