Many men dealing with erectile dysfunction choose to take an oral medication like Viagra, because it’s the simplest solution. Viagra is taken on-demand, so when a man is ready to have sex he simply takes a pill.
While taking medication is hassle-free, there are other treatment options for erectile dysfunction. Here’s a look at some of the other options:
Penis Pump
A pump creates an erection by drawing blood to the penis through a vacuum-like motion. A tube is placed over the penis and is pumped with a hand pump. A band is then placed around the base of the penis to keep the erection.
“Obviously this isn’t the most spontaneous thing,” says Tobias Kohler, M.D., assistant professor of urology at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine.
While spontaneity is lost, pumps are said to work in 90% of men, and insurance typically covers up to 80% of the costs. It’s one of few options that are covered by insurance companies.
Penile injections
Men can self-administer an injection at the base of their penis to induce an erection. The needles are small, and according to doctors, only registers a 1 or 2 on the pain scale.
However, the biggest complaint with injections is the burning sensation in the penis as the drug takes effect. The pain level here varies.
Penile suppositories
Suppositories were invented to avoid using needles on the penis. The suppository, which is the size of a grain of rice, is placed inside the head of the penis.
It usually only takes 5 to 10 minutes for the suppository to work, which is actually faster than oral medications like Viagra, which are said to take at least 30 minutes to work.
While the suppositories work quickly, the downside is that they only work in 20 to 30% of men.
Surgical implant
An implant is an invasive option, but it does come with high satisfaction ratings.
“Ninety-five percent of prostheses implanted in men in the United States are pump-and-chamber devices in which the man activates a pump — via a discrete subdermal push button in the scrotum — that fills his penis with sterile saline from a reservoir implanted along with the pump,” according to a description found on AARP.
There are multiple options to treat ED. In the end, every man should do research and select the treatment option that’s best.
We specialize in providing our over 1,000,000 customers with relevant product and condition information created by our professional editorial staff which includes our team of medical writers, medical practitioners, and health educators. eDrugStore.com Staff on Facebook