Erectile dysfunction affects millions of men worldwide. The risk of this illness usually increases with age. It is the failure to obtain or sustain an erection that is sufficient for sexual intercourse. More elders are at risk for ED due to ageing and the natural progression of chronic disease. Fortunately, there are very few successful treatments for ED and people over 65 can have normal and satisfying sexual lives. In this article, we examine the best treatments for erectile dysfunction in older adults.
1. Oral Medications
PDE5 inhibitors are oral, first-line ED medications. In some, these medications aim to stimulate blood flow to the penis in order to induce an erection. The most commonly used oral contraceptives for ED are Viagra (sildenafil), Cialis (tadalafil) and Levitra (vardenafil).
Research has shown that these drugs are particularly successful with older adults, with rates of success of 60–70%. They are typically harmless and well tolerated, but their most common side effects are headache, flushing, and nose irritation. They need to be used with great caution, however, because these can become extremely dangerous when used in combination with nitrates or alpha-blockers due to their tendency to lead to very low blood pressure.
2. Vacuum Devices
Vacuum erection machines are non-invasive, mechanical contraptions that produce an erection. These devices place a hollow tube on the penis through which a pump creates a vacuum and draws blood into the penis to give you an erection. A squeezing band is put on at the base to hold the man in place.
VEDs are typically indicated for men who would rather have alternatives other than medication, or if they are contraindications to the alternatives. These are highly effective and relatively safe, even for older people, and they tend to have few adverse effects. For some men, though awkward and slightly less spontaneous than other options, VEDs are another practical and efficient way of achieving and maintaining erections.
3. Injections
For men in whom oral pills or vacuums don’t do the trick, penile injections are a good alternative. In most cases, the drug of choice to be injected into the penis is alprostadil. It’s a vasodilator that increases blood flow and gives a man an erection.
Perhaps the best aspect of injections with alprostadil is that they really work- 80-85% of men over 60 say they do. It is also a treatment that can be easily and painlessly administered at home in privacy.
But this has to be balanced with the possibility that injections can cause many side effects, including pain, swelling and scarring at the site of the injection. All of these disadvantages aside, in men whom other treatments haven’t worked, injections can offer great relief and sexual regain.
4. Testosterone Replacement Therapy
Testosterone is one of the most crucial hormones for male sexual function and health. It diminishes slowly over the ageing process, and is one of the causes of insufficient sexual motivation, low sexual performance and impotence. For clinically low testosterone, also known as hypogonadism, TRT could be one of the most successful therapies for men in their 70s and beyond.
You can administer it via injections, patches, gels and pellets. Its outcome with regulated hormones should translate into enhanced sexual function, increased energy, and improved mood. But only after consulting a physician, since not everyone is suited for TRT, nor does it eliminate potential side effects this treatment brings-one of which is a risk of cardiovascular problems.
5. Psychotherapy
It is easy to miss out the psychological origins of erectile dysfunction that are among the key causes of the condition. Stress, anxiety, depression and stress all increase ED symptoms and reduce sexual function. Psychotherapy, or talk therapy loosely speaking, assists the mature adult in resolving the emotional or psychological problems that might be impeding a healthy sexual life.
CBT is typically used to help clients recognize and modify certain negative thoughts and emotions that they are having in their ED. Couples therapy can also be beneficial if one or both partners wish to understand each other more fully when they experience a sexual issue. The professional psychotherapist will provide a safe space where you’ll share emotions and frustrations and learn how to manage them until you feel close and sexually fulfilled.
6. Lifestyle Changes
But besides medical interventions, lifestyle adjustments can also lead to better erectile performance in older people. These include weight management, quitting smoking, limiting alcohol intake, and treating chronic conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure. Exercise has also been shown to help men in their 60s achieve better erectile function by increasing blood circulation and lowering stress and anxiety.
7. Surgery
If none of these has worked and gentler therapies and lifestyle modifications haven’t yielded satisfactory outcomes, surgery becomes a last resort. The penile prosthetic insertion option includes devices implanted by surgeons in order for men to have and keep an erection. It’s invasive, but it’s a treatment option for people who constantly experience sexual impotence and may have tried the alternatives.
Conclusion:
There are, in short, several effective erectile dysfunction treatments for the elderly. Oral medication, vacuum machines, injections, testosterone replacement, psychotherapy and lifestyle modification have all been proven to restore erectile function to the old man. As you get older, get medical advice as to the best course of action for your own health. If the elderly are treated properly, then they can continue to live their sexual lives in a comfortable way.
