Male impotence or erectile dysfunction is a condition which affects at approximately 50% of men over the age of 40. Many times these men also have other medical conditions which also contribute to the development of erectile dysfunction. These conditions may include diabetes, high blood pressure or medications used to treat depression.
Fortunately there are currently many different types of treatment protocols which men may explore in order to alleviate the symptoms of erectile dysfunction. There are oral medications, minimally invasive procedures, surgical procedures and noninvasive procedures. Prior to the availability of Viagra, which revolutionized the treatment of male impotence, vacuum pumps were one of the most popular and successful noninvasive treatments available.
To date vacuum pumps remain the preferable option and the most viable alternative to the new medications being used. Although Viagra, Cialis and Levitra are all viable options for men, they don\’t work for everyone and may not be the best option for some. Impotence vacuum pumps are noninvasive and work for almost all men. Erectile dysfunction is defined as the inability to achieve or maintain an erection which is sufficient for intercourse and includes the inability to get an erection as a result of stimulation or to lose an erection prior to ejaculation.
Erectile dysfunction is not a descriptive term meant to describe a lack of passion or desire for sex, which is the description for libido. Choosing the right treatment method for erectile dysfunction is as much a personal choice as it is a medical decision which should be made with your primary care physician or urologist and your partner. In a recent study in Europe of the men between 35 and 75 researchers found that 43% over the age of 50 chose to use the vacuum pump as their preferred option to treat erectile dysfunction.
The two main reasons for this choice were familiarity with the product and its concerns for health issues with alternative medications. (1) The results from this study may have been because the men in that age bracket had experience using the pump and the side effects of the medications for erectile dysfunction interfered with the other medications used for medical conditions common in men over the age of 50. The major health risk reported in this European study were a heart condition, high blood pressure and diabetes. Most of these conditions interfere with the use of Viagra, Levitra or Cialis.
A number of medications prescribed for angina and high blood pressure contain nitrates which will cause a severe reaction with the chemicals used in the new drugs for male erectile dysfunction. Also, the vacuum pumps are a safer alternative because of their noninvasive and drug free application for gentlemen who have long-term diabetes. The impotence vacuum pumps work by creating a vacuum using a plastic cylinder placed around the penis. A manual or electric pump is used to withdraw the air from the cylinder, creating a vacuum and drawing blood into the penis. Once the penis is erect, the cylinder is removed and an elastic band is placed around the base of the penis to prevent blood from flowing back into the body. This process is able to produce an erection that is capable of being maintained through intercourse and ejaculation. As a note of caution, men should understand that the tension ring should never be left on for more than 30 minutes in order to prevent permanent tissue damage. Impotence vacuum pumps have both benefits and precautions.
These pumps provide a safe and noninvasive treatment for male impotence that have no waiting period for the treatment to take effect. Men will get immediate results within minutes of using the vacuum comp. And these pumps are not affected by food, alcohol or other medications being used for other medical conditions. However, doctor-patient reports have suggested that the effectiveness increases as the user becomes more familiar with the device. This means that the more an individual uses the machine to better they will be at using it. Also, it is essential that the correct cylinder size and tension ring size are selected in order to ensure a safe and pain-free experience for men. There have been some isolated cases of erections which lasted over two to three hours.
This condition known as priapism, is a dangerous condition that can lead to permanent damage to the tissue in the penis. If a man has an erection that becomes uncomfortable or painful or lasts over two hours they should consult a physician immediately. Some men find that side effects include bruising, pain and the inability to ejaculate. However these conditions appear to be corrected when the tension ring is adjusted to the correct tension. Other men find that it takes the romance and spontaneity out of making love to their partner.
Whether an individual chooses to use the impotence vacuum pump or another of the male erectile dysfunction treatments available it is important for men to recognize first that they have a problem and second that there are treatments available. Problems with the rec tile dysfunction can cause permanent long-term relationship issues that may eventually lead to divorce. (1) Harvard Health Publications: Special Health Reports
RESOURCES
Henry Ford Health System: Erectile dysfunction Vacuum Pumps
NHS Choice: Erectile Dysfunction Treatment
Cleveland Clinic: Erectile Dysfunction