Erection Problems (Erectile Dysfunction)
Other Treatment
Other treatments for erection problems (erectile dysfunction) include vacuum devices, external penile splints, and counselling (psychotherapy).
Other Treatment Choices
- Vacuum devices are useful for all types of erection problems—physical, psychological, or both. The device has a tube you place around the penis. You pump the device to create a vacuum that leads to an erection. Then you place a band around the base of the penis to maintain the erection for up to 30 minutes.
- Counselling (psychotherapy) is recommended for men whose erection problems are caused, at least in part, by psychological factors. It may include sex therapy, which focuses on methods to improve attitudes toward sex and specific sexual techniques. Counselling also may be used with medication treatment or vacuum devices for erection problems that have psychological and physical causes.
- External penile splints may be another non-surgical option. External penile splints are mechanical supports that "hold up" the penis. Although penile splints have been available for years, they have not often been used because they covered much of the penis or resulted in painful intercourse. Their advantages are that they are non-invasive, inexpensive, and often reusable. More recent penile splints do away with many of the old problems. However, they must be sized to each man and are best used by those who are capable of partial erection.
What To Think About
Some men take the amino acid L-arginine as a dietary supplement to try to treat erection problems. The amino acid increases the amount of nitric oxide, which relaxes blood vessels; theoretically, L-arginine could improve erections. However, L-arginine may be harmful.7
No matter what approach you use to treat an erection problem, including your partner in the decision is helpful and may improve results.
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| Author: | Douglas Dana Ralph Poore | Last Updated: August 24, 2006 |
| Medical Review: | Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine Tom Bailey, MD - Family Medicine Christopher G. Wood, MD, FACS - Urology/Oncology | |
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