Last updated: August 9, 2018
In 1993, researchers were just about ready to give up on an experimental high blood pressure drug. Then they asked a group of British miners who’d been taking it if they’d noticed anything unusual. They sure had: The men reported having more erections.
Five years later, in 1998, a little blue pill called Viagra (sildenafil) revolutionized the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED), formerly known as impotence. Now, it might seem that every man with ED just needs a prescription for Viagra or one of its rivals, Cialis (tadalafil) and Levitra (vardenafil).
But the drugs aren’t for everyone. Sometimes they just don’t work, although it’s not clear how often this happens. Their side effects and high cost can be too much for men to tolerate. And some men might be too embarrassed or fearful to go to the doctor in the first place.
Even if the products work, men often give up on using them over the long term. “We don’t know why,” said Richard Wassersug, a University of British Columbia biologist who studies men’s sexual health.
Fortunately, many alternatives exist. “I don’t think men who are having problems with erections have to be tied to the Viagras of the world even if they’re often the easiest and most convenient strategy,” said urologist and cancer researcher Stephen Freedland, MD, of Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.
There’s one more thing to remember: A visit to a physician can be helpful even if a man doesn’t want to go near Viagra or try one of the alternatives. In some cases, a treatable medical condition such as low testosterone or depression could explain a case of ED. “Sexual health should not be viewed as a luxury, but rather as an essential component to wellness,” said urologist Ryan P. Terlecki, MD, of Wake Forest Baptist Health in North Carolina.
Here’s a look at 5 alternatives to ED drugs, ranked from simplest (and cheapest) to most complex (and expensive):
1. Lose Weight — the Hardest Option of All?
The cheapest treatment, and the one that may be the most difficult of all, is an old standby: Shed some pounds.
“There’s randomized trial data that says weight loss in overweight men can improve erections,” Dr. Freedland said. Indeed, a review of 10 studies published this year found that exercising for 180 minutes — less than 3 hours — per week for 6 months boosted erections in men who had ED linked to various physical causes.
But, Dr. Freedland said, “many men aren’t willing to put in the hard work of exercising multiple times a week.”
2. Supplements — Potentially Hazardous to Your Health
Countless pills claim to restore virility and potency in men, and you can find them in places from gas stations to health food stores. But there are reasons to be cautious.
“Erectile dysfunction herbs and supplements haven’t been well-studied or tested,” the Mayo Clinic cautions. “Some can cause side effects or interact with other medications. And the amount of the active ingredient can vary greatly from product to product.”
According to the Mayo Clinic, 4 supplements — dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), L-arginine, ginseng and propionyl-L-carnitine (when added to doses of Viagra) — have shown promise and appear to be generally safe. But they can cause various side effects, and L-arginine shouldn’t be taken with Viagra.
The Mayo Clinic lists other supplements that are unproven, risky or both. It also warns against the potentially dangerous use of so-called “herbal Viagra.”
3. Penis Pumps — No Joking Matter
While they may remind some men of the proclivities of Austin Powers, penis pumps — technically known as vacuum erection devices — are a respected treatment for ED. But they’re not for everyone.
The cylinder-like pumps, available at adult stores and online, produce erections by creating a vacuum that pulls blood into the penis. “Then a constriction band is placed around the base of the penile shaft to allow trapping of the blood despite the removal of the vacuum tube,” said Dr. Terlecki.
There are limitations to penis pumps. The base of the penis may remain flaccid while the shaft is hard, Wassersug said, and this can make intercourse more challenging.
As for side effects, penis pumps can also cause pain and bruising, Dr. Terlecki said, and “partners may be perturbed about the process leading up to sexual activity.”
The devices can cost anywhere between $100 and $500, he said, and typically aren’t covered by insurance.
4. Penis Injections — Not as Scary as They Sound
There’s little that gives men the heebie-jeebies more than the idea of injecting themselves in the penis. But for decades, men with ED have been doing just that. They inject themselves with drugs that allow erections by widening the blood vessels in the penis to allow more blood flow.
“It’s a very small needle, and in general that works pretty well,” Dr. Freedland said. “It’s more tolerable than you’d imagine. It’s very similar to a diabetic who gives themself multiple shots a day.”
Research suggests that the injections are often effective, with a 2012 study finding that 89% of men who used a drug called Trimix had erections that were strong enough for penetrative intercourse.
But men frequently stop using the injection treatments over time. The injections can also cause side effects such as priapism — an extended painful erection that may need medical treatment. In the 2012 study, which tracked men for years, priapism affected half of 1% of those who tried the injection treatment.
The injection treatment is reportedly much cheaper than Viagra-type drugs, although there are reports that insurance may not cover some types.
5. Penis Implants — Pump It Up?
Penis implants come with a high cost and a high success rate.
The cylinder-shaped implants, either inflatable or noninflatable, are surgically inserted into the penis.
Men with inflatable penis implants then trigger erections by squeezing a pump that’s implanted in the scrotum. The noninflatable ones, which are more rare, create a kind of permanent erection.
“Implants work really, really well,” Dr. Freedland said, and they boast a 95% success rate. “You pump it up and it works, and you pump it down and it goes away,” he said. “Patients are very happy with those.”
There’s another potential benefit: Sex partners of men with penis implants might not notice them.
Penis implant risks include infections, pain, bleeding and other side effects. Insurance may cover the procedure, which can cost thousands of dollars.
It’s possible, of course, for a man to give (and get) physical intimacy without an erection. And thanks to over-the-counter sex toys, the University of British Columbia’s Wassersug said it’s even possible for men with ED to keep penetration in their sexual repertoire.
“Even if they don’t work, these appliances can improve intimacy,” he said. “Just exploring these things as a couple can help.”
Randy Dotinga, a journalist with more than two decades of professional experience, has written for dozens of magazines, newspapers and online news sites. He is immediate past president of the American Society of Journalists and Authors.
