Treating impotence – options for men and women

Treatment of impotence

There are several treatment options for impotence, all of which can increase potency and allow for a fulfilling sex life. Ultimately, however, treatment depends on the cause of the problem, which is why a visit to the doctor is recommended in the first place. Often hides a hidden disease, such as z.B. Diabetes or arteriosclerosis behind erectile problems to be treated first.

What erection aids are available?

There is help for erectile dysfunction, which makes it all the more important for a man to talk openly about his problem with his doctor.

The following treatment options are the most commonly used, depending on the cause of impotence:

– Psychotherapy,
– Oral medication,
– Cavernous Body Auto-Injection Therapy (SKAT),
– Transurethal application (MUSE®),
– Vacuum pump,
– Erectile tissue implant.

Talking to a therapist is considered by very few men as an erection remedy, but psychological factors play a major role in erection problems. Even purely organically caused impotence almost always leads to psychological problems, such as impaired self-esteem, which in turn exacerbate erectile dysfunction.

Oral drug therapy represents the simplest impotence treatment option. The PDE-5 inhibitors Cialis®, Levitra® and Viagra® offer help for psychological or organic erectile dysfunction by improving the strength and duration of erections.

In erectile tissue auto-injection therapy (SKAT), an erection-inducing agent is injected directly into the penis with a very thin needle. This is usually completely painless. In contrast to PDE-5 inhibitors, the effect of SKAT is independent of intact nerve pathways and can therefore also treat impotence caused by prostate surgery in which nerves have been damaged.

In transurethal application (MUSE®), the same erection-inducing agent as in SKAT is introduced into the urethra in the form of a mini-tablet with the aid of an applicator. Many men prefer this syringe-free erection aid.

The vacuum pump is probably the oldest help for erectile dysfunction. In this purely mechanical erection aid, the penis is placed in a clear plastic cylinder, in which a small hand or electric pump is then used to create a vacuum. As a result, blood flows into the corpora cavernosa and an erection is produced. Vacuum erection aid is often used for impotence treatment in diabetics, who often have nerve damage, and as an erection aid after prostate surgery.

Penile rings are helpful when patients can achieve an erection but have trouble maintaining it. The rings can also be applied after a penis pump has been used. Studies have shown that vibrators can also increase blood flow to the penis. This can especially help patients with back injuries.

If all other impotence treatments fail, then the last option left is erectile tissue implants. There are flexible and inflatable implants. In both cases, a plastic cylinder is inserted into each of the two erectile tissues of the penis, with the help of which an erection can be produced as needed. The operation does not affect the ability to orgasm and ejaculate, but it cannot be reversed.

What prescription medications are offered?

Orally taken medications, also known as PDE-5 inhibitors, are the most commonly chosen option for impotence treatment. Tablets are effective for most men and can be used as both short-term and long-term solutions. PDE-5 inhibitors work by allowing more blood to flow to the penis, making it easier to get and maintain an erection.

There are 3 medications that are purchased particularly often: Viagra, Cialis and Levitra. All of these medications for impotence are taken as needed. However, there are also other options such as Cialis Daily, which is taken daily as a long-term solution. Then there is Levitra Orodispersible, which can also be swallowed without water and is therefore particularly discreet.

How erectile dysfunction can be treated in young men?

Erectile dysfunction in young men is almost always psychological in nature. Therefore, impotence in young men is often treated with behavioral or talk therapy.

Patients should take time to talk to their doctor and their partner to find out if their impotence is emotional and caused by stress, for example. Therapy can be very effective in finding out where exactly the psychological problems lie.

Impotence may also be caused by problems in your relationship, in which case it is advisable to seek couples or sex counseling. This is how patients can find pleasure in sexual intercourse again.

Especially at a young age, men can often improve their potency by quitting smoking and limiting their alcohol intake. Alcohol, even in small quantities, can lead to potency problems, which is why even a short period of abstinence before sexual intercourse can promote potency.

How to treat impotence in old age?

Potency problems in old age are usually caused by arteriosclerosis, i.e. calcification of the blood vessels, which reduces blood flow to the corpus cavernosum of the penis and thus makes it difficult to achieve an erection.

Most often, medications are prescribed to treat impotence in old age. However, the PDE-5 inhibitors, such as z.B. Viagra should not be taken if the patient has to take certain antihypertensive heart medications.

Erectile dysfunction is often caused by drugs, because many drugs affect the blood flow to the penis. This often affects arteriosclerosis patients in particular. Under no circumstances, however, should patients reduce or discontinue their medications on their own authority. If necessary, the attending physician can prescribe a different medication without this side effect.

How to fix erection problems?

On the question of what can fix erection problems and increase potency, there are many answers.

The first step should always be to find out what the lack of potency is. Thus z.B. The doctor can find out whether there is an organic cause or whether the impotence has psychological causes. Depending on the situation, the doctor will suggest an appropriate treatment to remedy the erectile dysfunction.

Nevertheless, there are some things that every man can do to increase potency.

So what increases potency? As for health in general, a healthy body weight and normal blood pressure are extremely beneficial for potency as well. This can be achieved with a healthy diet and regular exercise. It is also important to consume alcohol in moderation and not to smoke.

Is impotence curable?

In most cases impotence cannot be cured, but in many cases effective treatment is possible, e.g. B. by medication. So living with impotence in no way precludes a fulfilling sex life.

While there is no cure for impotence, there are treatments for erectile dysfunction that can increase potency.

Erectile dysfunction: what can woman do?

Not only the man himself suffers from his impotence, but also his partners are affected. Not primarily because sexual contact is limited, but also because the partner often feels responsible for erection problems, especially when they occur suddenly and without warning.

So what can a woman do about her partner’s erectile dysfunction?? In the long run, the only thing that helps is to talk to each other, to be patient and not to blame each other. It is better to seek a change in the situation together. Often it also helps to talk about impotence and treatment together with the doctor.

Does zinc improve potency?

The question whether zinc can increase potency is asked very often. It can be answered with a yes only under certain circumstances, and that is if there is a zinc deficiency. Zinc is important for the production of testosterone. Testosterone, in turn, is essential for an erection. It is therefore possible to treat impotence caused by zinc deficiency with zinc.

Can impotence be treated with homeopathic potency remedies?

No, there is currently no effective homeopathic remedy for erectile dysfunction. Homeopathic sexual enhancers are just as ineffective as other homeopathic remedies. There is no solid evidence that they work better than placebos, which are dummy drugs that do not contain any active ingredients.

However, some men insist that homeopathy has helped them with impotence. In these cases there is a placebo effect, i.e. a short-term cure thanks to the patient’s positive expectations and a strong feeling of confidence, which often enables an increase in potency, especially in the case of psychological causes of impotence.

How to do an impotence test?

There is currently no universal impotence test that can easily and quickly determine whether a man is really impotent.

However, the urologist can test erectile dysfunction in different ways depending on the suspected cause. After the initial consultation, the doctor will in most cases examine the health of the cardiovascular system. This usually involves measuring their blood pressure and taking a blood sample. Patients over 50 usually undergo a digital rectal exam, where the doctor palpates the prostate to check for abnormal changes.

If the results of the previous examinations are inconclusive, the attending physician can perform an intracavernous injection test, in which an erection-inducing hormone is injected into the penis. Ultrasound examinations are often performed before and after the test, which allows the doctor to closely examine the blood vessels in the penis and their response to the injected hormone.

What are the operations and medical interventions?

Operations are rather unpopular when it comes to treating impotence. This is due to the immensely high costs and the risk associated with the procedure. Surgery involves inserting a splint or small rod into the shaft, which is then either lifted or inflated before intercourse occurs.

Another procedure is intracavernosal injection therapy, where the man has to inject alprostadil into the penis at home so that the erectile tissue can absorb more blood. Alprostadil can also be inserted into the urethra in pellet form.

Which treatment suits me?

Impotence is a very common problem that many men have to deal with. Fortunately, there are a number of treatments that can be used to cure erectile dysfunction. In order to find the right medication, it is important for patients to identify where impotence has its source. Causes of impotence may include alcohol abuse, physical illness, or relationship problems.

The questionnaire below can help men identify where their impotence is coming from and what treatments would be a good fit for them. Patients should note that this questionnaire is in no way a substitute for talking to a doctor and should only be used as a guide.