Impotence Treatments: An Introduction
There are a number of
impotence treatments currently available to help with
erection problems (also known as
erectile dysfunction, or
ED). You may want to talk with your partner about which treatments fit you best as a couple. You may need to try a number of treatments before you find the one that works best for you.
Treatments for impotence include:
- Lifestyle changes
- Counseling
- Oral medication
- Pellets and injections
- Vacuum devices
- Implant surgery
- Other forms of surgery.
For some men, the only impotence treatments needed are a few lifestyle changes. Some erection problems can be solved by:
- Getting more exercise
- Quitting smoking
- Losing weight
- Cutting back on alcohol.
Even though most cases of impotence have a physical cause, counseling can help couples deal with the emotional effects of impotence. Some couples find that counseling enhances the effects of other treatments by making their relationship stronger.
Since 1998, impotence treatments have included pills. Current brands include
Viagra®,
Levitra®, and
Cialis®. If your doctor determines that your health is generally good, you may receive a prescription for one of these drugs. You should not take any of these pills for impotence if you take any of the heart medicines called nitrates.
These types of
impotence medication work by increasing blood flow to the penis, but do not cause automatic erections. These drugs should be taken exactly as prescribed, so be sure to talk with your doctor about when to take your pill. You may need to experiment to find out how soon the pill takes effect.
Even if taking an
erectile dysfunction pill solves your erection problems, you should still address the other health issues that may have caused your impotence.
