What Is ED and How Is It Treated?

How Common Is ED?

150 million men worldwide and up to 30 million men in the United States are estimated to be affected by ED.¹ That’s about 1 in 4 men within the US that struggle with symptoms from ED. The incidence and severity of ED tend to increase with age, but there is also an increasing prevalence of ED in younger men.⁶

The Relationship Between ED and Other Health Issues

Healthcare professionals now recognize ED as a multidimensional disorder that is related to both physical conditions as well as mental conditions such as anxiety, depression, stress and low self-esteem.^7,8

ED is one of the most common complications of diabetes mellitus.¹ In some cases, ED may be a sign of undiagnosed diabetes, which reflects the importance of screening men who have ED for additional risk factors.¹

ED has also been linked to cardiovascular disease. The increased number of men with CVD risk factors is paralleled by the worldwide increase in the prevalence of ED¹. Both ED and cardiovascular disease share similar risk factors, and symptoms of ED may precede a cardiovascular event by as much as 5 years.² Getting diagnosed with ED provides an opportunity to address other potential conditions that can affect general male health.¹ Cardiovascular risk factors can also be reduced with lifestyle interventions such as dietary changes, weight loss and physical activity.¹

Common Treatments for ED

There is a wide range of therapeutic options available to address ED. Oral PDE5 inhibitors constitute a mainstay of ED management, however these medications only mitigate symptoms rather than curing the underlying condition.¹

When sexually stimulated, nerve signals cause your body to release a chemical called nitric oxide into the tissues of the penis. This triggers a chain reaction producing a substance (cGMP) that relaxes the blood vessels and allows blood to flow into the penis, causing an erection. The oral PDE5 inhibitors block the signal that breaks down cGMP, allowing the blood vessels to stay relaxed, increasing blood flow to help achieve and maintain an erection.¹⁰

Some of the most common drug names that belong to this category include sildenafil, tadalafil and vardenafil.¹

However, these PDE5 inhibitors can also come with side effects, such as:³

• Mild headaches
• Flushing
• Dyspepsia
• Altered color vision
• Back discomfort
• Priapism
• Melanoma
• Yypotension
• Dizziness
• Hearing loss

Additionally, while PDE5 pills can take up to 60 minutes to be effective in treating ED, this “pre-planning” can affect spontaneity and intimacy.⁹

An Over-the-Counter Treatment for Erectile Dysfunction

A new and viable over-the-counter treatment for ED is now available. Eroxon® is the first FDA-cleared erectile dysfunction treatment that is available with no prescription needed. A drug-free ED treatment gel that is applied topically to the head of the penis, Eroxon® has a proven clinical safety record with very low side effects for both men and their partners.

Eroxon® is also clinically proven to help men get an erection within 10 minutes*. Applying Eroxon® can also be part of the experience, since both partners can incorporate its topical application into foreplay. Find out where to buy Eroxon® near you, and explore frequently asked questions about the fast-acting gel.