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Are you madly and undeniably in love with your partner, but find it difficult to achieve a firm erection during your most intimate hours? If so, you could be suffering from erectile dysfunction.
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a prevalent disease, affecting hundreds of millions of men on a global scale. Its effects are more prominent in older men, but it has also been recorded in men as young as their twenties.
Nevertheless, there is good news: erectile dysfunction is not an untreatable disorder.
With how heinous this condition is, there are several clinical procedures that can help you regain your erectile function.
Erectile dysfunction drugs, or ED drugs, such as Viagra and Levitra, are among the most common treatments for ED.
But if you want a long-term and safe solution for your erection-less woes, you’ll have to do more than popping a blue pill occasionally.
Here’s a rundown of the specifics of ED, as well as five effective ED treatments that can help you restore your erectile function.
What Is Erectile Dysfunction?
Erectile dysfunction is a state in which a man is unable to get his penis to achieve or maintain a state of firmness.
It doesn’t need to be said that having an erection is necessary for sexual intercourse to occur. Unfortunately, as many as 150 million men worldwide suffer from erectile dysfunction symptoms, ranging from mild to severe.
Some ED symptoms to watch out for include:
- Inability to have an erection sufficient for penetration
- Failure to maintain your erection
- Lower libido
Erectile dysfunction is a multifaceted condition since the process of attaining an erection demands coordination between multiple organs, such as the brain, nerves, and sexual organs.
For some, ED could be a result of underlying chronic conditions like cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, poor blood flow, or diabetes. For others, it could be because of psychological disorders such as anxiety and depression.
With the high variability of this condition’s source, it’s highly encouraged to get cleared by a doctor before choosing just any treatment plan. Consult a local sexual health doctor in Cleveland for a free evaluation of your medical concerns.
Side Effects of the Most Popular ED Treatment: ED Medication
Although ED prescription drugs are commonly prescribed for ED patients, it’s not completely risk-free.
About 40% of patients have expressed experiencing side effects after taking sexual medicine.
The primary side effects of ED include the following:
- Headache
- Indigestion
- Back pain
- Nausea
- Priapism
- Changes to hearing and vision
Additionally, men with pre-existing heart conditions or low blood pressure are advised to not take ED drugs as they may further worsen their condition.
ED medication can also interfere with other medications. Inform a local erectile dysfunction doctor about any medications or conditions you have before taking any ED drugs.
5 Alternative Treatment Options For ED
While ED drugs may help temporarily relieve erection-less sensations, people who experience side effects after taking them may want to turn to other clinical remedies.
Fortunately, there exists a plethora of treatments that can help you treat ED, including:
1. Sex Therapy
ED can be caused by various factors, both physical and mental.
According to a recent study, the prevalence of non-physiological ED was as high as 51%. From the same study, about 70% of these reports were due to psychological factors.
When ED is mentally induced by relationship problems, trauma, or anxiety, then sex therapy could be the most appropriate treatment.
The type of therapy the patient has to undergo will depend on the mental source of the erectile problems. Cognitive behavioral sex therapy, individual therapy, or couples therapy are all viable solutions for treating ED.
However, remember that ED dysfunction can occur due to the simultaneous effect of mental instability and physical problems.
As such, it’s important to speak to a specialist to get a well-rounded picture of your sexual health.
2. Vacuum Erection Devices
If you cannot take ED drugs or do not wish to, then a vacuum erection device can be the next best choice.
Also known as penis pumps, these devices utilize a vacuum caused by a pump to suck blood into your penis and constrict it with the help of a rubber ring.
With an efficacy rate of 70% to 80%, these devices help you gain erections, making them a worthwhile tool to treat ED effectively. One downside is that it’s a manual device that’ll need to be activated for erections to be restored.
3. RestoreWave Therapy
Also known as acoustic wave therapy or shockwave therapy, RestoreWave therapy is a recently developed therapy that involves the application of low-intensity acoustic waves to your penis. This remedy helps regenerate existing blood vessels and develop new blood vessels.
When these acoustic waves are transmitted to an organ, they cause stress and microtears, inducing the release of factors that trigger changes in the tissue.
Shockwave therapy is highly effective for mild to moderate ED. The best part is that you do not need any subsequent maintenance for up to 2 years.
According to a study, out of 20 men, 15 men reported an improvement in erectile function.
4. Implant Surgery
Penile implant surgery is a minimally invasive surgery in which a semi-rigid or inflatable rod is inserted into your penis to enable erections.
Also known as penile prosthesis, this procedure helps older men with limited manual dexterity or mental issues.
Although this procedure is not as favored as the rest due to surgery requirements, around 90% of the patients report being satisfied with it.
That said, surgery generally has chances of infections, and the device itself may fail. Consult your doctor about the risks and side effects of the surgery.
5. Penile Injections
Injections with Alprostadil are frequently another choice of therapy if oral PDE5 inhibitors are unsuccessful. The contents are injected on the side of the penile shaft near the base.
According to a study, 94% of the patients reported intracavernosal injections to be effective. These injections have fewer side effects, such as lower priapism and less fibrosis.
However, these injections shouldn’t be taken with other medication like ED drugs, nor should the dosage be increased without the approval of your physician.
Cleveland’s Leading Male Health Clinic Can Help Men Regain Sexual Vitality Long Term
Erectile dysfunction is a sexual dysfunction that can turn your life upside down.
That said, it is a dysfunction that can be treated.
While ED drugs such as Viagra and Cialis are prominent treatments, there are many other options that you can opt for to avoid taking pills and the side effects they might bring.
Several options, such as ED therapy, vacuum erection devices, and penile implants, can also help increase blood flow in the penis and treat erectile dysfunction.
Significant lifestyle changes like exercising, eating a healthy diet, and avoiding bad habits like smoking also help you have better sex with your sexual partner.
Need further assistance? If you’re having issues with erectile dysfunction (ED) or premature ejaculation (PE), contact Cleveland male clinic Precise Men’s Medical Center now to schedule an appointment to have a consultation with their experienced and specially trained medical staff. We are one of Ohio’s leading men’s clinics providing ED therapy, PE therapy, Low Testosterone therapy, RestoreWave therapy, hormone therapy, and much more.
