Latest ED Treatment: New Treatments Available – Introduction
A number of advancements in the Erectile Dysfunction treatment industry over the years, has produced various new therapies which aim to offer improved lives to these afflicted individuals. It means that you cannot get or maintain a proper erection for sex and millions of men around the world suffer from it. There weren’t many therapies for ED until recently, but thanks to the latest innovation in medical science, there are treatments that work. In this article, we discuss the new treatments for ED, their effectiveness, and how they may affect the lives of ED sufferers.
Oral Medications
The most well-known, widely used ED prescriptions are oral. For such treatment efficiency, Viagra, Cialis and Levitra are household names. They are part of a class of drugs called phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors, and they promote increased blood flow to the penis to maintain an erection.
Over the course of more than two decades, these medications have developed a pretty good safety record, with many men reporting them as effective. But they do have their boundaries. Most of its side effects are mild, including headaches, flushing, and dizziness. They are also subject to conditions and drugs that prohibit their use altogether, and patients should always seek advice from their physicians before starting them.
Topical Medications
Topical drugs are brand-new treatments for erectile dysfunction — more so than mouthwash. These are creams, gels, or sprays applied to the penis. They work like any oral pill by bringing blood to the spot, erecting an erection, but they have some very different benefits.
An additional advantage of topical products is that, compared to oral medications, they can have fewer side effects because the medication is delivered right where you need it. They can also be combined with oral drugs, as their combination effect sometimes serves to increase the general therapy’s effectiveness. For some patients, however, minor side effects such as itchiness are common. So, you should discuss this with the doctor so that you can make a treatment decision.
Shock Wave Therapy
Shockwave therapy has become a safe option in recent years for patients with erectile dysfunction. The treatment is groundbreaking, and it involves low-intensity shockwaves to promote the creation of new blood vessels in the penis, improving erectile function. It was shown in medical research to be effective in helping patients obtain and maintain an erection.
Clinical shockwave therapy usually comes in a course of sessions and is a relatively safe, minimally-adverse procedure, with side-effects that can be limited to the pain from the actual treatment. Additionally, for many patients, it can be mixed with other therapies to potentially increase success. Men who have conditions, like heart disease, may not need it and thus a proper medical checkup is done prior to it.
Penile Implants
Penile implants or penile prostheses are devices placed in the pit of the penis for the purpose of an erection. The devices are typically prescribed to men who haven’t tolerated other ED therapies. Penile implants can be inflatable or semi-rigid rods. Floating implants give you complete control over when and how long you get a man, and semi-rigid rods hold the penis in place all the time.
The process of placing a penile implant typically takes 1-2 hours and it is done under anaesthesia. The surgeon cuts a hole in the penis and inserts the implant. Patients may experience a slight amount of pain and swelling following the procedure, which can be numbened with medication. Penile implants are very successful, and around 90% of patients are happy with the procedure.
Gene Therapy
ED therapy uses an emerging and promising approach to gene therapy – that is, introducing genes into the body to correct genetic defects or bring about a therapeutic effect. In the case of ED, gene therapy would grow new blood vessels in the penis, thus increasing blood flow and promoting an erection.
There is still plenty of work to be done, but preliminary research appears to be promising. In one experiment, researchers implanted a gene through a virus in the penile tissues of ED rats. The gene triggered the development of new blood vessels, and the rats were able to get erections. Another study used gene therapy to restore nerve cell activity in the ED rats’ penis and had similar results.
Gene therapy has potential for ED, but it’s still in its infancy. It would take more studies to assess whether the technique is safe and effective in humans.
Lifestyle Changes and Alternative Therapies
Obviously, lifestyle changes can be a big part of erectile dysfunction, but there will always be medical interventions. Regular exercise, diet and weight maintenance help increase blood flow and help reduce the risk of most ED-causing conditions. More significantly, behavioural interventions such as CBT and sex therapy enable men to manage the psychological element of ED, driven almost entirely by performance anxiety.
Telemedicine for ED Management: The Future of Medicine?
With the growing acceptance of more virtualized approaches to healthcare, treatment for ED has followed this lead. Men can consult doctors, order drugs online, and thus get solutions for managing their ailments from the home. This allows those who might be ashamed to move on and receive treatments across geographic lines.
Conclusion: Latest ED Treatment: New Treatments Available
In short, the latest developments in ED treatment paved the way for a menu of therapeutic options for ED male patients. From oral drugs to gene therapy, different effective cures can be found today which can increase erectile function and improve patients’ quality of life. Nonetheless, one must always consult with a physician himself to decide what is the best solution for him, individually, given his individual needs and history. Added research in the area and continued medical advances will provide us with more powerful and novel approaches to ED treatment in the future.
