Oral medications are among the most common treatments for erectile dysfunction (ED), yet these medications offer no guarantees. For example, recent research indicates 69% of men who used oral medications for ED continued to experience ED symptoms after treatment. Other research shows 48% of men experienced one or more side effects after using sildenafil (Viagra) to treat ED.
Ultimately, various treatments enable men to address ED without medication. These treatments include:
Diet and Lifestyle Changes
There is a strong correlation between mental and physical health and sexual function. As such, men sometimes treat ED with a series of diet and lifestyle changes, such as:
- Losing Weight: Excess weight puts additional pressure on the cardiovascular system. It can also disrupt the flow of blood to the penis, making it difficult for men to get or maintain erections.
- Maintaining a Balanced Diet: Eating fruits, vegetables, grains, and other healthy foods as part of a balanced diet lowers the risk of vascular problems due to high cholesterol, high blood sugar, and being overweight, all of which have been linked to ED.
- Avoiding Alcohol and Nicotine: Men who consume alcohol or nicotine are more susceptible than others to ED. Therefore, avoiding alcohol and nicotine often helps men stop or prevent ED.
- Minimizing Stress: Limiting stress helps men boost their testosterone levels, and as a result, overcome or avoid ED.
- Exercising Regularly: Exercise helps men simultaneously reduce stress and increase their testosterone levels. Also, an exercise regimen can be used in conjunction with a healthy diet to prevent ED.
- Getting Sufficient Rest: A lack of restful sleep can interfere with a man’s sexual performance. In fact, studies show men who suffer from sleep apnea improved their erectile function after they started using a CPAP breathing machine at night.
Diet and lifestyle changes may be ideal to treat ED if the blood vessels in the penis start to deteriorate. In this scenario, one or more of the aforementioned diet and lifestyle changes may help improve blood flow to the penis.
Counseling
Emotional and psychological factors sometimes cause ED. Fortunately, counseling may help men alleviate stress, anxiety, and other emotional or psychological issues that contribute to ED.
Additionally, strife and dissatisfaction in an intimate relationship can negatively impact a man’s libido and his ability to get aroused, leading to ED. In this situation, relationship counseling may prove to be beneficial for a man and his partner. It enables a man to communicate with his partner to identify the root cause of his ED. Plus, relationship counseling may help a man overcome ED caused by stress.
Penis Pumps
A “penis pump” or Vacuum Erectile Device is a device that allows a man to get and maintain an erection. It usually consists of an acrylic cylinder with a pump that attaches directly to the end of the penis. The pump also includes a constriction ring on the other end of the cylinder that is applied directly to the body.
With a penis pump, a man uses the device’s cylinder and pump to help the penis become erect. Next, the constriction ring helps a man maintain an erection during sexual intercourse.
A penis pump is sometimes recommended for men who are dealing with ED caused by diabetes, prostate or colon cancer surgery, poor blood flow to the penis, or emotional or psychological issues. It is not intended for use by men who are dealing with a congenital blood disorder or any condition that exposes them to priapism (a prolonged erection that may last several hours).
Shockwave Therapy
Low intensity shockwave therapy (LISWT), aka PulseWave or Gainswave, is a revolutionary, non-invasive ED treatment requiring no medication. It helps men treat erections that are too soft or too brief for penetration, as well as improve the quality of their erections.
Shockwave therapy for ED uses pulsating sound waves to treat ED. These sound waves improve blood flow to the penis, along with remove micro-plaque, boost the growth of new blood vessels, and repair damaged blood vessels.
An illustration of how low-intensity shockwave treatment works for erectile dysfunction
PulseWave may be used on its own to treat ED, or it may be used in combination with other ED treatments. Shockwave therapy has been clinically proven to rehabilitate penile tissue without any unwanted side effects, and most LISWT patients report enhancement and restoration of erectile function following treatment.
Research shows 70% of men who experienced ED reported a positive effect with shockwave therapy after only six treatment sessions (twice per week). Among these men, 92% recorded a positive response to LISWT for one year after their initial treatment. Furthermore, 55% maintained a positive response to LISWT for two years after their initial treatment.
Book an ED Treatment Consultation at Comprehensive Urology
ED is one of the most common sex problems that men report to their doctors. Research indicates up to 30 million American men deal with erectile dysfunction, and more than half of these men experience ED at some point in their lives. However, only 33% of men seek treatment for ED – despite the fact that many safe, effective ED treatments are available.
At Comprehensive Urology in Los Angeles, our team of courteous, knowledgeable urologists takes the guesswork out of ED treatment. We meet with patients, analyze their symptoms, and offer personalized diagnoses and treatments. Our team also works with patients throughout ED treatments, ensuring these individuals can address their symptoms both now and in the future. To find out more about how our team can help you treat ED, please contact us today at (310) 499-2756 to schedule a consultation with one of our urologists.