Erectile dysfunction is a problem that most men are well aware of. Almost every man will have problems with obtaining and sustaining erections at a certain stage of his life, some earlier while others later. And the most crucial thing to remember with erectile dysfunction is that you have to get help as soon as the problem transforms from occasional to persistent. The earlier you take action the better. And after you have defined the causes of your impotence and consulted with your physician, you have to consider your options for treating the condition.
The last decade has seen serious developments in the field of erectile dysfunction treatments and effective medications are not the only thing that was improved and taken on a new level.
Psychological therapy
Erectile dysfunction is known to be caused by various psychological problems in up to 90% of all cases. It can be anything from work stress to depression, varying from simple causes to complex situations with very profound impact. In such a case, going to a psychotherapist or relationship counselor is much better and more effective that using medications. Psychological problems can be eliminated by simple conversations, relaxation techniques and group therapy that get in touch with the psyche of the person, rather than influencing bodily functions. And in many cases it's more than enough to get men back on track.
Vacuum pumps
Vacuum pumps have been around for decades and there are countless variations and improvements of the simple concept behind them. Every vacuum pump is a cylinder that the patient has to put his penis in. The valve mechanism sucks out the air from the cylinder and creates vacuum, which in turn stimulates blood flow into the penile shaft. It's the same mechanism that drugs like Viagra use only that it acts from the outside on a purely physical level. After the desired effect has been achieved, a special ring is placed at the base of the penis to sustain the erection
Medications
This type of ED treatment has seen much of a stir in the past decade mainly due to the advent of Viagra. Today there are many other medications from different manufacturers as well as generic Viagra formulations available for a lower price and the market is blooming. The mechanism of action in such pills is basically the same as with penis pumps only that it stimulates the blood circulation on the physiological level within the body by blocking certain enzymes.
Injections
Injections are also a form of medication administration only that they are required in cases when pills don't help anymore. The drug is administered directly to the penis before the intercourse and has lower interference with other substances in the body if compared to ordinary pills.
Hormonal treatment
The most common hormonal issue that may cause erectile dysfunction is the low level of male hormone testosterone. If that's the cause if impotence, your doctor may prescribe you with testosterone replacement therapy that requires frequent analysis and precise dosage. Thorough medical supervision is a must.
Prosthetic solutions and surgical procedures
In some cases only surgical operations and prosthetic solutions can help restore sexual functions. It's usually the last resort in cases when other treatment options couldn't help at all or there are severe restrictions against using medications for the patient.