There are many procedures, products and medications used to treat impotence. Some are as simple as taking a pill while others require surgery.
Impotence treatment depends on the cause. If there is no clear physical or psychological cause of the condition, other options are available.
Viagra - This is the most well-known impotence medication on the market. It's as simple as taking a vitamin. All the man has to do is take a Viagra pill at least an hour before engaging in sexual activity.
Viagra affects the body chemistry, and causes blood to rush to the penis when a man is sexually aroused. However, the pill shouldn't be taken more than once a day. There is still some concern about the safety of Viagra.
There have been reports of severe side-effects, including death, among men taking Viagra. Men that have heart trouble, low-blood pressure, or have suffered a heart attack are urged to think carefully before taking Viagra. It's believed that nitroglycerin and other nitrate-based drugs cause dangerously low-blood pressure when mixed with Viagra.
Other side-effects of Viagra include severe headache, indigestion, and vision problems. Also, men with sickle cell anemia or leukemia are advised to avoid Viagra. These men can develop priapism if they use Viagra. Priapism is a prolonged painful erection that can last for several hours or a few days. A man doesn't have to be sexually aroused for priapism to occur.
Despite all the possible side-effects, Viagra is a popular drug among patients and doctors. Viagra can be purchased over the internet and through the mail, but it should not be taken without first receiving a medical examination.
Vacuum Device - This treatment involves a hollow, plastic cylinder. The man inserts his soft penis into the cylinder, and then attaches a hand pump to draw air out of the cylinder. This creates a vacuum that draws blood into the penis.
When the penis is erect, an elastic ring is slipped over the cylinder onto the base of the penis. After the cylinder is removed, the ring keeps blood from flowing out of the penis which causes it to remain erect.
This procedure can be dangerous if the cylinder isn't handled correctly. The instructions should be followed very carefully. A medical examination is recommended before starting to use a vacuum device.
Self-Injection - This involves injecting drugs directly into the penis. Some of the drugs prescribed for this treatment include phentolamine, prostaglandin-E1, and papaverine. Blood flow is increased when the drugs are injected into the penis. The injections are a minor discomfort, and cause a natural erection.
As with all impotence treatments, a doctor must be consulted. If the dosage is improper, it can lead to a prolonged and painful erection. An erection that doesn't deflate even after ejaculation can require emergency surgery.
Penile Implants - This method involves inserting implants into the penis. Penile implants are a last resort procedure. Implants are only recommended when all else has been tried and failed. Most men report ejaculation as usual following penile implants, and say it feels normal.
There are two types of penile implants:
Inflatable Cylinder - These implants (also called internal penile pumps) consist of one or two inflatable silicone rods, a finger pump, and an internal reservoir that stores liquid to inflate the rods.
Everything is surgically implanted into the penis, scrotum, and lower abdomen. When the pump is squeezed a few times, the fluid from the reservoir goes into the rods. They expand and create an erection that lasts until the release valve on the pump is pressed.
Malleable Rods - These implants work differently than inflatable cylinders. In this procedure, a small incision is made in the lower abdomen or scrotum. Two long rods are then inserted into the incision. Each rod is a long solid piece, and remains erect at all times. However, the rods are undetectable. Since they are malleable, they can be bent close to the body.
