As many as 18 million men (18.4 percent over age 20) in the United States have reported episodes of erectile dysfunction (ED). The good news is that in some cases, a change in lifestyle can reverse the problem.
Lifestyle changes are those well within the control of the individual who has the willpower to implement them. No one is saying it's easy, but medical researchers believe some types of ED can be reversed with more exercise.
"The associations between erectile dysfunction and diabetes, and other known cardiovascular risk factors should serve as powerful motivators for male patients for whom diet and lifestyle changes are needed to improve their cardiovascular risk profile.
"These data suggest physical activity and other measures for the prevention of cardiovascular disease and diabetes may prevent decrease in erectile function," writes Elizabeth Selvin, PhD, MPH, a researcher with Johns Hopkins University, called "Prevalence and Risk Factors for Erectile Dysfunction in the US."
For those who cannot be helped by changes in diet and exercise, other methods to treat ED are available. In addition to the use of oral medications like Viagra, which ten years ago launched the public discussion on ED but did not cure all men, other options include (somewhat repugnant measures by comparison), such as penile injections, vacuum devices and an implantable prosthesis.
Nanoparticles to the Rescue
Far on the horizon is the possibility of a medication delivery system that eliminates the problems some men encounter when using oral ED medications.
Because there can be unpleasant or even dangerous side-effects from oral treatment, and because not every man succeeds by using Viagra-like medicines, scientists at Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University have been working with an innovative delivery system that skirts the cardiovascular and metabolic pathways used when a man takes a pill. The possible treatment will be topically applied to the penis and uses nanoparticles to carry and deliver nitric oxide or prescription drugs that cause an erection. Unlike earlier delivery systems which relied on unpleasant injections, the nanoparticles reduce to a molecular, pain-free level the "injector" and bring to the patient's vascular tissue just what's needed where and when it's needed. While this novel approach has been proven in the laboratory with rats, it remains several years away from human trials.
If you're suffering from ED, consider this finding: Men who have intercourse at least once a week tend not to develop ED, while those who have intercourse less than once a week develop ED at twice the rate.
What's important if you have unanswered questions about ED is to speak with your physician. Given that 18 million men have already sought that help, your doctor is well-prepared to offer a treatment that could work for you.