If your penis just stays uselessly flaccid no matter what you and your partner do, you may feel as if it’s already hopeless. No need to be so forlorn about it, though. Impotence is definitely treatable.
There are actually a variety of treatment options available for men with erectile dysfunction, ranging from surgery to lifestyle changes. Of course, which treatment would work best for you would depend on what’s making you impotent in the first place.
Counseling
Many cases of erectile dysfunction or ED are caused by anxiety, stress, and even depression. In fact, depression and ED are closely tied to each other. Men with depression tend to develop erectile dysfunction, and men with erectile dysfunction tend to become depressed.
When you’re in this kind of situation, professional help may be necessary. Talking to a professional therapist may help ease your psychological burdens and help restore your erectile function.
Medications
A lot of men think that medications for impotence can end all of their erection problems. Unfortunately, ED medicines are not for everyone. In particular, anti-erectile dysfunction pills are not recommended for men who are taking nitrate drugs and alpha-blockers.
There are actually different types of erectile dysfunction medicines, and your doctor will take into consideration factors like underlying health conditions and your overall health before he will recommend a certain type of erectile dysfunction medication.
You may be given a prescription for anti-erectile dysfunction pills or your doctor may recommend penile injections. There are also medications that are inserted into the penis. These medications will have varying degrees of efficacy, and some are known to cause side effects like headaches and muscle aches.
Suppositories and Injections
If your doctor determines that anti-impotence pills are not safe for you because you have another medical condition or you’re taking other medications, your doctor may recommend that you use suppositories instead. These are pellets that are placed inside your phallus.
Alternatively, your doctor may prescribe injectable medications for erectile dysfunction. The medicine is injected directly into the side of your penis. Although considerably effective, injectable erectile dysfunction medications increase your risks of scarring. And if scar tissue grows inside your penis, it can also contribute to ED, which can worsen the problem.
Vacuum Devices
Vacuum devices are typically recommended for penis rehabilitation, such as if you lost your erectile ability after going through a prostate surgery. These devices are supposed to help normalize penile blood flow so that you can get a spontaneous erection.
However, it may take months before you see considerable improvements in your erectile function. Moreover, using a penile vacuum device may make you feel as if sex is no longer spontaneous since you have to use the vacuum erection device first before you start having sex.
Surgery
Placing an implant inside your penis is one of the most effective ways to treat erectile dysfunction. However, doctors usually recommend this type of surgery only after you’ve tried other treatment options for erectile dysfunction but to no avail.
Your doctor may also recommend vascular reconstruction surgery if damaged blood vessels are causing your erectile dysfunction. You can have vascular reconstruction surgery to either reduce blood leakage from your penile veins or to improve blood flow to your penile arteries.
Lifestyle Changes
This one won’t require a visit to the doctor. Instead, you would need to really commit yourself to modify your lifestyle. Quitting habits, such as smoking and drinking, that are detrimental to your erectile function can definitely help.
On top of that, you may also need to manage your weight, so exercising regularly may be necessary. You will also benefit from dietary changes such as reducing your intake of meat and fatty foods while increasing your consumption of fruits and leafy veggies.
Whatever the cause of your erectile dysfunction may be, a healthy lifestyle will definitely benefit your erectile function and improve your overall health.
Supplements
For men who are looking for accessible treatment options for erectile dysfunction, herbal supplements are a great alternative. There are actually several herbs that are scientifically recognized to have potent and effective erection-enhancing properties. Here are a few examples.
Tongkat Ali
Because it is packed with numerous antioxidants, Tongkat Ali has a number of benefits for your sexual and overall health. For one, it’s known to reduce anxiety and stress, so if your erectile dysfunction is due to stress or anxiety, this herb would work well for you.
In addition, Tongkat Ali is also an excellent testosterone booster, which means it can help improve your erectile function and libido, as well as increase your muscle mass and strength. Its energy-boosting properties also benefit your sexual stamina.
Horny Goat Weed
This icariin-containing herb has long been used as an aphrodisiac and erection booster. Due to the PDE5 inhibitory effects of icariin, Horny Goat Weed is extremely potent in improving erectile function.
Tribulus terrestris
Also referred to as puncture vine, Tribulus terrestris is great for increasing your testosterone levels, as well as for improving your nitric oxide production and increasing penile smooth muscle relaxation.
This antioxidant-rich herb is also known to increase sperm count, semen volume, as well as improve sperm motility.
Maca
Just like Tongkat Ali, Lepidium meyenii or maca also exhibits energy-boosting, anti-stress, and erection-enhancing properties. A root vegetable belonging to the same family as broccoli and cauliflower, maca is also extremely nutritious and full of antioxidants.
Maca also helps improve male fertility by improving sperm motility and increasing sperm concentration.
L-arginine
An amino acid that’s found in protein-rich foods, L-arginine is a vasodilator that helps to improve your erectile function by promoting penile smooth muscle relaxation, as well as facilitating the dilation of your blood vessels. In short, L-arginine makes it possible for you to have an erection by improving penile blood flow.
The Bottom Line
Erectile dysfunction does not have to be a permanent condition for you. There are many options available to help improve your erectile function and enable you to enjoy your sexuality again.
What’s even more amazing is that you can actually restore your erectile function naturally. A healthful diet, an active lifestyle, and taking all the right erection-enhancing supplements can surely help you achieve an erection again.
