Erection Problems (Erectile Dysfunction)
Other Treatment
Other treatments for erection problems (erectile dysfunction) include vacuum devices and counseling (psychotherapy).
Other Treatment Choices
- Vacuum devices are useful for all types of erection problems—physical, psychological, or both. The device has a tube you place around the penis. You pump the device to create a vacuum that leads to an erection. Then you place a band around the base of the penis to maintain the erection for up to 30 minutes.
- Counseling (psychotherapy) is recommended for men whose erection problems are caused, at least in part, by psychological factors. Psychological factors seem to be involved in many cases of erection problems. Treatment may include sex therapy, which focuses on methods to improve attitudes toward sex and specific sexual techniques. Counseling also may be used with medication treatment or vacuum devices for erection problems that have psychological and physical causes. Evidence shows that group therapy helps with erection problems in some men. Adding group therapy to treatment with sildenafil (Viagra) helped more than Viagra alone. Men who were taking part in group therapy also were more likely to keep taking their medicine.8
Although medicines are usually the main treatment for erection problems, some men try complementary therapies. If you don't want to use medicine, or medicine doesn't work for you, you may want to talk with your doctor about some of the following options. Most of these treatments need more research before doctors can know if they work for sure.9
- Acupuncture may work for some men with erection problems.
- Ginseng has been shown to work for some men with erection problems. But because it is sold as a dietary supplement, it is hard to know if you are getting the right amount.
- Some men take the amino acid L-arginine as a dietary supplement to try to treat erection problems. The amino acid increases the amount of nitric oxide in the blood, which relaxes blood vessels. In theory, L-arginine could improve erections. But L-arginine may be harmful.10
- Although the antidepressant medicine trazodone has been used for treating erection problems, there is no current evidence that it is effective for this purpose.1
- Some men who have low zinc levels in their body have had success using zinc supplements to treat erection problems. But high doses of zinc can be dangerous.
- Some men have tried yohimbine to treat erection problems, but it is rarely used.
What To Think About
No matter what approach you use to treat an erection problem, including your partner in the decision is helpful and may improve results.
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| Author: | Monica Rhodes | Last Updated: May 21, 2008 |
| Medical Review: | E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine Christopher G. Wood, MD, FACS - Urology/Oncology | |
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