Erectile dysfunction is a condition that makes it impossible for a man to achieve or maintain an erection sufficient for sexual activity. This can cause significant mental distress and even relational problems for men. Fortunately, doctors specializing in sexual health can help men recover their sexual function through erectile dysfunction treatments. If you suffer from this condition, here are four treatments for erectile dysfunction that you can explore with the help of your doctor:
1. Medication
Medication can help men achieve and maintain erections. There are a few common medications used for this purpose, but there are other similar drugs that can achieve the desired effect that aren't as well known. These medications can increase blood flow to the penis by relaxing the internal structures that govern blood flow. Arousal is still ultimately controlled by the brain, but these medications can encourage the physical part of the process.
2. Hormone Replacement Therapy
Testosterone is a reproductive hormone that plays an important role in men's health. Sufficient testosterone levels allow men to build and maintain muscle mass, maintain a healthy libido, and achieve erections. Low testosterone can lead to erectile dysfunction. Your doctor can order a blood test to find out if a hormonal imbalance contributes to your problems with sexual function. If your testosterone levels are low, hormone replacement therapy can restore your testosterone back to a normal range, which may resolve your erectile dysfunction symptoms.
3. Psychological Counseling
Your mental state plays an important role in your overall sexual health. Depression, anxiety, and other mental illnesses can lower your libido and make it difficult to perform sexually. Psychological counseling can help men who suffer from erectile dysfunction due to underlying mental illnesses. Talk therapy can help you resolve emotional issues that keep you from enjoying your sexuality. Your doctor may also prescribe antidepressants to further improve your mental health. Some of these antidepressants can also cause sexual side effects, so it's important to communicate with your doctor about any new symptoms that arise.
4. Surgical Procedures
Finally, surgical procedures can be used to treat erectile dysfunction that does not respond to other treatments. When erectile dysfunction is caused by physical damage to the penis, surgery can be used to restore sexual function. Surgical procedures can be used to reroute blood flow away from damaged tissue, once again enabling penile engorgement. Penis implants can also be used to artificially stiffen the penis for sexual activity.
For more information, contact a local erectile dysfunction doctor.
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