Erectile Dysfunction Solutions: What Works and what to try first

Erectile dysfunction (ED) has many causes and many fixes. The smart approach is simple: find the likely cause, try low-risk changes first, and move to medical options with a clinician’s help. Below are clear, practical steps you can try and the main medical choices to discuss with your doctor.

Quick, practical steps you can use today

Start with health basics. Stop smoking, cut back on alcohol, improve sleep, and move more — these changes help blood flow and hormone balance. Check blood pressure, blood sugar, and testosterone with your provider; diabetes and low testosterone are common contributors. If you take medicines (for blood pressure, depression, or pain), bring a list to your appointment — some drugs cause ED and swapping them might help.

Try pelvic floor exercises and timed foreplay to reduce performance pressure. Counseling or short-term therapy helps when anxiety or relationship stress plays a role. Many men see improvement by pairing lifestyle work with medical care.

Medical options and safety tips

PDE5 inhibitors are the most common first-line drugs. That group includes sildenafil (Viagra), tadalafil (Cialis), and vardenafil. They boost blood flow to the penis and work well for many men. Tadalafil can last longer in the body, which some men prefer. Never combine these drugs with nitrate medicines for chest pain — that combo can dangerously drop blood pressure.

Combination pills exist too. For example, Sildalis blends two PDE5 drugs and is discussed in our Sildalis article. Combination treatments can work for men who didn’t respond to one drug, but they need careful medical oversight for dosing and interactions.

If pills don’t help, other options include injectable drugs (alprostadil), intraurethral suppositories, vacuum erection devices, and penile implants. Injections work quickly and reliably for many men. Implants are a surgical option with high satisfaction rates when other treatments fail.

Hormone therapy might help if tests show low testosterone. Counseling is essential when mental health or relationship issues are involved. A combined approach—therapy plus a medical option—often gives the best long-term result.

Thinking about buying medication online? Be cautious. Use licensed pharmacies that require a prescription and avoid deals that sound too good to be true. Our site has guides on buying meds safely and spotting fake pharmacies.

When you see a doctor, be direct: describe symptoms, list medicines, and say what you’ve tried. Ask about side effects, drug interactions, and a timeline for results. ED is common and treatable—there’s no need to guess alone.