What to do about Erectile Dysfunction

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• An excerpt from this report

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Erectile Dysfunction

The advent of safe, easy-to-use pills to treat erectile dysfunction (formerly known as male impotence) heralded a trend that’s been dubbed a second sexual revolution, the first being the advent of birth control pills. Both medications fostered major changes in sexual behavior and the ways in which people think and talk about sexuality. But oral medications to treat erectile dysfunction are just part of the story. Lifestyle changes, such as losing weight and stopping smoking, can also help. Several other non-drug treatments are available as well. This report offers a comprehensive review of the many causes of erectile dysfunction and the most effective male impotence treatment options. It also includes information on sex therapy and involving your partner in treatment.

What to do about Erectile Dysfunction was prepared by the editors of the Harvard Health Publications in consultation with Michael Philip O'Leary, M.D., senior surgeon at Brigham and Women's Hospital and Associate Professor of Surgery at Harvard Medical School. 29 pages. (updated: 2006)

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Here's an Excerpt from this Erectile Dysfunction Special Health Report

Less than a decade ago, people rarely spoke openly about erectile dysfunction (also called impotence). But all that changed in 1998 when sildenafil (Viagra), the “little blue pill,” hit the market. The first safe, effective, and easy-to-use treatment for erectile dysfunction, Viagra brought the problem out of the bedroom and into the doctor’s office. Ads in magazines, newspapers, and on TV, featuring athletes and a former president, helped dispel the stigma of erectile dysfunction, making it easier for men to seek treatment.

Since then, more than 750,000 physicians have prescribed Viagra to more than 23 million men in the US. And the number of men diagnosed with erectile dysfunction has risen 250%. The trend expanded further in 2003, when the FDA approved two closely related drugs, vardenafil (Levitra) and tadalafil (Cialis). Some have even dubbed this phenomenon a second sexual revolution, the first being the advent of birth control pills. Both medications fostered major changes in sexual behavior and the ways in which people think and talk about sexuality.

Erectile dysfunction can have many causes. Often, the culprit is clogged arteries (atherosclerosis), which can affect not only the heart but also other parts of the body. In fact, erectile dysfunction may be a harbinger of heart disease. In up to 30% of men who see their doctors about erectile dysfunction, the condition is the first hint that they have heart disease.

Other possible causes of erectile dysfunction include medications and prostate surgery, as well as illnesses and accidents. Stress, relationship problems, or depression can also lead to erectile dysfunction.

Regardless of the cause, this problem can often be effectively addressed. For some men, simply losing weight may help. If Viagra or similar pills aren’t effective for you, a number of other options, including injections and vacuum devices, are available. The possibility of finding the right solution is now better than ever.

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