Lifestyle changes
Lifestyle modifications can be considered as alternatives to medical or surgical interventions for the prevention and treatment of erectile dysfunction. These include:
Ask your urologist or primary physician to make a formal review of your medications. There are many medications such as medications for high blood pressure that can cause erectile dysfunction. Eliminating or changing certain medications may improve erectile dysfunction.
Oral Medications
There are many effective oral medications on the market including Viagra, Cialis, Levitra and Staxyn that are safe and effective at improving blood flow to the penis resulting in significant improvements in erectile function. These non-invasive medications are considered by most to be first line therapy for erectile dysfunction. They work by increasing nitric oxide available in the penis which results in relaxation of the blood vessels in the penis helping you to achieve or sustain an erection. These medications for erectile dysfunction do not increase libido and only result in erections when you are sexually stimulated.
Vacuum Pumps
A Vacuum pump device is an external pump that is applied to the penis that can be used to create an erection. The device consists of a plastic cylinder and pump that is placed directly over the penis. The pump is used to manually pull blood into the penis thereby creating an erection. Once a firm erection is achieved, a constriction band is placed over the base of the penis to prevent blood loss and maintain the erection.
Lifestyle modifications can be considered as alternatives to medical or surgical interventions for the prevention and treatment of erectile dysfunction. These include:
- Limiting or reducing the intake of alcohol
- Dietary modifications to decrease the consumption of foods high and fat and cholesterol
- Eliminating the intake of tobacco and illicit substances
- Weight loss
- Exercising more regularly
Ask your urologist or primary physician to make a formal review of your medications. There are many medications such as medications for high blood pressure that can cause erectile dysfunction. Eliminating or changing certain medications may improve erectile dysfunction.
Oral Medications
There are many effective oral medications on the market including Viagra, Cialis, Levitra and Staxyn that are safe and effective at improving blood flow to the penis resulting in significant improvements in erectile function. These non-invasive medications are considered by most to be first line therapy for erectile dysfunction. They work by increasing nitric oxide available in the penis which results in relaxation of the blood vessels in the penis helping you to achieve or sustain an erection. These medications for erectile dysfunction do not increase libido and only result in erections when you are sexually stimulated.
Vacuum Pumps
A Vacuum pump device is an external pump that is applied to the penis that can be used to create an erection. The device consists of a plastic cylinder and pump that is placed directly over the penis. The pump is used to manually pull blood into the penis thereby creating an erection. Once a firm erection is achieved, a constriction band is placed over the base of the penis to prevent blood loss and maintain the erection.
Intraurethral pellets dispensed as the brand MUSE are inserted into the urethra through the penile meatus. The prostaglandins in the MUSE intraurethral pellet are absorbed through the urethra into the erectile tissues where the medication causes relaxation of of blood vessels in the penis resulting in an erection. Disadvatanges to MUSE intraurethral pellets include cost of the medication, burning discomfort in the urethra and the possibility of causing priapism, a sustained erection lasting longer than 4 hours.
Penile injection therapy is the most effective no surgical treatment for erectile dysfunction. Penile injection therapy is typically incorporated into the treatment algorithm for erectile dysfunction as a second line mode of therapy when oral medications have failed. In the office setting, we usually prescribe a three drug combination injection known as Trimix consisting of phentolamine, alprostadil and papaverine. The injections placed in the lateral aspect of the penis towards the base at the 3 or 9 o'clock position directly into the erectile tissue. Under ideal conditions, this injection will result in an automatic erection within 3-5 minutes without the need for sexual stimulation. There is a increased risk for priapism with injection therapy and therefore it should only be used in patients with erectile dysfunction refractory to oral and alternative treatments and the dose should be carefully titrated under the supervision of a urologist.
Miami Beach:
4302 Alton Road
Suite 920
Miami Beach, FL 33140
Tel: 305 672 4222
Fax: 305 672 5461
Contact Us
North Miami Beach:
1400 N.E. Miami Gardens Drive
Suite 209
North Miami Beach, FL 33179
Tel: 305 944 0025
Fax: 305 944 3624
Contact Us
North Miami Beach Office:
Tel: (305) 944-0025
Fax: (305) 944 3624
Miami Beach Office:
Tel: (305) 672-4222
Fax: (305) 672-5461
North Miami Beach Office:
Tel: (305) 944-0025
Fax: (305) 944 3624
Miami Beach Office:
Tel: (305) 672-4222
Fax: (305) 672-5461
