Erectile Dysfunction Treatments — What Works and How to Choose

Feeling stuck with ED? You're not alone. Many men regain reliable erections with the right approach. The trick is matching the treatment to what's actually causing the problem — not just masking symptoms. Below I break down the common options and when they make sense.

Common medical treatments

Pills are the most talked-about option. PDE5 inhibitors — sildenafil (Viagra), tadalafil (Cialis), vardenafil — help increase blood flow to the penis and work for roughly 60–80% of men depending on the cause. They’re fast, easy to try, and usually the first step. Important safety note: if you take nitrates for chest pain, these drugs can cause dangerous drops in blood pressure, so don’t mix them.

If pills don’t help, there are other medical choices. Penile injections (usually alprostadil) act directly on the vessels and can produce a reliable erection in many men. There’s also an intraurethral suppository that delivers medicine inside the penis. Hormone therapy with testosterone helps men with documented low testosterone — get blood tests first, because it won’t fix ED if hormones are normal.

Devices, therapy, and surgery

Non-drug options work well for some men. Vacuum erection devices are simple: a pump creates suction and a ring holds the erection. They’re safe, reusable, and useful when drugs fail or aren’t allowed. Counseling or sex therapy matters when anxiety, stress, or relationship issues are involved — mental and physical causes often overlap.

For long-term cases that don’t respond to other treatments, penile implants (surgically placed rods or inflatable devices) offer high satisfaction rates. Implants require surgery and a recovery period, but they can restore spontaneity and reliability.

How do you pick? Start with a doctor visit. ED can signal diabetes, high blood pressure, or heart disease, so a basic checkup and blood tests are smart. Be honest about meds, alcohol use, and your mental state — that shapes safe, effective choices.

Try stepwise care: lifestyle changes (lose weight, quit smoking, cut back on booze, exercise) often boost results alongside any treatment. If one option fails, ask about combining approaches — for example, therapy plus medication, or injections after pills don’t work.

Buying meds online? Be careful. Use licensed pharmacies, require a prescription, and avoid sites offering prescription drugs with no prescription or suspiciously low prices. If you’re unsure, ask your doctor which pharmacies they trust.

Finally, expect follow-up. Dosing tweaks, side effect checks, and sometimes switching treatments are all part of finding what actually helps you. With the right plan, most men see meaningful improvement — and that’s the main goal.