Erectile dysfunction, or ED, is the most common sexual problem that men report to their doctor. In fact, over 30 million men in the United States, alone, suffer from erectile dysfunction.

Though it’s not rare for a man to have some problems with erections from time to time, ED that is progressive or happens routinely with sex is not normal and should be treated.

You can use our quick IIEF-5 Score Quiz to find out how severe your erectile dysfunction is here.

When it comes to the treatment options for ED, there are various options to consider, depending on the severity of your ED and any underlying conditions. 

In this article, we’ll go through a few of the most common treatment options for ED, and the differences among them, to help you make the best decision for you and your partner.

Traditional ED Treatment Options

Non-invasive ways of therapy for ED have traditionally been recommended initially, however, it is still a good idea to ask your doctor about the potential side effects of each alternative from the very beginning. The most common treatment options for ED include:

• Oral drugs or pills known as phosphodiesterase type-5 (PDE5) inhibitors
• Penile Injections
• Penile Implant Surgery

Pills

PDE5 inhibitors, such as sildenafil (Viagra), tadalafil (Cialis), and vardenafil (Levitra), are used to dilate the corpora cavernosa of the penis, allowing for a more satisfactory erection during sexual stimulation.

Although Viagra, Levitra, and Cialis are effective, they do have drawbacks, as do other drugs. They are not recommended for persons who are using nitrates or alpha-blockers. When used with some alpha-blockers, they may cause a rapid decrease in blood pressure, resulting in dizziness or faintness. Headache is a relatively frequent ADR, affecting more than 10% of patients. Other typical adverse reactions include nausea, vomiting, back pain, muscular pains, dizziness, flushing, stuffy or runny nose, rapid decline or loss of eyesight, and sudden hearing loss. 

Penile Injections

The three main types of medications used in penile injection therapy are papaverine, phentolamine, and alprostadil. Sometimes only one medication is given. Combinations of these medications, on the other hand, are widely used. 

There is a minor risk of bleeding or bruising at the injection site, as with any sort of injection. Some individuals may experience little pain after injection. Penile injections can occasionally induce fainting, dizziness, and low blood pressure. Priapism, or a prolonged erection that occurs without or after sexual stimulation, can occur in rare cases.

Penile Implant Surgery

The surgery involves inserting inflatable or flexible rods into the penis under either spinal or general anesthesia. The incision is made in the lower abdomen, at the base of the penis, or just below the head of the penis. The tissue in the penis is then stretched, which is generally filled with blood during an erection. After that, the implant is inserted into the penis.

Pain relievers may be required for several days or weeks after the surgery. Antibiotics are typically recommended to reduce the likelihood of infection.

Infection, implant problems (the implants may malfunction, and surgery may be required to remove, repair, or replace a broken implant), internal erosion or adhesion (in some cases, an implant may stick to the skin inside the penis or wear away the skin from inside the penis) are all risks of penile implant surgery.

New ED Treatment Options

While most erectile dysfunction therapies merely mask the symptoms, a relatively newer therapy on the market, known as acoustic wave therapy, uses all-natural low-intensity sound waves to target erectile dysfunction at its root cause.

As demonstrated recently on The Doctors, acoustic wave therapy uses low-intensity sound waves to stimulate and rejuvenate the blood cells, as well as clear away plaque in the penis in order to restore its innate functionality.

The therapy has been used in the United States since the 1980s, however, it has been successfully used for a number of studies in Europe for decades.

This process uses sound waves to begin to stimulate changes and tissue regeneration within the body. Using non-invasive, low-intensity acoustic waves result in new formation of blood vessels a.k.a. neovascularization. These new blood vessel formation inside a penis improve blood flow encouraging stronger and longer erections. Acoustic wave therapy can also promote natural and spontaneous erections.

The regimen itself is pain free, non-invasive and comes with zero known side effects. Normal activities can be resumed immediately after the session. The fast, non-invasive session takes just 15- minutes to complete.

You can find out more about acoustic wave therapy and find your nearest location here.

Comparing Treatment Options for ED

Erectile dysfunction is a common condition, with numerous treatments available. However, wave therapy is the only FDA cleared regimen where pills and surgery are not necessary — giving you relief from erectile dysfunction without the harmful side effects and downtime.

Which ED Treatment Is Right for You?

The best ED treatment option for you will depend on a number of factors, including severity of ED, underlying conditions, and your personal preference.

We strongly recommend speaking with your doctor and partner to decide the best course of action for you.

If interested in learning more about acoustic wave therapy, you can book a complimentary consultation at one of our friendly WaveTech offices.

To find your nearest WaveTech Therapy location and book your complimentary visit, you can visit our location page here.

“I feel like the clock has been turned back. I’m over 50yo and in my opinion, every man my age could use a tune-up. No pills, no needles, and better yet – no surgery.”

– Steve M. WaveTech Therapy Client