What Treatments are Available for ED?

Erectile dysfunction, or ED, is the inability to achieve or maintain an erection adequate for sexual performance. ED affects more than 18% of men over age 20. It is especially common among older men, men with cardiovascular risk factors like high blood pressure, and men with diabetes. The good news is that there’s a wide range of treatment options available to help you manage this issue. Let’s explore each of the ED treatment options and see which ones might work for you. 

Lifestyle and dietary changes that can reduce ED

For some men, making some changes to their lifestyle and diet can make a huge difference in reducing their ED symptoms. Some of the changes you can make include.

• Diet: A healthy diet high in whole foods, vegetables, legumes, nuts, whole grains, and fish, but lower in processed and red meats and dairy products was found to correlate with a lower risk of ED.

• Exercise: Exercises that improve your circulation, such as aerobic exercises, were found in a study to improve erectile function in men. Always consult your doctor before starting an exercise program to make sure it is compatible with your health issues.

• Smoking: Smoking has been found to be damaging to the blood vessels, which can contribute to ED. 

• Alcohol: While lower amounts of alcohol intake were not related to increases in ED, high alcohol intake was found to increase the risk of ED. 

• Weight loss: In men who were overweight or obese, a study found that weight loss improved their erectile function and reduced the incidence of ED. 

Medications for ED

There are several erectile dysfunction pills that are approved for the treatment of ED. They are phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE-5) inhibitors, which work by increasing blood flow to the penis. These medications include:

• Sildenafil

• Tadalafil

• Vardenafil

• Avanafil

These medications must be prescribed by a licensed healthcare professional and used only under medical supervision. Some men may have health conditions or take other medications that could interact with these treatments, potentially causing serious side effects.

Psychotherapy as a treatment for ED

In some cases, anxiety, stress, depression, or relationship problems can lead to or worsen ED. In these situations, seeking treatment from a mental health professional or counseling such as couples counseling can help to treat ED if there are psychological causes. 

Vacuum erection devices

Vacuum erection devices are a non-invasive option for men who prefer not to use other treatment options. They work by using suction to bring blood into the penis to produce an erection. 

Penile suppositories

If oral medications are not something you want to take, then there are medications available in a suppository form which is inserted into the urethra (hole in the end of your penis). While these might be uncomfortable for some, they can be an effective option. 

Penile injections

Another option that is an alternative to medications and suppositories are injections. Alprostadil is an injectable medication that is injected into the penis to produce an erection. 

Penile implants

For more severe cases of ED that don’t respond to other treatment options, a penile implant can be surgically placed. A penile implant is an inflatable device that can be inflated or deflated when an erection is desired. 

The future of ED treatment

Research into new and innovative treatments for ED continue to progress, with many promising new treatments being developed such as stem cell therapy and other treatments that can improve ED intrinsically. These and other treatments will become available as they gain FDA approval. 

Talk to a healthcare professional about ED treatments

Erectile dysfunction is a common and treatable condition. If you are experiencing ED, reach out to your healthcare team to both figure out what the underlying causes are, and to develop a treatment plan that will work for you. With proper treatment, you can restore your confidence and have better, more enjoyable sex..