Erectile Dysfunction Treatment

In some cases, treatment for erectile dysfunction only requires lifestyle changes and/or counseling. In other cases, treatment may require medication, a vacuum device, implanted devices, or even surgery. Medications used for erectile dysfunction include phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitors (such as Viagra, Levitra, and Cialis), alprostadil, and nitroglycerin. The type of treatment your healthcare provider prescribes will depend on the cause of ED.

Erectile Dysfunction Information

Erectile Dysfunction Treatment: An Overview

Most physicians suggest that the treatments for erectile dysfunction (ED) proceed from the least invasive to the most invasive.

Some treatment options include:

Lifestyle changes
Counseling
Medications
Vacuum devices
Implanted devices.

In rare cases, surgery involving veins or arteries may be considered for erectile dysfunction. The amount of research being done on drugs for erectile dysfunction is expanding rapidly. Men should ask their healthcare provider about the latest advances in erectile dysfunction treatment.

Lifestyle Changes as a Treatment for Erectile Dysfunction

For some men, making a few healthy lifestyle changes may be all the treatment needed for ED. Things that may help men regain their sexual function include:

Quitting smoking
Losing excess weight
Increasing physical activity.

Cutting back on any drugs with harmful side effects is the next treatment considered for erectile dysfunction. For example, drugs for high blood pressure work in different ways. If you think a particular drug is causing erectile dysfunction, tell your doctor and ask whether you can try a different class of blood pressure medicine.

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