Treating male impotence and impotence help available

Instructions

Welcome to the 3^rd step towards dealing with ED, and the 3^rd stage of your 4t Action Plan.

If you think you may suffer from ED, the good news is that the vast majority of cases are treatable.

The information in this section is not intended to replace a proper examination by your doctor. Everybody is different, and only your doctor will be able to advise you on the most suitable treatment for you.

Click below to watch a useful short video about ED

You're more than halfway through your 4t Action Plan now.

Once you've read about which ED treatments are available, move on to stage 4 by clicking the 'next' button at the top or bottom of the page.

Treatment information will be added to your 4t Action Plan

Treatment type

Features

Side effects

An important first step to getting advice about ED is to make an appointment with your GP. Your doctor is the best person to advise you which treatments may be suitable for you.

Click on the buttons below to find out about which treatments are available to treat ED, and which types your GP might discuss with you.

Counselling

Oral tablets

In order for these medications to work, sexual stimulation is required
Alcohol may affect erections
Avoid excessive alcohol with oral treatments
Some of these treatments may have their onset of effect delayed if taken after food

There are currently 3 different products available

These products are called PDE-5 inhibitors
They are now the most commonly-prescribed treatments for ED
They are not all exactly the same, and their differences are important
If your doctor decides to prescribe one of these for you, they may discuss those differences with you
Depending on the treatment, they need to be taken between 25 minutes and 1 hour before sexual intercourse
The period of time over which they work can vary from 4–5 hours up to 36 hours. i.e. during these time periods, providing you have sexual stimulation, an erection may be achieved

If your doctor thinks an oral treatment may be suitable for you, then they will discuss side effects and contraindications* with you as part of reaching a prescribing decision

The most common side effects include:
- headache
- indigestion
- flushing
- pounding heartbeat
- nausea
- nasal congestion
- effects on vision
- dizziness
- back pain
- muscle aches
- abdominal pain

* Contraindication: To advise against or indicate the possible danger of a drug or treatment

Injections or insertions

These are injected into the penis or inserted using a special applicator
This usually takes place just before sexual intercourse to produce an erection
You should discuss all possible side effects with your doctor

There are currently 3 different products available

These products contain alprostadil
The product is either injected into the body of the penis or inserted down the tube of the penis (urethra) using a special applicator
They work approximately 5–15 minutes after administration

If your doctor thinks an injection or insertion may be suitable, they will discuss side effects and contraindications* with you as part of reaching a prescribing decision

Side effects may include:
- pain in the penis
- urethral burning
- the penis can become scarred, bent or kinked, particularly after long-term use
Tell your doctor if this happens as you may need to stop using the product
There are guidelines on how often you should use these products - your doctor should advise you
If your penis is scarred, not straight, or abnormally formed, you should NOT use these products

*Contraindication: To advise against or indicate the possible danger of a drug or treatment

Vacuum pumps

Hormone treatment

Surgery

Lifestyle changes may also help you. Exercising, losing weight and stopping smoking may be beneficial in helping treat your condition, but you should speak to your doctor to find out what will be suitable for you.

Based on your medical history, you may or may not be eligible to receive certain treatments on the NHS - your doctor can advise you.

Back

Instructions

Welcome to the 3rd step towards dealing with ED, and the 3rd stage of your 4t Action Plan.

Welcome to the 3^rd step towards dealing with ED, and the 3^rd stage of your 4t Action Plan.