Other Treatment

Other treatments for erection problems (erectile dysfunction) include vacuum devices, external penile splints, and counseling (psychotherapy).

Other Treatment Choices

• Vacuum devices are useful for all types of erection problems—physical, psychological, or both. The device has a tube you place around the penis. You pump the device to create a vacuum that leads to an erection. Then you place a band around the base of the penis to maintain the erection for up to 30 minutes.
• Counseling (psychotherapy) is recommended for men whose erection problems are caused, at least in part, by psychological factors. It may include sex therapy, which focuses on methods to improve attitudes toward sex and specific sexual techniques. Counseling also may be used with medication treatment or vacuum devices for erection problems that have psychological and physical causes.
• External penile splints may be another nonsurgical option. External penile splints are mechanical supports that “hold up” the penis. Although penile splints have been available for years, they have not often been used because they covered much of the penis or resulted in painful intercourse. Their advantages are that they are noninvasive, inexpensive, and often reusable. More recent penile splints do away with many of the old problems. However, they must be sized to each man and are best used by those who are capable of partial erection.

What To Think About

Some men take the amino acid L-arginine as a dietary supplement to try to treat erection problems. The amino acid increases the amount of nitric oxide, which relaxes blood vessels; theoretically, L-arginine could improve erections. However, there is little scientific evidence that it is effective for this purpose. 

No matter what approach you use to treat an erection problem, including your partner in the decision is helpful and may improve results.

The type of therapy and how long it lasts depends on what type of problem (depression, anxiety disorder, or another mental disorder) you have.

Group or individual therapy may be indicated. Involving your partner in counseling is often helpful.

Psychological treatment is most likely to be helpful for men who:

• Have an erect penis when they wake up in the morning.
• Can get a firm erection when masturbating.
• Have gone through a stressful major life event, such as divorce, separation, death of a loved one, change in job, or moving.
• Grew up in an environment where sex and sexuality were considered negative, wrong, or “bad,” or who were sexually or physically abused as a child.
• Lost their mother or father during early childhood.
• Have a history of serious relationship problems.
• Have a history of anxiety disorders or physical problems that have a psychological component (such as irritable bowel syndrome, migraines, asthma, or nervous bladder).