Lifestyle changes help most of the patients with erectile dysfunction. Balanced diet, daily exercise and weight reduction are helpful in improving this condition.
Medications aiming to relax arteries along with lifestyle changes provide a sufficient enough treatment. These medicines help release chemicals which increase blood flow in penis. They essentially act to artificially amplify sexual stimulation thus easing the way for an erection. Use of these medications without expert consultation might lead to certain side effects including, headaches, upset stomach, nasal congestion and heart complications. You should particularly avoid the use of these medications if you are experiencing severe blood pressure fluctuations or suffering from a liver disease. Inform your doctor if you have a heart condition and using any medications. He will decide whether use of these medications is safe for you.
If these medications are not sufficient, other options might be advised. These include injections, physical therapy, testosterone replacement, implants and surgery.
The use of injections involves self-injecting medication into the side of your penis. Use of these self-injecting medicines is easily learned by patient or partner once demonstrated in clinic. The result is an artificial erection that lasts for around an hour.
Another delivery method involves placing an erection-inducing drug into a drug delivery device (suppository) which is then inserted into the urethra where it dissolves into the blood stream. This treatment also results in an hour-long erection.
Prolonged and painful erection is an occasional side effect of such medications. Prolonged and painful erection is an emergency that needs immediate medical attention .You will be observed in clinic or day care after teaching you use of these injections for the first time to confirm the required dose and to observe for spontaneous resolution of erection.
Testosterone replacement is usually needed in men suffering from low levels of hormonal testosterone. As the name suggests, this therapy involves the replacement of testosterone via methods including injection, patch, gel and gum.
Penile implants consist of surgically implanting inflatable rods on either side of the penis. When an erection is required, the rods can be inflated and kept so for as long as needed. These rods are made so that they are both flexible and robust, thus properly simulating the solidity and flexibility of the erected penis.
In case the dysfunction is due to obstructed blood-vessels, a surgery might be required.
