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Erectile Dysfunction Erectile Dysfunction Treatment

Treatments for Erectile Dysfunction

Most men will, at some point in their sexual lives, have difficulty getting it up. But for approximately thirty million men in the United States, erectile dysfunction, or male impotence, is a chronic problem.

Men are often embarrassed by erectile dysfunction, and only one in twenty sufferers seeks treatment, even though there are treatments that can address each of the causes of erectile dysfunction. Below, some of the most effective treatments are described.

Viagra

In 1998, Viagra was approved by the FDA, becoming a milestone in the field of treatment for erectile dysfunction. It works by increasing blood flow to the penis, as well as causing penile muscles to relax. It does not, however, initiate an erection, and this is a common misperception that has led to widespread disappointment. Viagra works by storing penile blood flow in an already-stimulated penis. So, for Viagra to be effective, one must be able to initiate a partial erection in response to sexual stimulation. In the absence of this partial erection, or without sexual, tactile stimulation, Viagra will not work.

Optimal performance
Viagra works best when taken at a dosage of 100mg, one to one and a half hours before sex on an empty stomach. Studies show that it may take six to eight tries before it works optimally, as it may require time to overcome performance anxiety.

Side effects
Side effects of Viagra include headaches, redness of the face, nasal stuffiness, and heartburn. Three percent of men may experience visual disturbance in the form of an increased sensitivity to light or seeing a bluish tint to everything. All side effects are very mild, well-tolerated, transient, and actually very few patients discontinue use because of them.

Viagra should not be taken by men taking medications that contain nitrates of any form or schedule.

Internal Penile Pump^TM

Today, 250,000 men are the secret keepers of what is called the Internal Penile Pump-a manual device surgically implanted in the penis and scrotal sac, used to create erections. The IPP, one example of a penile implant or prosthesis, is a soft saline-filled device that can expand and contract without losing its elasticity. It consists of three small components: very thin tubes, a pump, and a reservoir. The reservoir contains the saline, which is transferred into the penis by a gentle squeeze of the scrotal sac where the pump is housed, causing the tubes in the penis to fill and become rigid.

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