Impotence (ED) (cont.)
What are the treatments for erectile dysfunction?
Treatments for erectile dysfunction in 2004 include:
- Working with doctors to select medications that do
not impair erectile function,
- Making life style improvements (for example; quitting
smoking, and exercising more),
- Drugs such as sildenafil (Viagra), vardenafil (Levitra) or tadalafil (Cialis),
- Inserting medications into the urethra (intraurethral
suppositories),
- Injecting medications into the corpora cavernosae
(intracavernosal injections),
- Vacuum constrictive devices for the penis,
- Penile prostheses, and
- Psychotherapy.
Adjusting medications
Many common medications for treating hypertension, depression, and high blood
lipids can contribute to erectile dysfunction (see above). Treatment of
hypertension is an example. There are many different types (classes) of
anti-hypertensive medications (medications that lower blood pressure); these
include beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, diuretics (medications that
increase urine volume), angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE
inhibitors), and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs). Anti-hypertensives may be
used alone or in combination(s) to control blood pressure. Different classes of
anti-hypertensives have different effects on erectile function. Inderal (a beta
blocker) and hydrochlorothiazide (a diuretic) are known to cause erectile
dysfunction, while calcium channel blockers and ACE inhibitors do not seem to
affect erectile function. On the other hand, angiotensin receptor blockers
(ARBs) such as losartan (Cozaar) and valsartan (Diovan), may actually increase
sexual appetite, improve sexual performance, and decrease erectile dysfunction.
Therefore, choosing an optimal anti-hypertensive combination is an important
part of treating erectile dysfunction
Lifestyle improvements
Quitting smoking, exercising regularly, losing excess weight, curtailing
excessive alcohol consumption, controlling hypertension, and optimizing blood
glucose levels in patients with diabetes are not only important for maintaining
good health but also may improve erectile function. Some studies suggest that
men who have made lifestyle improvements experience increased rates of success
with oral medications.
Next: What medications are used to treat erectile dysfunction? »
- tadalafil, Cialis - Deciphers the medication tadalafil (Cialis), a drug used for the treatment of impotence.
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