Erectile dysfunction (erectile dysfunction) - symptoms and treatment

Which doctor to contact

In case of erectile dysfunction, you should consult a urologist-andrologist. Self-treatment is unacceptable, as this can significantly worsen the condition.

Oral phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors for the treatment of erectile dysfunction

Phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors, which have an effect on nitric oxide, have made a real revolution in the treatment of potency disorders. This substance prevents the decrease in the tone of the veins of the penis and, therefore, improves erection. The name of the miraculous drug "Viagra" was prepared a long time ago and has been waiting in the wings for several years. This soft and pleasant name translates as "the power of the huge Niagara Falls." The hour came in 1993, when the American company Pfizer accidentally discovered an outstanding side effect of a new blood pressure drug, sildenafil citrate. The drug was very quickly introduced into wide clinical practice and won first place among the many pharmacological agents for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. New generations of PDE-5 inhibitors followed. These drugs increased the clinical effect and minimized side effects. First of all, these are Levitra (vardenafil) and Cialis (tadalafil). The drugs can improve erection in many forms of erectile dysfunction, even with low levels of testosterone in the blood of men.11

Other medications for treating erectile dysfunction

Now a little about raising the level of testosterone in the body. Research in this area has been going on for many decades, but a real breakthrough has still not happened. Testosterone does not want to accumulate in the male body, in addition, the drugs are expensive and have many side effects. Of these, we can distinguish "Nebido" - a medicine for intramuscular injection and "Androgel", which must be rubbed daily into the skin. The active use of testosterone and anabolic steroids is complicated by the widespread use of this group of drugs in bodybuilding and other power sports, which makes it impossible to fully control their use and distribution.12

Psychotherapy

In most forms of erectile dysfunction, psychosexual therapy is of great importance, as well as lifestyle correction, elimination or reduction of adverse life factors. For advice, you should contact a psychotherapist.

Mechanical devices for the treatment of erectile dysfunction

A certain role in the treatment of erectile dysfunction is played by vacuum constrictor therapy (VOC-therapy). The main mechanism of this type of therapy is to create a negative pressure (vacuum) on the cavernous bodies of the penis with the help of special devices. Vacuum devices provide adequate erection in 60% of cases.14

Surgical treatment of erectile dysfunction

Surgical treatment for erectile dysfunction is used when conservative means have been exhausted:

• the creation of an anastomosis (anastomosis) between the epigastric artery and the lateral artery of the phallus is performed when this artery is narrowed;
• operations on the veins of the penis are performed when the veno-occlusive apparatus is disturbed;
• penile prosthesis (implantation of prostheses) is the final step in the treatment of erectile dysfunction when other methods are ineffective. This technique allows you to achieve results (full erection) in 70-80% of cases.15

Shock wave therapy (SWT), magnetic laser therapy (MLT), ozone therapy and prostate massage have no proven clinical efficacy in the treatment of erectile dysfunction and the reasons for their use are purely commercial.

Diet and physical activity

A balanced diet and physical activity play an important role in the prevention and treatment of erectile dysfunction.

Physical exercises are aimed at improving blood circulation in the pelvic organs in a man (especially in people with a sedentary lifestyle), improving blood flow to the penis and testicles, where testosterone is produced, which is necessary for a full erection.

The exercises are the simplest: walking - at least 6 thousand steps a day, squats (at least 50 times a day). A good effect was shown by the urological complex of respiratory gymnastics Strelnikova. Some exercises from yoga practice are also used: janu shirshasana, paschimotanasana, uttanasana, baddha konasana, dhanurasana.

Massage

For treatment and prevention, massage of the pelvic and pubic areas is quite effective. Massage perfectly activates the vascular tone of the male genital organs.

Treatment with folk remedies

A variety of herbal preparations are interesting in terms of mild stimulation and accumulation of their own testosterone. These are Altai "Red Root", African "Vuka-Vuka" and "Yohimbe", Thai "Butea Superba" and other natural remedies.However, the effectiveness ratio of these agents is unclear, and clinical trials have not been carried out in the proper volume.13