Treatments for Erectile Dysfunction

Treatments for erectile dysfunction have been around since millennia. Our forefathers used herbal concoctions to enhance vigor, and deal with embarrassing situations arising from a lack of vitality. For decades now, herbal supplements made from dubious animal products like tiger penises, have been widely available in the market. Most of these don't have approval by the Food and Drug Administration, but that hasn't stopped them from becoming very popular with those who need an effective treatment for ED. The options available in the market earlier, were limited. All this changed with the introduction of Viagra in 1998.

The discovery that Viagra could help in the treatment of erectile dysfunction, came by chance when medical scientists, researching the effect of sildenafil citrate, the main ingredient in Viagra, for the treatment of heart disease, fund that the drug could generate an erection. Viagra was the first erectile dysfunction drug that took on mass appeal and acceptability. Politicians, ageing rock stars and movie magnates - all endorsed its powers.

However, erectile dysfunction treatment research is an on going process, and pharmaceutical companies and scientists continue to pump millions of dollars and hours of efforts searching for even more effective, convenient and long lasting treatments for the condition. Medtronic Inc. is currently testing a new pelvic stent for men who suffer from ED. Investigators will soon begin testing the stent with 50 patients. The stent, it is hoped, will be an effective treatment for erectile dysfunction in men who have not been able to achieve an erection with any of the erectile dysfunction drugs like Viagra, Cialis or Levitra. According to researchers who are conducting the study, erectile dysfunction can often be a symptom of more severe problems, like blockages of blood vessels in the body.

Until researchers manage to develop a more permanent treatment for erectile dysfunction, patients will continue to have access to the three medications approved by the Food and Drug Administration for ED treatment - Viagra, Cialis and Levitra. Viagra continues to be the largest selling ED drug in the world, but has been losing its market share to competitors like Cialis and Levitra. Viagra can be very expensive, and this has caused many consumers to turn to Generic Cialis, which allows people to enjoy the benefits of Viagra, without the prohibitive high costs. Cialis has been touted as the weekend drug, because of the fact that it can remain in the bloodstream for up to 24 hours, and takes effect 12 hours after taking the drug. Levitra, which contains Vardenafil, also works similarly to Viagra, and is also meant to be taken about one hour before commencing sexual activity.