Pros and Cons of Popular Impotence Treatments

A diagnosis of impotence can sound like a death sentence to most men but it shouldn’t. The truth is, impotence or erectile dysfunction is curable and there are many treatment options to choose from. These include medications, mechanical devices, and surgery.

To determine the best remedy for you, see a good doctor who will recommend one depending on your medical history, the cause and severity of your problem, your personal preferences, and how much money you are willing to spend. Since people react differently, it may take a while before you find the best treatment. Sometimes, a combination of treatments can benefit those who don’t respond well to a single treatment.

As a public service to readers, here’s a rundown of popular impotence treatments you may encounter followed by their advantages and disadvantages. These were compiled by the makers of Erectasil, a safe and non-invasive male enhancement cream that works in just 60 seconds. For more information, visit http://erectasil.com.

Oral medications – Viagra (sildenafil) was the first impotence pill to be approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This was later followed by Levitra (vardenafil) and Cialis (tadalafil). Known as phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitors, these drugs are usually taken an hour before sex and enhance the effects of nitric oxide, a chemical that relaxes smooth muscles in the penis and allows increased blood flow for erections to occur.

Unlike injections that cause instant erections, these drugs produce an erection only after physical and psychological stimulation. While these drugs are similar, they vary in dosage, duration of effectiveness, and side effects. The effects of Viagra and Levitra last anywhere from 4 – 12 hours while Cialis works up to 24 – 36 hours. None should be used more than once a day.

“Although these medications can help many people, not all men can or should take them to treat erectile dysfunction. If you've had a heart attack, stroke or life-threatening heart rhythm during the last six months, don't take these medications. If you've been told that sexual activity could trigger a cardiac event, discuss other options with your doctor. In addition, don't take Viagra, Levitra or Cialis with nitrate medications, such as the heart drugs nitroglycerin (Nitro-Bid, others), isosorbide mononitrate (Imdur) and isosorbide dinitrate (Isordil). The combination of these medications, which work to widen (dilate) blood vessels, can cause dizziness, low blood pressure, and circulation and heart problems,” warned the MayoClinic.Com.

Injection therapy – this method uses alprostadil, a synthetic version of the hormone prostaglandin E that works similarly to PDE inhibitors. It is injected into the side or base of the penis using a fine needle that produces very little pain. Erection occurs in five to 20 minutes and lasts for an hour. The downside? This treatment can be expensive and may produce adverse side effects like bleeding and priapism (long and painful erections). To cut costs, alprostadil can be mixed with other drugs like papaverine hydrochloride and phentolamine.

Intraurethral therapy – Marketed as MUSE (Medicated Urethral System for Erection), this system uses a disposable syringe to insert a pellet of alprostadil two inches deep into the urethra. The pellet is about half the size of a grain of rice. Once absorbed by tissues in the penis, the drug increases blood flow, producing an erection in 8 to 10 minutes that lasts for 30 minutes to an hour. The bad news: although needles aren’t involved, the procedure can be painful and uncomfortable.

“The most common side effects are aching in the penis, testicles, and area between the penis and rectum; warmth or burning sensation in the urethra; redness from increased blood flow to the penis; and minor urethral bleeding or spotting, according to the National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse.

Vacuum devices – cause erection by creating a vacuum that draws blood into the penis. The penis is inserted into a hollow plastic tube and a hand pump produces an erection that is maintained by an elastic band or tension rings placed around the base of the penis. The band is removed after intercourse. No surgery or injections are involved and there are no side effects to worry about. Moreover, this device can be used anytime. Still, it may not be for everyone.

“Using a vacuum device involves a mechanical process. They generally take from 5 to 10 minutes to set up, so they can interfere with foreplay. The body shapes of some men can make it difficult to apply these devices. Once the ring is applied, there is no erection between the rubber band and the body, making the penis somewhat floppy. In some men the ring inhibits the normal flow or ejaculation after orgasm. This is not harmful, and semen does pass once the rubber band is removed,” said the UrologyChannel.Com.