The stigma that surrounds erectile dysfunction has been slowly diminishing thanks to new drugs like apo-eriole and avanafil, which were both approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in June and July 2017, respectively.
Introduced over a century ago, Viagra remains the gold standard amongst ED treatments, having been prescribed to millions of men around the world.
While this once-a-day drug can offer tremendous benefits for some men, it certainly isn’t for everyone.
There are alternatives. Some men may prefer a different ED therapy that has fewer side effects or allows them to have better control over the timing of their orgasms.
And for those who dislike the idea of taking a pill every day, there are now daily or even twice-daily alternatives, such as apo-eriole and avanafil.
So while many men remain sceptical about alternative treatments for ED, those who are interested in trying something different should have no fear in doing so.
Here, we’ll highlight 5 benefits of ED therapy that don’t come from a pill.
It Boosts Your Confidence
If you’re worried about losing your virginity, getting embarrassed in front of your friends, or having difficulty getting/maintaining an erection, there’s no wonder that you might be hesitant about trying ED therapy.
But the fact is that taking a pill to become better at sex isn’t the answer. Instead, the answer is to try something new and see what happens. And that’s exactly what you get with ED therapy.
Through trial and error, patients have learned what constitutes a successful treatment for their particular condition. And thanks to the development of new drugs, the list of curable sexual disorders continues to grow.
By learning more about your body and how to better understand and respond to its various needs, you’ll not only be able to avoid embarrassing situations, but you’ll also come to understand and value your body more.
It Can Help With Weight Loss
Erectile dysfunction is known to frequently appear alongside other health problems, such as obesity and diabetes.
In men with type 2 diabetes, ED is typically one of the first signs that they’re not doing well, appearing at a rate of 50% to 90% of cases.
And according to the Journal of Sexual Medicine, obese men are up to six times more likely to experience ED than men with a normal weight.
Many doctors therefore theorize that there’s a link between ED and obesity, and believe that treating ED could help with weight loss.
While there’s no evidence that taking a pill to treat ED will help with weight loss, it can help with the following:
- Reducing appetite
- Boosting metabolism
- Lowering stress levels
- Providing better sleep
- Increasing testosterone levels
- Decreasing estrogen levels
- Boosting the endocannabinoid system (ECS)
It’s important to note that some men with ED may also benefit from taking a prescription medication to treat their condition. However, in certain cases, natural remedies could be sufficient, and in others, a medication might not even be necessary at all.
It Can Help Treat Depression And Anxiety
Men with anxiety and depression are more likely to encounter problems with sexual function, and vice versa.
A study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine found that men with depression had significantly lower sexual desire and erectile dysfunction, while men with anxiety had more sexual problems, including low libido and premature ejaculation.
As a result of the strong connection between depression, anxiety, and erectile dysfunction, many physicians believe that ED could potentially be used to treat these conditions.
Furthermore, there’s evidence to suggest that men with depression are less likely to benefit from testosterone therapy, while those with anxiety are likely to respond better to benzodiazepines (longer-acting sedatives).
So in patients with these conditions, ED therapy might be a useful alternative or addition to pharmaceutical treatment.
It Can Improve Your Quality Of Life
ED has been shown to not only affect sexual health, but it also has significant implications for the patient’s overall quality of life.
In a 2011 study, men with erectile dysfunction were found to have a significantly poorer quality of life than men without the condition.
Participants in the study also reported lower levels of self-confidence and satisfaction with their overall health, as well as more anxiety and depression symptoms.
These findings were confirmed in a more recent study, which also found that men with erectile dysfunction were more likely to report a poor quality of life than those without the condition.
In general, there’s a strong connection between ED and a poor quality of life. This is likely because the condition has a profound effect on a person’s day-to-day life, both sexually and non-sexually.
Some men with ED may also suffer from significant pain during intercourse or lower back pain, particularly if they have a history of prostate cancer in their family.
For these reasons, ED can be extremely frustrating, as it not only prevents you from having enjoyable sex with your partner, but it also has implications for your daily life.
While there’s no exact cause for ED, there are definitely ways in which you can improve your quality of life and make the most out of what little you have. The above findings should encourage you to consider trying something new, such as an ED medication or therapy.
Even if you don’t experience any negative side effects from taking the medication, you should still try to improve your quality of life by seeing a specialist to learn more about your condition and how to better manage it. You might also try reading some informative literature or speaking with other patients who have gone through the same process as you.
ED is a condition that affects a large number of men, and it’s becoming more commonly diagnosed due to increased awareness and greater availability of testing. As a result of this increased visibility, more and more men are seeking help and learning about the different treatments available.
While there’s no denying that Viagra remains the gold standard amongst ED treatments, apo-eriole and avanafil show that there are better options than simply popping a pill every day to solve your erection problems.