Are Most Guys on the Wrong Treatment? (Here’s What They Get Wrong)

Most guys with erectile dysfunction chase symptoms rather than get at the root cause of the problem. This means they’re on a treatment that doesn’t work over the long term.

In this blog post, let’s dive into the most common treatments for ED and why they may not be the best option to protect sexual health over time. Then we’ll talk about an effective type of therapy that works over the long term.

The Dark Side of ED Drugs 

ED drugs work up to a point—until they stop working. And it doesn’t take long for this to happen. One study found that erectile dysfunction medicines stop working in many men by two years after their first dose.(1)

At first, 74% of the men reported that 25 mg to 100 mg of the drug was effective. Three years later, of the 151 men who had been taking an ED drug, only 43 were still taking them. Sixteen of those men had needed to take a 50 mg higher dose in order to achieve an erection. 

Between one month to 18 months, most of the men found that the drug had stopped working. 

“In my clinical practice, I’ve noticed a similar drop in effectiveness,” says Paul Thompson, M.D., a urologist and surgeon for over three decades. “For most men, ED medications are really only a temporary solution.”

The type of ED drugs known as PDE5 inhibitors boost the effects of a chemical your body produces called nitric oxide, which relaxes penile muscles. This relaxation stimulates blood flow, which in turn leads to an erection during sex.  

The problem? This blood-flow-boosting effect is only temporary, and you need to keep taking the pills.

Not Always Absorbed Well

Another problem with ED pills? They’re not always absorbed well. If you’ve had a high-fat meal or alcohol before taking them—like you would on a romantic date—your body takes longer to absorb the medication. That means it will take longer for the ED pill to kick in and your erection to happen. 

They’re Not For Every Guy

“If you’re taking nitrate medicines, alpha-blockers, or medicines that block the CYP3A4 enzyme, then ED medications are likely not for you,” says Dr. Thompson. “These medications can either stop ED drugs from being effective or cause them to be dangerous due to too much of the drug getting into your system.”

According to the Mayo Clinic, ED drugs should also be avoided in men with:(2)

• Low blood pressure or uncontrolled high blood pressure

• Severe liver disease

• Kidney disease that needs to be treated with dialysis

• Recent heart or blood vessel problems, such as a heart attack, stroke, or a serious heart rhythm disorder in the past six months

• An inherited eye disease that affects the retina

ED Pills Side Effects

ED medications have some common side effects. They don’t happen in every man, but when they do, they can be frustrating and a reason why many guys stop treatment.

According to the Mayo Clinic, here are common side effects of ED:(2)

• Flushing of the skin

• Headaches

• Upset stomach

• Visual changes, such as blue tinge to vision, sensitivity to light, or blurred vision

• Stuffy or runny nose

• Back pain

• Dizzy feeling

Rare severe side effects can include:

• Hearing and vision loss

• An erection that doesn’t go away on its own (priapism)

Are Penile Injections Any Better?

Penile injections are painful, and you have to inject them before sex, so they interrupt those romantic moments. Like ED pills, they enhance blood flow to the penis, but only temporarily, so they’re not a long-term fix for the root cause of ED. 

Common side effects of penile injections include:(3)

• Short-term bleeding and soreness at the injection site

• Painful erection

Rare side effects include:

• Bruising or clotted blood in the penis at the injection site, usually caused by injecting yourself improperly.

These problems can really put a damper on your sex life. 

More  serious side effects include:

• Curved penis with pain during erection

• Erection continuing for 4 to 6 hours or more, with severe and persistent pain in the penis

• Swollen or painful testes

Penile Implants: An Invasive Solution 

“Penile implants are an option for men who don’t mind the invasive nature of the procedure,” says Dr. Thompson. “Because you will need to have the implant surgically implanted:”

The procedure is overall safe, but according to the Cleveland Clinic, it can lead to some uncommon adverse effects, including:(4)

• Uncontrolled bleeding after the surgery, which may require additional surgery.

• Damage to your urethra, which requires surgical repair and delays placement of the implant.

• Infection, which requires removal of your implant

• Excessive scar tissue

• The implant wears away layers of skin (erosion)

• Pump or reservoir displacement

• Mechanical failure

• Perception of shorter penis length

• Decreased blood flow to the head of the penis, which requires removal of your implant

“Although a penile implant allows you to have an erection on demand, it’s basically just a band-aid solution,” says Dr. Thompson. “It doesn’t address the cause of your problem.”

Getting at the Root Cause of the Problem

Dr. Thompson believes the best way to tackle the root cause of ED is to use a combination of The Smart Ring and at-home acoustic soundwave therapy. 

“The Smart Ring increases blood retention in the penis,” he says. “By applying pressure at the base of the penis, it helps trap blood for firmer, stronger erections. The fact that the Smart Ring helps you track variables such as nocturnal erections is the icing on the cake that can reveal how much progress you’re making.”

Dr. Thompson recommends using The Smart Ring together with at-home acoustic soundwave therapy for the best results. Acoustic soundwave therapy sends gentle soundwaves through penile tissue, which supports healthy blood flow in the penis and contributes to stronger erections. 

“You can get acoustic soundwave therapy in a clinic, but the at-home version is more affordable and convenient,” says Dr. Thompson. 

Dig Deeper for the Best Results 

Finding the root cause of your erectile dysfunction is always going to be more effective than chasing symptoms.

ED pills, penile injections, and implants only touch the surface of the problem. Long-term solutions such as The Smart Ring and at-home acoustic soundwave therapy can fix the primary cause of ED, which is reduced blood flow to the penis.

Sources:

1. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11490248/

2. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/erectile-dysfunction/in-depth/erectile-dysfunction/art-20047821

3. https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/alprostadil-intracavernosal-route/description/drg-20067404

4. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/10054-surgical-penile-implants