Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting any treatment.
Written by the Medical Team at Men’s Wellness Centers
Erectile dysfunction is one of the most common and most underreported men’s health conditions. Most men deal with it quietly for longer than they should. That’s a problem, because ED is usually treatable, and sometimes it’s pointing to something else worth finding.
Here’s a straightforward look at what the treatment options are.
Why ED Happens
The Massachusetts Male Aging Study found that roughly 52% of men between 40 and 70 experience some degree of erectile dysfunction. It’s common.
ED results from disruption in one or more systems: blood flow, nerve signaling, hormones, or psychological readiness. Common causes:
- Cardiovascular disease and arterial narrowing
- Diabetes (affects both vascular and nerve function)
- Low testosterone
- High blood pressure and certain medications
- Anxiety, depression, or performance anxiety
- Obesity and metabolic syndrome
- Neurological conditions
Because ED can signal underlying cardiovascular disease, a proper evaluation matters beyond sexual function alone.
Finding the Root Cause First
At Men’s Wellness Centers, we run labs before recommending anything. Testosterone levels, blood glucose, lipid panel, and other cardiovascular and metabolic markers. Treatment that doesn’t address the cause works less well and misses the bigger picture.
Learn more about how the evaluation process works.
Oral Medications
FDA-approved prescription oral medications are the most commonly prescribed first-line treatment. They improve blood flow to penile tissue in response to stimulation. They don’t cause erections on their own — they improve the body’s natural response.
These medications work for roughly 60-70% of men with ED. They’re less effective when cardiovascular disease is severe, when certain blood pressure medications are involved, or when the ED has a significant psychological component.
Side effects are generally mild and vary by patient. Your physician determines which option fits based on your health history and any other medications.
Injection Therapy
For men who don’t respond to oral medications, or can’t take them, injectable therapy is a highly effective alternative. A physician-prescribed medication is self-injected before sexual activity. It dilates blood vessels and increases local blood flow.
Response rates are high — often better than oral medications. Men who haven’t responded to pills often respond to injectable therapy. We provide training on administration.
Shockwave Therapy
Low-intensity shockwave therapy uses acoustic waves to stimulate blood vessel repair and growth in penile tissue. It’s used for men with vasculogenic ED — ED caused by reduced blood flow.
Research shows improvements in erectile function and reduced medication dependence in appropriate candidates. It’s not a universal fix, but in the right patient it can be effective, particularly alongside other treatments.
Lifestyle Changes
Lifestyle affects erectile function more than most men expect. The research is clear:
- Exercise improves erectile function — even moderate aerobic activity
- Weight loss improves ED in overweight men
- Quitting smoking reduces ED risk
- Limiting alcohol helps
- Addressing sleep apnea often improves sexual function
For mild ED, lifestyle changes alone sometimes fix it. For moderate to severe cases, they improve the response to medical treatment.
When to See a Specialist
ED that’s been going on for a few months, getting worse, or showing up alongside low libido or other symptoms needs a proper evaluation. Self-treating with supplements or unregulated products isn’t safe, and usually doesn’t work.
If it’s affecting your life or your relationship, get checked. ED is a treatable medical condition, not an inevitable consequence of getting older. Visit our low testosterone page to understand how hormones factor in.
Getting Diagnosed at Men’s Wellness Centers
Our ED evaluation includes bloodwork, health history, and a conversation with a physician who specializes in men’s health. We don’t prescribe before we understand the cause.
Same-day appointments are available at our Virginia clinics.
Medical References
- Feldman HA, et al. “Impotence and its medical and psychosocial correlates: results of the Massachusetts Male Aging Study.” Journal of Urology. 1994. PubMed: 8254833
- Burnett AL, et al. “Erectile Dysfunction: AUA Guideline.” Journal of Urology. 2018. PubMed: 29746562
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting any treatment.