Top Five Treatments for Erectile Dysfunction

As the years progress, more and more treatment options are being designed for all types of men struggling with Erectile Dysfunction. The inability to develop and maintain and erection sufficient for sexual intercourse is an issue that plagues 140 million men worldwide. It’s way more common than you’d expect and can cause serious distress to men’s self esteem and the ability to maintain relationships. While many of the most common causes are intense stress, heavy alcohol/drug consumption and obesity, being diagnosed with ED can significantly increase the levels of these factors, perpetuating a cycle that can feel solution-less. Whether you are just beginning your research of ED treatments, or you’re deep in a trial and error stage, staying up-to-date and knowledgeable of your options is a key step to finding the solution for you.

Medication

One of the first types of treatment offered by physicians for Erectile Dysfunction is medication. Leading brands like Viagra, Levita and Cialis are known to successfully help about 80% of men suffering from ED. The main ingredients in these types of medications are called Phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors, meant to increase blood flow so that you can achieve an erection. Common side effects from ED medication include headaches, nasal congestion, upset stomach and vision problems, among others. 

Sex Therapy

Sometimes men will find that their ED issues don’t stem from a physical body “malfunction,” but rather intense fears and anxieties residing in their brain that seem to “psych” them out when it comes down to doing the deed. Performance anxiety, depression, stress and unhealthy relationships can cause a disconnect in your brain that results in the inability to maintain an erection. Sex therapy is a solid treatment option that goes beyond just aiding in Erectile Dysfunction issues, therapy itself is widely recommended to confront past trauma that may be holding you back from being your best self, both in and outside of the bedroom. 

Hormone Therapy

For those low-T individuals, hormone therapy can be a viable solution to boost testosterone levels and increase sexual mood & desire. And while it’s not meant to increase overall performance, you have to start somewhere, right? Hormone therapy can come in the form of injections, patches and gels and should be taken daily in addition to ED medication like Viagra or Cialis. Side effects of hormone therapy include acne, fluid retention, sleep apnea and decreased testicular size. 

Shockwave Therapy

One of the newer alternative treatment options for ED is shockwave therapy, a process that uses low energy shockwaves to help regrow blood vessels without injections or surgery. It’s 100% atraumatic (non-damaging) to tissue and cells and provides a larger wave-delivery zone than focused or planar devices. Shockwave therapy’s non-invasive approach is effective, affordable and is performed on an outpatient basis with little to know downtime for recovery. 

PRP Therapy

Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy is known as a form of autologous cell therapy meant to promote healing and tissue regeneration. It’s commonly referred to as a P-Shot, where a higher concentration of platelets are injected into the penis. This type of therapy is generally only administered once, producing results satisfactory to men, but additional treatment can be administered three months after if necessary. Side effects of PRP therapy include infection, nerve damage and bruising.