Sometime in the late 1990’s, the world was shocked when they found out that Pfizer developed a drug that could cure every man’s erection problems. Yes, this was Viagra. The truth is, erectile dysfunction (ED) is a serious problem in a man’s world.
Erectile dysfunction is the inability to achieve and/or maintain an erection that is enough for sexual function. According to the Urology Care Foundation, an estimated 15 to 30 million men in America have ED, and not everyone is getting the treatment they need. Age, health issues, emotional problems and poor lifestyle are among the common causes of this condition.
The good news is, there is a cure. The medical field loves men so much that they came up with various treatments to address your condition down there. However, ED treatments vary depending on the cause and severity of your erectile dysfunction. Nonetheless, here are six treatments for your guy down south.
1. ED Drugs
Admit it. If you can’t get it up, the first thing that comes into your mind is Viagra. This is because it is the most common form of treatment when it comes to erection problems. Aside from Viagra, you could take any of the following:
- Sildenafil – Also known as Revatio.
- Tadalafil– Other names include Cialis and Adcirca.
- Avanafil– Goes by the name Stendra, too.
- Vardenafil– Other names include Staxyn and Levitra.
These ED drugs, also known as PDE5 inhibitors, work by boosting the effects of nitric oxide, a natural chemical that helps the blood vessels to dilate and relax your muscles down south. This will increase blood flow and help you get an erection, just in case the situation calls for it.
However, take note that taking the pills are not enough. In fact, the effects of the ED pills are not automatic. There must be sexual stimulation first to trigger your body to release nitric oxide from your penile nerves. Once there is enough supply, the effects of your chosen drug will kick in so you can say hello to your standing penis, ready for battle.
You might also experience side effects such as headaches, flushing, stomach upset, acid reflux and visual changes, among others. These are normal and may go away in time. Hence, it is imperative to take it easy on your doses. At the same time, make sure you are not taking nitrate drugs, blood thinners or blood pressure medications, as well as medication for heart disease and stroke. They are not friends with ED drugs, and the results may create more harm than good.
Here’s the bottom line: consult your doctor first before taking anything. Even if the FDA gave their go signal on these drugs, it doesn’t mean that they are safe. At the same time, some ED drugs might not work for you, hence the need to explore other options.
2. Alprostadil
In case you don’t believe in the effects of PDE5 inhibitors, or it didn’t work for you, or you don’t want to be bothered by those side effects, or you find the pills too much for your budget, then you can try Alprostadil. Other names for this substance are Caverject, Muse and Edex.
Alprostadil causes the smooth muscles to relax and increases blood flow down south to give you an erection. There are two ways you can get this treatment – by injecting it in your penis or by placing a suppository in the opening of your member.
In Alprostadil self-injections, you will use a fine needle to inject the drug into the base or side of your penis. This produces an erection that could last for an hour. You might also experience pain or a stinging sensation of the injection site. Don’t worry. This is only minor and you won’t even notice it during the act itself.
However, watch out for any side effects. This includes the formation of fibrous tissue on the injection site or bleeding. There is also a possibility of prolonged erections, or priapism. In case you noticed that your man doesn’t bow down in four hours, go to the nearest hospital right away.
On the other hand, you could go for the suppository version. The Alprostadil urethral suppository use a special applicator to facilitate the insertion of drug into your penile urethra. The erection starts within 10 minutes and could last 30 minutes to an hour. You might also experience minor bleeding in the urethra, as well as pain and the formation of fibrous tissues inside your member.
A piece of advice: take it easy on this treatment. Too much Alprostadil, regardless of your chosen form, could lead to scar tissue formation and make erectile function more painful.
3. Androgen Replacement Therapy
One of the reasons why men have trouble getting and maintaining an erection is because of low testosterone levels.
You already know that you need enough supply of T hormones to make sure that your reproductive system works properly. At the same time, this hormone is responsible for your manly features, energy levels and sex drive.
Therefore, low testosterone means your guy down there won’t be able to function well. This is where androgen or testosterone replacement therapy comes in. If your erection issue is caused by low levels of testosterone, then your doctor will recommend this treatment. However, you need to have bona fide low testosterone before your doctor agrees that you do it.
[adsanity id=”49837″ align=”aligncenter” /]The androgen replacement therapy comes in variety of forms. You can go for injections, which you get on a scheduled basis every few weeks, or patches or gels, which you can use everyday.
Keep in mind that you can’t avail of this treatment just because you can’t get your man up. If you have enough T levels and still opt for this treatment, then this could lead to unwanted side effects. This treatment gives your red blood cells a boost, which makes your blood sluggish and easier to clot. This increases your risk of stroke and heart attack, which is not good news.
4. Vacuum Or Penis Pumps
One of the non-surgical, non-drug treatments for erectile dysfunction is the use of penis pumps. This device works by placing the tube over your penis while the pump sucks out the air inside the tube. This will then create a vacuum that will improve blood flow down south and bring it into your penis.
Once there is enough supply down there, place a tension ring at the base of your penis to trap the blood and prevent it from escaping. Gently remove the vacuum device and you’re ready for action.
The erection will last long enough for you and your girl to have sex. However, ejaculation might be restricted because of the ring. With the tension ring intact, most experts recommend that you use it for maximum of 20 minutes only. This will minimize the risk of bruising down there.
Penis pumps are effective in getting and keeping your man up. The key here is finding the right penis pump that will suit your needs. Don’t easily fall for false promises and exaggerated advertising. Ask your doctor about the best and recommended penis pump on the market and try it. It may take a while before you are able to use the device perfectly and correctly.
5. Penile Implants
Let’s say none of the four treatments mentioned above have worked for you. You badly want to address your erection issues, even if it means paying for it. What is your next choice? In this case, try penile implants. With this treatment, the surgeon places a device on both sides of your penis. You can choose an inflatable device, which allows you to control when and how long you want an erect member and makes erection more natural looking.
You could also go for semi-rigid rods, which are bendable but keep your penis firm. This is suitable for older men who don’t have sex regularly. In fact, men who tried this treatment have positive feedback and high levels of satisfaction.
Since this is a surgical treatment, there are higher risks and complications involved. This includes infection, bleeding and scarring, among others. If you are willing to pay a higher price to address your ED, then this treatment is perfect. Again, this should be your last resort, not the first choice.
6. Psychological Treatments
Did you know that ED could be psychological, too? In fact, depression and anxiety are among the reasons why you can’t get it up. In this case, psychological treatments could help. This includes:
- Sensate Focus. This is a type of sex therapy for you and your girl. For a certain period, you and your girl could touch each other, but not down there.
This allows you both to explore each other’s bodies. Once the time has lapsed, start touching each other, which could lead to penetrative sex.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Also known as CBT, this type of therapy helps you realize that your problems, including the one down south, are created by your mindset. In fact, how you think and react to it is the reason why you are unhappy. This will also help you deal with your sexuality and self-esteem issues, which contributes to erection problems.
Erection issues should be treated, not ignored. It doesn’t help address the issue, and you are merely making matters worse. You might be surprised to find that the situation is already out of control. If you notice any differences down there, don’t hesitate to consult a doctor. Believe it or not, ED is an indicator that something serious is brewing inside.
Admit it. If you can’t get it up, the first thing that comes into your mind is Viagra. This is because it is the most common form of treatment when it comes to erection problems. Aside from Viagra, you could take any of the following:
In case you don’t believe in the effects of PDE5 inhibitors, or it didn’t work for you, or you don’t want to be bothered by those side effects, or you find the pills too much for your budget, then you can try Alprostadil. Other names for this substance are Caverject, Muse and Edex.
Alprostadil causes the smooth muscles to relax and increases blood flow down south to give you an erection. There are two ways you can get this treatment – by injecting it in your penis or by placing a suppository in the opening of your member.
In Alprostadil self-injections, you will use a fine needle to inject the drug into the base or side of your penis. This produces an erection that could last for an hour. You might also experience pain or a stinging sensation of the injection site. Don’t worry. This is only minor and you won’t even notice it during the act itself.
However, watch out for any side effects. This includes the formation of fibrous tissue on the injection site or bleeding. There is also a possibility of prolonged erections, or priapism. In case you noticed that your man doesn’t bow down in four hours, go to the nearest hospital right away.
On the other hand, you could go for the suppository version. The Alprostadil urethral suppository use a special applicator to facilitate the insertion of drug into your penile urethra. The erection starts within 10 minutes and could last 30 minutes to an hour. You might also experience minor bleeding in the urethra, as well as pain and the formation of fibrous tissues inside your member.
A piece of advice: take it easy on this treatment. Too much Alprostadil, regardless of your chosen form, could lead to scar tissue formation and make erectile function more painful.
One of the reasons why men have trouble getting and maintaining an erection is because of low testosterone levels.
You already know that you need enough supply of T hormones to make sure that your reproductive system works properly. At the same time, this hormone is responsible for your manly features, energy levels and sex drive.
Therefore, low testosterone means your guy down there won’t be able to function well. This is where androgen or testosterone replacement therapy comes in. If your erection issue is caused by low levels of testosterone, then your doctor will recommend this treatment. However, you need to have bona fide low testosterone before your doctor agrees that you do it.
[adsanity id=”49837″ align=”aligncenter” /]The androgen replacement therapy comes in variety of forms. You can go for injections, which you get on a scheduled basis every few weeks, or patches or gels, which you can use everyday.
Keep in mind that you can’t avail of this treatment just because you can’t get your man up. If you have enough T levels and still opt for this treatment, then this could lead to unwanted side effects. This treatment gives your red blood cells a boost, which makes your blood sluggish and easier to clot. This increases your risk of stroke and heart attack, which is not good news.
The erection will last long enough for you and your girl to have sex. However, ejaculation might be restricted because of the ring. With the tension ring intact, most experts recommend that you use it for maximum of 20 minutes only. This will minimize the risk of bruising down there.
Penis pumps are effective in getting and keeping your man up. The key here is finding the right penis pump that will suit your needs. Don’t easily fall for false promises and exaggerated advertising. Ask your doctor about the best and recommended penis pump on the market and try it. It may take a while before you are able to use the device perfectly and correctly.
Did you know that ED could be psychological, too? In fact, depression and anxiety are among the reasons why you can’t get it up. In this case, psychological treatments could help. This includes:
