One of the most common medical issues in men is the problem of erectile dysfunction and impotence. Erectile dysfunction occurs when you have repeated problems in getting and sustaining an erection consistently. Sexual intercourse becomes more difficult due to erection problems. The risks of developing ED increase with age. However, this problem can be solved.
There are various forms of sexual dysfunction that men can suffer from. Erectile dysfunction is just one of them. Others include ejaculation problems and poor libido. However, erectile dysfunction is a specific problem in which men are unable to achieve an erection or maintaining them. ED does not necessarily impact the libido of men. It is possible for men to have a healthy sex drive in spite of erectile dysfunction. Libido is controlled by the hormones but the body is unable to respond to it by means of an erection.
Psychological Help
In the majority of ED cases, the cause is physical in nature. However, it is also possible to develop erectile dysfunction because of psychological reasons. These ED cases are typically caused by stress, anxiety or depression. You should consult a professional therapist or order ED medication.
Problems that have affected your life significantly and caused stress are not the only cause. Even regular stress that occurs every day can end up causing erection problems. As a result, you may find that your sexual anxiety and ED problems are being relieved by talking with a therapist. You may benefit from having your partner in these situations as well.
Oral ED Medications
There is a variety of generic medications for treating erectile dysfunction available these days. Generally, ED pills are used that are meant to be taken orally. The common oral medications (PDE5 inhibitors) that are prescribed by doctors to men with erectile dysfunction issues are given below.
- Avanafil (Stendra);
- Sildenafil (Viagra);
- Tadalafil (Cialis);
- Vardenafil (Levitra).
These generic medicines should only be taken after consultation with a doctor. They are typically taken before sex. The time period between consuming medicine and having sex can vary greatly, ranging from 15 minutes to nearly 36 hours. It depends on the drug. These medicines are meant to be taken only once in a day. These medicines are effective for most men. However, it is important to consult a doctor if an erection lasts for over 4 hours.
You may experience some side effects while using these ED medicines.
- Stuffy nose;
- Headaches;
- Muscle aches;
- Eyesight problems (it is possible for the vision to turn a blue-green shade temporarily);
- Temporary hearing loss.
Before taking these generic medications (Stendra, Viagra, Cialis, Levitra), inform the doctor of all the other medicines that you are using including your supplements, herbs and other drugs. If you are already taking medicines for heart disease, you must avoid these pills or there can be a dangerous drop in your blood pressure. These medicines should not be used if you are using certain medications for treating blood pressure or prostate problems.
Injections and Suppositories
There other forms of medications available if oral medications are not safe for you or if they do not work in your case. In such cases, Alprostadil is often prescribed. This drug can improve the flow of blood in the penis which triggers an erection quickly. These medications can be taken through injections or suppositories.
- Injections: In this method, the medication is inserted into the side of the penis by means of an injection. However, this increases the risk of suffering from prolonged erections which can be dangerous. Scarring can also occur;
- Suppositories: In this method, pellets of the drug are inserted into the penis through a procedure called Medicated Urethral System for Erections or MUSE for short. On the other hand, this method may not be as successful in giving you an erection as the injection method.
Surgery Methods
If these methods fail, you may want to opt for surgical options. An implant can be placed into your penis to help you achieve erections. Another surgical option is vascular reconstruction surgery that can improve blood flow inside the penis.
