Medical Approaches To Treating Erectile Dysfunction: Pills, Injections, And Implants
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is an unfortunate condition that affects many men of all ages around the globe. Erectile dysfunction is defined as the inability to achieve or maintain an erection sufficient for satisfactory sexual performance. Luckily, however, many medical approaches have been developed that can help treat erectile dysfunction.
Medical Approaches to Erectile Dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction can have many causes. One of the first steps a medical professional will take is to try and establish the root cause of ED. ED can be caused by health problems. Obesity and erectile dysfunction have a strong relationship.
One medical approach to treating ED is to treat these root causes through lifestyle modifications such as diet and exercise. Both diet and exercise can help improve cardiovascular health and spur weight loss and work as natural remedies for erectile dysfunction.
Additionally, certain lifestyle factors such as excessive alcohol consumption and smoking have been linked to erectile dysfunction including erectile dysfunction in young adults. A healthcare provider may suggest reducing alcohol intake and quitting smoking as a means of treating erectile dysfunction.
Erectile dysfunction can also be caused by psychological factors such as depression and anxiety. A healthcare provider may suggest treatment for these psychological issues as a form of erectile dysfunction treatment.
However, lifestyle modifications may not always be enough to treat erectile dysfunction. One medical approach is Acoustic Wave Therapy for erectile dysfunction which increases blood flow to the penis.
Pills for Erectile Dysfunction
By far the most common and well know treatment for erectile dysfunction are oral medications taken in pill form. ED pills usually work well and cause few side effects. The four most common ED pills used are Avanafil (Stendra), Sildenafil (Viagra), Tadalafil (Cialis), and Vardenafil.
These medicines are known as PDE5 inhibitors and work by enhancing the effects of the naturally produced chemical nitric oxide. Nitric oxide relaxes the muscles in the penis thus increasing blood flow and helping you achieve and maintain an erection.
These medications work in essentially the same way but have slightly different chemical makeups that can affect how quickly they work, how long they work, and the possible side effects. Avanafil (Stendra) can take effect within 30 minutes and last for four or five hours depending on the severity of erectile dysfunction.
Sildenafil (Viagra) takes effect in about an hour and can last for four to five hours depending on the severity of erectile dysfunction. Tadalafil (Cialis) takes effect in about an hour and can work for up to 36 hours (about 1 and a half days).
It can also be taken in smaller or larger doses as needed. Vardenafil begins working in about an hour and can last for four to five hours depending on the severity of erectile dysfunction. Check with your doctor about the latest ED treatment.
Injection Therapies
Injection therapies are options often used when oral medications have been ineffective. The most common form of injection therapies are penile injections. A penile injection is an intravenous injection applied directly to the penis. The injection site is usually either lateral side of the penis. This works similarly to any other intramuscular injection such as an injection to the upper arm.
Penile injections work by causing the relaxation and expansion of the blood vessels, allowing for the proper blood flow to achieve and maintain an erection. The injection works quickly, often triggering an erection within five to ten minutes. Although the idea of injecting medication directly into the penis may sound unappealing, it has helped countless men treat their erectile dysfunction.
There may be some side effects to injection therapies such as mild bruising at the injection site, penile pain, or swelling at the injection site so consult with your doctor if any of these occur.
Penile Implants
Penile implants are another option used to treat erectile dysfunction and can help with erectile dysfunction in a relationship. Penile implants are created custom for you just like dentures and implants and are a surgically implanted device that helps you get an erection.
Penile implants come in two forms: inflatable and non-inflatable implants. An inflatable penile implant works by having two cylinders implanted in your penis connected to a fluid filled reservoir implanted into your lower abdomen.
The cylinders are connected to the reservoir by a pump in the scrotum. The pump is activated by pressing on it causing the cylinders to fill with liquid and creating an erection. The erection can last however long you like and can be stopped by pressing on a valve on the pump to return the fluid to the reservoir.
A non-inflatable implant consists of flexible rods implanted into the penis. To use the implant, you bend the rods into an erection and once finished you push it back down. The erection can last as long as you want, and the hardness does not change even after orgasm.
Schedule Your Appointment Today At Alpha Men’s Center
If you are suffering from erectile dysfunction, the team at Alpha Men’s Center are here to help. They will help you find the root cause of your erectile dysfunction and discuss latest erectile dysfunction treatment options. Contact Alpha Men’s Center by visiting their website or calling 484-685-1301 to schedule an appointment today.