Medically reviewed by: Thomas Fischer (Pharmacist). This article has been written according to strict guidelines and medical standards.
Medically reviewed by: Thomas Fischer (Pharmacist)
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is the consistent inability to have and maintain an erection firm enough for intercourse. ED, also referred to as impotence, is not uncommon. Global estimates on ED vary, and recent studies have shown that up to a third of men could suffer ED symptoms at some point in their lives. ED mostly affects men in the age group 40 to 70. The probability of developing ED symptoms increases with age, but lifestyle and medical history play a role, too.
This article will look into ED in more detail, with a specific focus on causes and available treatment options.
Factors That Cause Erectile Dysfunction (Male Impotence)
ED is the most common form of sexual dysfunction that affects men. ED is a medical condition that occurs when a man, who was able to achieve an erection before, is no longer able to have and sustain an erection. Occasional difficulty to have an erection should not immediately be labelled as ED. When this becomes a regular challenge, a patient suffering the symptoms should seek medical advice and a longer-term treatment plan.
What Causes ED?
When a man becomes aroused, the muscles in his penis will relax, and more blood will flow to the penis. The penis will become erect, or ‘swollen’ due to this increased blood flow into the spongy tissue in an area called the corpus cavernosum. When there is a problem with this process, it is most likely that the man will not be able to have or maintain an erection hard enough for sexual intercourse.
Other Important Factors
There are a few other factors to consider in this process. Underlying medical conditions such as diabetes, heart conditions, blood pressure, lifestyle play a role. Psychological matters may also have an impact. Using medication such as antidepressants, or specific blood pressure treatments can further contribute to ED.
Taking certain medications can affect normal blood flow, which can, in turn, lead to ED. A patient should never stop taking medications without a doctor’s consent, even if it’s known to cause impotence. Best practice would be to consider a holistic approach.
Medications or other prescription drugs that could lead to, or increase the risk of ED are:
- Beta-blockers or beta-adrenergic blocking agents often prescribed to manage irregular heart rhythms
- Chemotherapy and other cancer treatments
The likelihood of suffering ED symptoms can increase with age. That does not exclude younger men from experiencing ED. Younger men can experience ED too, and in their case, it is often as a result of a stressful, fast-paced lifestyle, and anxiety or relationship issues.
Underlying psychological issues can also lead to ED, and cause or increase anxiety, affect self-confidence, and harm relationships.
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Can Male Impotence Be Treated?
ED is usually treatable, and the likelihood of completely reversing ED depends on the root cause. In some instances, the inability to get and keep an erection could be a sign of other underlying health issues. Address these issues first.
The first step in treating ED symptoms would be to seek medical advice. Almost all reputable oral ED medication is only available via a prescription from a licenced medical practitioner. Consulting a general practitioner or an online medical health clinic would be the best place to start.
An overview of the patient’s medical history, in combination with the symptoms, should be assessed. It would be best to consider any symptoms experienced, along with ED symptoms. The ideal treatment plan would include a combination of medication and relevant lifestyle changes, to increase the chances of reversing ED.
Medical conditions that could lead to, or contribute to ED symptoms include chronic conditions like
- High cholesterol
- Hypertension
- Diabetes
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Parkinson’s Disease
Some of the more common lifestyle-related causes of ED include excessive alcohol consumption and smoking. The unlawful use of drugs and obesity, stress, anxiety, insomnia and clinical depression, may also lead to ED or the increased occurrence of ED symptoms.
ED medications not only treat or reduce the symptoms, but can assist with improved sexual relationships. This is because it removes the stress around so-called ‘performance anxiety.’ The right ED treatment can lead to enhanced self-confidence and have a positive impact on the patient’s relationship with their respective spouse.
Cures for Erectile Dysfunction
ED symptoms can often improve or be reversed through treatment. Many treatments for ED exist and, as medical technology advances, this will develop further. Getting the right treatment plan is the first step in finding a cure for your specific symptoms. What works for one patient may not work for another, based on their unique medical conditions, medical history, and current circumstances.
Lifestyle Changes That Can Help
While there are several different causes of ED, some can be cured, by reversing the symptoms, and others can’t. The so-called ‘curable’ causes of ED are controllable or can be eliminated. These are often the lifestyle-related causes or obstacles listed below.
- Quitting smoking
- Moderate alcohol consumption
- Managing stress
- Losing weight
- Increased physical activity such as regular exercise
- Discussing other medication causing ED with your doctor
Even when these lifestyle challenges are removed, ED may not be cured or reversed. In this case, the best option would be to start taking medication to treat the symptoms of ED.
The best treatment plan will always depend on the patient and their unique medical condition and history.
Two main categories are known as powerful methods for treating ED. There are short-term or secondary treatment options, which will assist in achieving or maintaining an erection. The first category would include oral medication such as Viagra, which can be taken ‘on-demand’ to help a patient in achieving and maintaining an erection.
The second category is a primary treatment to address the underlying issue that is causing ED. This could be treating blocked arteries or improving lifestyle related issues, such as fitness and cardiovascular health, which may, in turn, reduce the frequency of ED.
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Different Treatment Methods For Erectile Dysfunction
The best course of treatment would be to speak to a medical professional and assess the patient’s health while considering the potential underlying conditions. ED is often treated most successfully when detected early. Early intervention, and understanding the actual cause are likely to increase the chances of reversing ED symptoms.
Commercial treatment options have been available since the late 1980s, and are still available on the market. Viagra, as an example, has successfully treated ED symptoms for over three decades.
Prescription Medicines (Oral Tablets)
Prescription medication, in the form of an oral tablet, is often the preferred or ‘first-line’ treatment option. There are several FDA approved options available on the market. Some of these drugs also have a generic alternative, which can be a more cost-effective option. The ED medications most often prescribed include, but is not limited to:
- Viagra (Sildenafil Citrate)
- Stendra (Avanafil)
- Cialis (Tadalafil)
- Levitra (Vardenafil)
These all have similar functionality and are known as PDE5-inhibitors. All these medications follow a process of increasing blood flow to particular areas of the body; in this case, the penis. All these oral ED treatments are available with a prescription only.
ED medication is known to be effective, and none of these will automatically cause an erection, sexual stimulation is still required. ED medication is well tolerated in most instances, but, as with all medication, there could be potential side effects and contraindications.
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- Viagra, Cialis, or Levitra – Comparing Three ED Medicines
Intracavernosal Injections (ICI)
Another form ED of treatment available is intracavernosal injections (ICI), which can be as effective as oral ED treatments. Some studies claim that patients may enjoy a ‘stronger’ erection from ICI treatments. The reason being that injecting this substance straight into your penis, widens blood vessels in the penis directly, which then fills the penis with blood. This may have fewer side effects but can be more invasive and painful. The following injection treatments are available but are not approved by the FDA.
- Papaverine
- Aviptadil
- Phentolamine
MUSE - Medicated Urethral Systems for Erections
Medicated Urethral Systems for Erections or ‘MUSE’ is another option. Using MUSE treatments involves placing a tiny intra-urethral suppository or ‘pellet’ into the opening at the end of your penis, into the area known as the urethra. A MUSE pellet is the size of a grain of rice and can trigger an erection within minutes.
Another option to treat ED is by testosterone replacement therapy. This is a prescription-only treatment and only effective in cases of low to deficient testosterone level. Testosterone therapy will not be a viable treatment option in men with normal testosterone levels.
Treatment for Erectile Dysfunction - What To Consider?
Consulting a medical practitioner is the first step in an ED treatment plan. Treatment will usually start with a primary care doctor or general practitioner. In severe cases, patients should see a specialist like a urologist.
Visiting Your Doctor
When visiting your doctor, you can expect several questions and tests, to enable the doctor to prescribe the best possible treatment. Subjects will include details about your symptoms, your medical history, as well as your sex life. Questions about your sex life may consist of your relationship, your sex drive and details about erections during intercourse. It is crucial to answer openly and truthfully, to be able to find the best possible treatment plan.
The consultation will include a physical examination with some routine check like blood pressure, pulse and heartbeat. The doctor will also analyze your penis, testicles and scrotum. Expect questions about a hormone-related matter like hair loss, sensitivities around the nipples or swollen breasts.
Additional checks may include blood tests, to rule out any thyroid issues or underlying conditions like diabetes. When visiting a specialist like a urologist, you could also expect an ultrasound or an injection test, and these are all ways to check the veins and blood flow into the penis.
Following this detailed medical consultation to assess the patient’s symptoms, and considering the complete medical history and identify underlying causes, a prescription could be issued.
Dosage and Treatment Plan
The dosage and treatment plan will vary for each patient, as well as the side effects and contraindications. Treatments for ED symptoms may not be effective immediately, and over time the dosage or type of medication may have to be adjusted to find the best possible option. In some instances, ED may not be wholly reversed or cured, but the occurrence may be less frequent. Different brands of ED medication may have the same functionality but differ in how long they work, and how they are used.
Brands like Viagra and Levitan can be used ‘on-demand,’ and it should be taken 30 minutes to an hour before planned intercourse, and can last a few hours. These pills should not be used more than once a day. The effects of a brand like Cialis can last up to 36 hours, and Cialis can be taken in smaller daily doses, which is ideal for more spontaneous intercourse.
What Are The Latest Treatment For Erectile Dysfunction?
The management of and research in ED has changed in recent years. Viagra’ ruled’ the market for an extended period, and more competitors and generic brands have come to market in the last few years.
Pharmaceutical companies are constantly innovating and researching new treatment options for ED. Several new kinds of treatment for ED are continually being investigated. These are still in the pipeline, as a clinical trial phase, not yet approved for launch, and not available commercially.
- Stem cell therapy
- Platelet-rich plasma treatment (PRP)
- Vascular stents
- Penile transplants
- Shockwave therapy
What Is The Most Effective ED Treatment?
The best treatment option will most definitely depend on each patient’s unique medical history, the severity of the symptoms and their lifestyle. The best-known are oral drugs, such as Viagra and Cialis. These drugs have been in the market for many years, and are backed by major global pharmaceutical companies, proving them well researched with plenty of clinical data and statistics available.
To determine the best possible treatment for ED symptoms, it is essential to consider that people react differently to medication, and most patients may experience varying degrees of side effects. Patients are advised to always discuss the best possible solution and a big picture treatment plan for their unique circumstances.
Open communication with your medical practitioner is vital, as this will Identify health issues, highlight possible side effects, and contraindications. ED symptoms are often easily reversible, with prescription medication. However, the best treatment will differ from person to person.
Key Takeaways
The terms ED and impotence are used interchangeably. The symptom ED, or erectile dysfunction, as the name states, refers to difficulty getting or maintaining an erection that’s hard enough for intercourse. ED thus refers specifically to trouble in getting an erection.
Impotence used in a broader sense and several other male sexual health concerns is often grouped under the term impotence. This could include low sex drive, premature ejaculation and ED symptoms, or a combination of these. Impotence may involve psychological issues too and has had a negative connotation, which often leads to stress, low self-esteem and even depression. These psychological issues, in turn, are often the underlying issues causing or contributing to ED, and it becomes a vicious circle.
ED is often an easily treatable symptom under the broader label of impotence. To enable satisfactory intercourse there, the process needs to take place, and if one of the links in this process is not working, it may lead to ED.
For a man to have and maintain an erection, excitement of arousal is required. An erection will occur when blood flows naturally and fills two areas known as the corpora cavernosa. This results in the penis to expanding and becoming hard. During this initial phase, the ability to become sexually aroused can further be influenced by emotional or psychological matters.
A block in this process or something that restricts blood flow to the penis can cause ED. These emotional or mental matters mentioned may play an additional role in the ability to get or keep an erection. His means that even if a man has a relatively healthy of regular sex drive, the penis may not respond, causing ED.
In conclusion, patients suffering from Impotence or ED may need to use a combination of treatments over time to find the best possible treatment option. It is also imperative to not only speak to your doctor but also your partner. Talking openly with your partner about your ED symptoms will help you both understand and adjust and overcome the challenges brought on by ED, to enjoy a healthy sex life.
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