Cures For Erectile Dysfunction

Erectile Dysfunction, commonly referred to as "Impotence" can be defined as the "Chronic inability to achieve an erection of sufficient firmness to complete sexual intercourse", which is a round-about way of saying erection quality is below par.
The condition can manifest itself in various degrees, from total inability to achieve erection, to intermittent inability, to achieving only short term erections.
As many as 40 million males in the US alone exhibit some degree of ED, breaking down to approximately 6% of males aged 40 and between 12% and 30% of males aged over 65.
A man's ability to achieve an erection, hinges on his ability to fill the chambers of his penis, the "Corpora Cavernosa" with blood.
This flow of blood to the chambers, creates pressure, which has the desired effect - an erect penis.
Achieving an erection is a process, and as a process, it requires several events to take place.
These events involve nerve impulses and responses in arteries in the "Corpora Cavernosa".
Various conditions, such as Diabetes, Alcoholism, Kidney Disease, Cirrhosis of the Liver, can be the underlying cause of ED.
Diabetes in particular has a very high rate of cause.
Approximately 50% of all men suffering from Diabetes also exhibit some degree of impotence.
Other causes include adverse life style (smoking, obesity), stress, anxiety, medication side effects and surgical side effects.
Treatments include:

• Vacuum Pumps

Vacuum Pumps may have a beneficial effect in extreme cases.
Use of such devices cannot be seen as a long term solution or cure, as the symptoms are only alleviated during the use of the pump.
Use of a vacuum pump should, in my opinion, be considered only in extreme cases of ED.

• Surgery

During the procedure, an inflatable implant is inserted in the penis.
This is connected to a pump (usually implanted in the scrotum).
Applying manual pressure to the pump causes a fluid to flow into the penis implant, which causes an erection.
As with any kind of invasive procedure, penis surgery carries inherent risks, such as infection, shock, adverse reaction to the use of anesthetics, etc.

• Exercises

Using exercises to treat impotence can have a beneficial effect, even though the underlying causes may not seem to be responsive to such a treatment.
An appropriate course of exercises can have an overall benefit to penis health and even though the underlying causes of the problem (diabetes for example) will have NO benefit from the exercise program, overall penis health can improve.

• Medications

In a word Viagra.
The magic blue pill has been a source of joy for millions of men suffering from impotence.
Ever since Viagra was first released in 1998, more and more men have resorted to using the medication.
Viagra relaxes the muscles in the penis, allowing increased blood flow and the desired result - an erection.
General medical consensus is to treat the condition (or any ailment for that matter) with the least invasive methods first, before taking more drastic steps.
Taking this logical approach would mean Viagra would be the first option to consider, followed by a course of penis exercises.
Use of vacuum pumps and surgery would be last resorts, but ONLY after proper consultation with a Urologist.
When in ANY doubt, consult a competent physician.