|
Therapy
|
Advantages
|
Disadvantages
|
|
|
Psychosexual
Therapy
|
Broadly
applicable without invasive procedures. No side
effects.
|
Uncertain
success rate, depends on motivation and willingness
of partners. |
|
|
Oral
Drug Therapy
(Viagra)
|
Use
when needed and easily taken without invasive procedures.
Quite effective for most causes of erectile dysfunction. |
Expensive
(each pill is about $11). Has caused death in
almost 150 people (out of millions who have taken it).
Can't be used in those using nitrate medications (e.g.,
nitroglycerine, isordil, "whip-its"). Possible
headache, flushing, and drop in blood pressure as side
effects. |
|
| Vacuum
Constriction Devices |
Not
a medicine so quite safe. Use when needed.
Quite effective for most causes of erectile dysfunction. |
Cumbersome
to use. Minor side-effects (pain, bruising, lack
of ejaculation). |
 |
| Intraurethral
Drug Therapy (Muse) |
Use
when needed. Quite effective for most causes of
erectile dysfunction. |
Invasive
local administration (you need to put tip into penis
opening [urethra]) and some possible side effects (pain,
drop in blood pressure). |
|
| Intracavernosal
Injection Therapy |
Use
when needed. Relatively safe and works well for
most causes of erectile dysfunction. |
Invasive
local administration (you need to inject a needle into
your penis). Side effects include pain with injection,
prolonged and painful erection (priapism), and possible
scarring at injection site. |
 |
| Penis
Prosthesis & other Surgery |
Long
term and essentially permanent remedy. |
Surgical
procedure required (with all the associated risks of
surgery complications such as death, infection, pain,
scarring). Possible mechanical failure with need
to undergo repeat surgery. Expensive. |
 |
| Hormonal
Replacement Therapy (testosterone) |
Treats
specific problem and quite effective in select patients. |
Appropriate
in very few people (only those with true hormonal problems).
Prostate and heart problems in those treated inappropriately. |
|
