Finding the right solution
Your doctor or nurse may be able to suggest the most appropriate treatment during your very first appointment. But no particular treatment is best for everyone. There are various options available to you, so if you’re unsure that a particular treatment will suit you, then say so.
For most people, ED treatment in the form of tablets is the most convenient answer.
The tablets are called PDE5 inhibitors. They act by helping to relax the blood vessels in the penis and allowing blood to flow into it, so an erection can occur.
However, there are differences between types of tablets, so talk to your GP about which one will be most suitable for you. All of them require sexual stimulation in order to attain an erection, so sex occurs naturally and without intrusion
Some ED cases are due to hormonal imbalances, known as Testosterone Deficiency Syndrome. This can be treated with a variety of testosterone replacement methods.
Your GP may diagnose that emotional or psychological factors may be a cause of your erection difficulties. If this is the case, you may be referred for sexual or relationship therapy so that you can look more into the root of the problem.
A vacuum is created by the pump, causing the penis to fill with blood and harden, producing an erection. The vacuum device consists of a plastic cylinder and a pump which could be hand or battery operated. The penis is inserted into the cylinder and a vacuum is created by the pump, causing the penis to fill with blood and harden, producing an erection. A tension band is then placed around the end of the penis to keep the erection hard and the pump is removed.
Transurethral treatments are inserted into the urethra (the tube through which you pass urine). This involves either you or your partner inserting a small pellet into the urethra. The treatment is then absorbed through the wall of the urethra and directly into the erectile tissue.
Intracavernosal injections involve you (once taught by your GP or nurse) injecting a drug directly into the shaft of the penis when you want to achieve an erection. The procedure is relatively simple to learn and there are several different treatments available that can be introduced in this way.
There are two types of surgery for erection problems. Penile prosthesis is usually carried out when all other treatments have failed. This involves the surgical insertion of either a semi-rigid rod or an inflatable implant in to the penis. The other type is vascular surgery. This is carried out in cases where the erectile dysfunction is caused by a vascular problem.