Erectile Dysfunction
Alternate Names : Impotence
What are the treatments for the condition?
First, any underlying conditions that may cause the erectile dysfunction should be treated. Treatment may include counseling or sex therapy for men whose erectile dysfunction stems from emotional problems. Treatments for physical causes of erectile dysfunction should progress from less to more invasive.
Treatment may include:
using a vacuum pump device to draw blood into the penis
using oral prescription medications and herbal products, such as sildenafil, also known as Viagra, or Yohimbine
injecting the medication prostacyclin E into the penis
surgery to improve blood flow to the penis
implanting an inflatable prostheses into the penis
What are the side effects of the treatments?
Each treatment has its own set of advantages and side effects. The vacuum pump is very safe. But one drawback is that the constriction band, which keeps the erection, cannot be left on for more than 30 minutes.
Sildenafil or Viagra cannot be used in people who take nitroglycerine because the combination may cause severe low blood pressure and heart attack.
Injections are relatively painless, but require careful dose adjustments by a healthcare provider.
Surgery is an option that should be discussed with a healthcare provider. There are possible side effects with any surgery. These include bleeding, infection, and reactions to the medications used to control pain.
What happens after treatment for the condition?
Most treatments for erectile dysfunction are taken right before planned intercourse. Successful treatment restores sexual function to a satisfactory level for the man and his partner.
How is the condition monitored?
A man follow up with his primary healthcare provider or to a urologist about whether the treatment is working satisfactorily.
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