Types of Erectile Dysfunction Treatment
Once your doctor has determined the cause and severity of your ED, you will be able to explore various erectile dysfunction treatment options. Your doctor should cover the risks and benefits of each so you can determine which course of treatment you think would be best. In addition, you also might want to discuss these options with your partner. Oral Medications Four major medications that doctors may prescribe are sildenafil (Viagra), tadalafil (Adcirca, Cialis), vardenafil (Levitra, Staxyn), and avanafil (Stendra). Taking one of these medications will not automatically allow an individual to produce an erection. These tablets enhance the effects of nitric oxide, which allows you to get an erection once you are exposed to sexual stimulation. Each medication will work for varying lengths and produce different side effects such as nasal congestion, flushing, headache, backache, visual changes, and nausea. Other Medications Another form of erectile dysfunction treatment is self-injecting alprostadil (Caverject, Edex). The patient will inject this medication into the base or the side of the penis. Each injection is pharmaceutically produced to create an erection that will last no longer than an hour. Side effects can include priapism (prolonged erection), mild bleeding from the injection, and the formation of tissue at the injection site in rare cases. Sometimes doctors will also recommend an alprostadil urethral suppository. This form of treatment involves placing a suppository inside your penis. The erection usually lasts between 30 and 60 minutes, and side effects can include minor bleeding or a burning feeling inside the penis.Why Testosterone Replacement Therapy Can Help with ED
Testosterone plays a critical role in keeping and maintaining an erection. In our clinical practice, we’ve seen men who go on testosterone replacement therapy regain their ability to achieve and maintain erections. What we have to consider is why that happens. As we said earlier, the relationship between testosterone and ED is complex. Testosterone replacement therapy can directly affect (and sometimes treat) ED, but it can also help indirectly. That’s because ED can have more than one cause. Here are some possible causes of ED:- High blood pressure or high cholesterol
- Obesity
- Lack of interest in sex (low libido)
- Relationship issues
- Anxiety or depression