Sunday, January 9, 2011

Is There Finally A Treatment For Erectile Dysfunction?

There has been a spurt in the cases of erectile dysfunction (ED) in the recent years. The cause that has been traditionally linked with the syndrome is aging (age above 40 years). However, the present day lifestyle and associated stress have come up as greater culprits. Not only is there a rise in the overall numbers, but also in the number of younger patients. Nevertheless, there is a ray of hope and certain lines of treatment coupled with some lifestyle changes that can be helpful. Among the leading methods of treatment are:

• Oral Medication. This type of medication includes phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors, such as Viagra, Cialis, and Levitra. The success rates range anywhere between 50% and 70%. However, people with heart ailments, hypertensions, diabetes, and other conditions cannot take these drugs.

• Intracavernous Pharmacotherapy. It is by far the safest and surest form of ED treatment. People with limiting cardiovascular and other diseases can also take it. Compounds, known as vasodilators, are injected in the tissues of the male organ and the results are achieved within a couple of minutes.

• Surgery. The vascular reconstructive surgery is designed to improve blood circulation in the penis. This largely helps in regaining the natural erection. In effect, this is a form of bypass surgery.

• Device Implants. This treatment is known as penis prosthesis and involves implanting specialized inflatable or flexible devices. They keep the organ slightly in ‘position’ all the time and complete erection requires much less efforts.

Simple lifestyle changes, like:

• exercising and increasing physical activities,
• quitting smoking,
• avoiding over-the-counter anti-depressants,
• getting over the psychological barriers in the form of lowering confidence, and
• considering ‘herbal’ alternatives

can go a long way in treating the problem of erectile dysfunction. They can be used as supplementary to the medical help or even as substitutes!

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