Treatment of erectile dysfunction (Impotence).
Although the likelihood of impotence to occur  increases progressively with age, contrary to present public wide spread notion, it is not considered inevitable or irreversible, since it affects only half of the male population by the age of seventy five. In fact, a large percentage of erectile dysfunction cases can be efficiently managed with appropriately chosen treatment.
According to statistics that apply to Northern Americans and Europeans, it is impressive that over the last fifteen years the number of men seeking treatment for impotence through psychotherapy, surgery, technical means and, especially, medication has increased by 340%.
Whether the cause is psychological, physical or both will determine the method or the means for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. The goal of impotence treatment is to cure the sexual disorder and to restore the patient's self-esteem.
Psychological support and therapy for impotence.
When psychological factors are involved in the development of erectile dysfunction, a sex counselor's or psychologist's help may be necessary. The specialist will devote a series of therapeutic sessions, working with the patient himself and with the couple, as well. The purpose of the treatment is to reveal and address the precise causative factor, including any marital problems. The next stage of the treatment involves the improvement of man's self-confidence, the break of performance anxiety vicious cycles, the reestablishment of communication and the reduction of tension among partners. In order the psychological therapy for impotence to be successful, the couple have to be open-minded, understanding and prepared to set realistic sexual expectations. Quite often, psychotherapy is combined with medical or surgical treatment of erectile dysfunction.
Medical treatment of impotence.
Medications are the first option, when it comes to treatment of erectile dysfunction, since they are easily administered. In fact, certain drugs can be proved very helpful, providing they are taken, according a physician's guidelines. However, such drugs may not be suitable for some men and perhaps an alternative impotence treatment may be more effective and safer.
Vasodilators are a group of medications, prescribed for treatment of impotence, with similar pharmacological properties and side-effects. These agents make the relevant penile smooth muscle to relax and allow adequate amount of blood to flow through the vessel system into the penis, causing or improving an erection. The blood vessel system that is effected is referred to as corpora cavernosa.
Vasodilators include alprostadil (Caverject, Muse) and selective enzyme inhibitors, such as sildenafil (Viagra), vardenafil Hcl (Levitra) and tadalafil (Cialis). Most of these agents are prescribed to be taken once a day. Selective enzyme inhibitors should not be combined with medications for high blood pressure, angina or benign prostate hyperplasia treatment and definitely they must not be used, without a healthcare provider's advice. Click the above links for more information about each drug or for guidance how to find it online.
Mechanical treatment of impotence.
Vacuum devices are a reliable option and they can be used for management of erectile dysfunction, especially, in patients who are not allowed to use any of the above drugs because of their medical history or of other medications they take. Click the above link to find more information about these sexual aids and guidance how to find them online.
Surgical treatment of impotence.
When the results of other methods and means are poor, surgical treatment of erectile dysfunction may be the last option. In such cases, a device can be implanted. The procedure is referred to as penile prosthesis, and it aims to provide a simulation of erection. The most common implants are either a special bar that results in permanently rigid penis or an inflatable balloon which can be activated with a small pump and cause an "erection", according to the patient's decision. |
