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Medical Author:

Dennis Lee, MD

Dennis Lee, MD

Dr. Lee was born in Shanghai, China, and received his college and medical training in the United States. He is fluent in English and three Chinese dialects. He graduated with chemistry departmental honors from Harvey Mudd College. He was appointed president of AOA society at UCLA School of Medicine. He underwent internal medicine residency and gastroenterology fellowship training at Cedars Sinai Medical Center.

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Medical Author:

Siamak T. Nabili, MD, MPH

Siamak T. Nabili, MD, MPH

Dr. Nabili received his undergraduate degree from the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), majoring in chemistry and biochemistry. He then completed his graduate degree at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). His graduate training included a specialized fellowship in public health where his research focused on environmental health and health-care delivery and management.

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Medical Editor:

Jay W. Marks, MD

Jay W. Marks, MD

Jay W. Marks, MD, is a board-certified internist and gastroenterologist. He graduated from Yale University School of Medicine and trained in internal medicine and gastroenterology at UCLA/Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.

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Medical Editor:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

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In this Article

• What is erectile dysfunction?
• How common is erectile dysfunction?
• What is normal penis anatomy?
• How does erection occur?
• How is erection sustained?
• What are some of the risk factors for erectile dysfunction?
• What are the causes of erectile dysfunction?
• How is erectile dysfunction diagnosed?
• What are the treatments for erectile dysfunction?
• What medications are used to treat erectile dysfunction?
• Oral phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors
• Sildenafil (Viagra)
• Vardenafil (Levitra)
• Tadalafil (Cialis)
• Intracavernosal injections
• Intraurethral suppositories
• How effective is testosterone in treating erectile dysfunction?
• Can low testosterone level be replaced?
• Vacuum devices
• Surgery for erectile dysfunction
• What will the future bring for erectile dysfunction?
• Erectile Dysfunction At A Glance
• Impotence (Erectile Dysfunction, ED) FAQs
• Patient Comments: Erectile Dysfunction (Impotence) - Treatments
• Patient Comments: Erectile Dysfunction (Impotence) - Share Your Experience
• Find a local Urologist in your town
• Impotence (ED) Index

The following are treatments for erectile dysfunction:

1. Working with doctors to select medications that do not impair erectile function
   
   
2. Making life style improvements (for example, quitting smoking and exercising more)
   
   
3. Taking drugs to treat ED such as sildenafil (Viagra), vardenafil (Levitra) or tadalafil (Cialis)



4. Inserting medications into the urethra (intraurethral suppositories)
   
   
5. Injecting medications into the corpora cavernosae (intracavernosal injections)



6. Vacuum constrictive devices for the penis
   
   
7. Penile prostheses



8. 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 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 or even prevent erectile function. Some studies suggest that men who have made lifestyle improvements experience increased rates of success with oral medications.