Many approaches are used to treat sexual dysfunctions, including biological interventions and psychological treatment approaches.
Biological Interventions
Discovering underlying biological issues is an important first step in treating sexual dysfunction (Buster, 2013). Biological interventions may include hormone replacement, special medications, or mechanical means to improve sexual functioning. For example, men with physiologically-based erectile dysfunction are sometimes treated with penile implants. The penile implant is an inflatable device that, once expanded, produces an erection sufficient for intercourse and ejaculation (see Table 13.4). Approximately 89 percent of men with penile implants and 70 percent of their partners expressed satisfaction with the implants (Center for Male Reproductive Medicine and Microsurgery, 2005), and most said that they would choose the treatment again.
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Treatment of Sexual Dysfunctions
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Table 13.4
Treating Erectile Disorder: Medical Interventions
| Treatment
|
Primary Agent |
Effects |
Drawbacks |
| Oral medication |
Viagra, Levitra, or Cialis |
Taken as a pill. Enhances blood flow to the penis and allows many users to achieve normal erections. The drugs are taken before sex, and stimulation is needed for an erection. |
Medication side effects including head or stomach pain or nasal congestion. |
| Surgery |
Vascular surgery |
Corrects venous leak from a groin injury by repairing arteries to boost blood supply in the penis. Restores the ability to have a normal erection. |
Minimal problems when used appropriately with diagnosed condition. |
| Suppository |
Muse (alprotadil) |
A tiny pellet is inserted into the penis by means of an applicator 5 to 10 minutes before sex. Erections can last an hour. |
Penile aching, minor urethral bleeding or spotting, dizziness, and leg-vein swelling. |
| Injection therapy |
Vasodilating drugs, including Caverject (alprotadil), Edex (alprostadil), and Invicorp (VIP and phentolamine) |
Drug is injected directly into the base of the penis 10 minutes to 2 hours before sex, depending on the drug. The drug helps relax smooth-muscle tissues and creates an erection in up to 90% of patients. Erection lasts about an hour. |
Pain, bleeding, and scar tissue formation. Erections may not readily subside. |
| Devices |
Vacuum pump |
Creates negative air pressure around the penis to induce the flow of blood, which is then trapped by an elastic band encircling the shaft. Pump is used just before sex. Erection lasts until band is removed. |
Some difficulty in ejaculation. Penis can become cool and appear constricted in color. Apparatus can be clumsy to use. |
| |
Penile implants |
Considered a last resort. A penile prosthesis is implanted in the penis, enabling men to literally “pump themselves up” by pulling blood into it. |
Destruction of spongy tissue inside the penis. |
