Erectile Dysfunction: Choosing Optimal Method of Treatment

Erectile dysfunction is curable. In most cases, your urologist can offer several treatments, of which you and your partner should decide which method suits you.

Methods of Treatment

Sex Therapy

A significant number of men have a psychological cause of erectile dysfunction, which is treatable. Even with the elimination of physiological causes, subsequent problems associated with self-esteem can continue to weakening of normal erectile function. Skilled physicians (for example, sex therapists, psychotherapists) work with couples to reduce tension, improve sexual relationships and to create realistic expectations of sexual relations that can improve erectile function.

Tableted Medicines

Tablets that are used to treat erectile dysfunction symptoms are selective inhibitors of enzymes (sildenafil – Viagra, vardenafil – Levitra, tadalafil – Cialis).

Preparations for Injections

This method is used in the absence of the effect of pills. Patient, using a short needle, injects special preparation directly into cavernous bodies on the lateral surface of the penis, after which erection lasting from 30 minutes to several hours can occur.

Intraurethral Suppositories

Intraurethral suppositories are an alternative method of intracavernous injections. Patient, using a special instrument in meatus (external opening of the urethra) inserts prostaglandin suppositories. Through the mucous membrane of urethra, prostaglandin is absorbed into erectile tissues. This drug is available on a doctor’s prescription, well tolerated by patients and improves erectile function in 60% of cases.

Vacuum Devices

These are hand devices leading penis into erection state. The penis is inserted into a plastic tube, which is pressed against the body to seal the tube cavity. A hand pump attached to the tube is used to create a vacuum that draws blood into the penis, causing the penis to become filled. After 1 – 3 minutes, an adequate erection is created in a vacuum. The penis is removed from the tube and a soft rubber ring is placed around the base of the penis to entrap blood and maintain the erection until the ring is removed. The ring can be left for 25 – 30 minutes.

Penile Implants

Penile implants (plastic or inflatable tubes) are inserted into the penis by surgical method. Semi-rigid prostheses are flexible metal tubes coated with the silicon layer. After insertion, implants provide sufficient firmness which is necessary for sexual intercourse. It is also possible to slightly bend penis to conceal erection. Introduction of prostheses is a simple surgical intervention. The main disadvantage is that when wearing some types of clothes, concealing erection can be difficult.

Reconstructive Vascular Surgery

To improve blood flow to the penis, only a small percentage of men resort to the method of surgical vascular reconstruction. Principle of the surgery is to create a new blood flow pathway for blocked veins or arteries of the penis: in particular, creating a connection with veins of the thigh to bypass blocked part. After this intervention, the sexual function of men is restored in 50 to 70% of cases. However, it must be remembered that vascular surgery is associated with a high risk of recurrence, and therefore, even after vascular surgery, your doctor may offer endoprosthetics.

Information for Patients

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is characterized by the inability of a man to achieve or maintain an erection sufficient for his sexual needs or needs of his partner. Most men experience such moments during life, more often after 40 years, which, as a rule, is not taken seriously psychologically.

Some men, however, experience chronic, full erectile dysfunction (impotence), and others, partial or short erection loss. Frequent erectile dysfunction can cause emotional problems and relationship problems, and lead to a decrease in self-esteem. Many causes can lead to erectile dysfunction, most of which are curable, and erectile dysfunction is not an inevitable consequence of aging.