Erectile Dysfunction treatment will mainly depend on the cause of the problem. For instance, men with hormonal deficiency may require testosterone supplements. However, the cause is usually lack of adequate penile blood circulation as a result of damage to inner walls of blood vessels. In particular, it is often associated with men who have hypertension. Most treatments (with the exception of testosterone supplementation) work on a temporary basis – they enable an erection to be attained and maintained long enough for intercourse, but do not permanently improve the underlying condition. There are several different treatments available:

Alprostadil

Alprostadil is a penile suppository (a drug delivery system that is inserted into the urethra where it dissolves). It works within ten minutes after insertion into the urethra and is able to maintain erection for 30-60 minutes. Alprostadil is sold in the United States under the brand name Muse. The other names are Caverject and Edex. This drug is not as popular as Viagra because of the invasive means of delivery.

BEFAR

BEFAR is a cream that is applied directly onto the penis. Due to the limited area of it’s application, the complications are less severe. The major side effects are limited to transient warm and burning sensation. It is currently only commercially available in the far east. Befar has demonstrated a clinical efficacy of up to 83% in patients with varying degrees of ED. The cream itself has an onset action of 10-15 minutes and can continue on past four hours.

Do Vacuum Pumps (Penis Pump) Work?

According to the American Urological Association, they do work. It is a low cost treatment for erectile dysfunction. Vacuum pumps work by drawing blood into the penis and should be used just before sexual intercourse. The device is made up of a pumping mechanism (looks like a squeeze ball) and an acrylic tube that surrounds the penis. Most men do not like using the device because it’s cumbersome and requires a lot of effort to use. Also, most men report their penis as cold or numb and would make it feel spongy and semi-flaccid. Penis pumps can be purchased over the Internet or available over the counter. Some of these products are marketed as a penis enlargement device. Medical literature, however, doesn’t support this advice and overuse of the pump can damage the penis. If you apply too much pressure, it may cause very serious and permanent tissue damage. Always check with reputable sources about of repetition and pressure you should use for the device.

Hormone Treatment

Hormone treatment is rare. Men can prescribe hormones to treat their erection problems. Other factors need to be investigated before it is prescribed to the man.

Surgery

This is the very last resort if all other treatment fails. The most common type of  procedure is prosthetic implants. The procedure involves the insertion of artificial rods into the penis. The prosthesis should have the following features:

1. Rigid, semi-rigid and malleable rods. Each produces varying
degrees of rigidity.

2. Inflatable prostheses
- Multi-component inflatable prosthesis. It is the most popular because it gives the best appearance when erect and is the softest when deflated.
- Self contained inflatable prosthesis
If you develop complications after surgery, the results can be disastrous. Bacteria and particles can easily form around the prosthesis causing severe infections. Treating infection is costly and may be more expensive than the surgery itself.

PDE5 Inhibitors

PDE5 Inhibitors are a class of drugs that stimulates smooth muscle relaxation in the blood vessels supplying the corpus cavernosum (penis) which results in increased blood flow and an erection. Sildenafil (Viagra), tadalafil (Cialis) and vardenafil (Lavitra) are all PDE5 Inhibitors. These drugs are clinically proven to improve erectile Dysfunction. If you have severe hypertension, do not take these drugs until you speak to your doctor.

Counseling

If a psychological (mental) problem is suspected, counseling can help you overcome your difficulty.

Source: Wikipedia.org