Are there any other treatments for erectile dysfunction?

    Last Updated: October 25, 2023

    Weight loss, whether achieved through diet and/or physical activity[1][2][3] or through bariatric surgery,[4] improves ED in men with overweight or obesity.

    Physical inactivity increases the risk for ED,[5][6] while exercise — particularly moderate- to vigorous-intensity aerobic exercise — improves erectile function in men with ED and comorbidities including obesity, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular disease.[7][8] In fact, a 2019 review indicated that among all ED treatments, physical activity interventions caused the largest improvement in ED,  with effectiveness similar to pharmacological therapy.[9]

    Other emerging yet experimental ED treatments include gene therapy, stem cell therapy,[10][11] Li-ESWT,[12][13][12] platelet-rich plasma (PRP), low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS), hyperbaric oxygen therapy, penile vibratory stimulation,[14][15] and pelvic floor muscle training.[16].

    References

    1. ^Li H, Xu W, Wang T, Wang S, Liu J, Jiang HEffect of weight loss on erectile function in men with overweight or obesity: A meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.Andrologia.(2022-Feb)
    2. ^Collins CE, Jensen ME, Young MD, Callister R, Plotnikoff RC, Morgan PJImprovement in erectile function following weight loss in obese men: the SHED-IT randomized controlled trial.Obes Res Clin Pract.(2013-Dec)
    3. ^Esposito K, Ciotola M, Giugliano F, Maiorino MI, Autorino R, De Sio M, Giugliano G, Nicoletti G, D'Andrea F, Giugliano DEffects of intensive lifestyle changes on erectile dysfunction in men.J Sex Med.(2009-Jan)
    4. ^Glina FPA, de Freitas Barboza JW, Nunes VM, Glina S, Bernardo WMWhat Is the Impact of Bariatric Surgery on Erectile Function? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.Sex Med Rev.(2017-Jul)
    5. ^Horasanli K, Boylu U, Kendirci M, Miroglu CDo lifestyle changes work for improving erectile dysfunction?Asian J Androl.(2008-Jan)
    6. ^Cheng JY, Ng EM, Ko JS, Chen RYPhysical activity and erectile dysfunction: meta-analysis of population-based studies.Int J Impot Res.(2007)
    7. ^Gerbild H, Larsen CM, Graugaard C, Areskoug Josefsson KPhysical Activity to Improve Erectile Function: A Systematic Review of Intervention Studies.Sex Med.(2018-Jun)
    8. ^Silva AB, Sousa N, Azevedo LF, Martins CPhysical activity and exercise for erectile dysfunction: systematic review and meta-analysis.Br J Sports Med.(2017-Oct)
    9. ^Allen MS, Walter EEErectile Dysfunction: An Umbrella Review of Meta-Analyses of Risk-Factors, Treatment, and Prevalence Outcomes.J Sex Med.(2019-Apr)
    10. ^Liu MC, Chang ML, Wang YC, Chen WH, Wu CC, Yeh SDRevisiting the Regenerative Therapeutic Advances Towards Erectile Dysfunction.Cells.(2020-May-19)
    11. ^Matz EL, Terlecki R, Zhang Y, Jackson J, Atala AStem Cell Therapy for Erectile Dysfunction.Sex Med Rev.(2019-Apr)
    12. ^Campbell JD, Trock BJ, Oppenheim AR, Anusionwu I, Gor RA, Burnett ALMeta-analysis of randomized controlled trials that assess the efficacy of low-intensity shockwave therapy for the treatment of erectile dysfunction.Ther Adv Urol.(2019)
    13. ^Dong L, Chang D, Zhang X, Li J, Yang F, Tan K, Yang Y, Yong S, Yu XEffect of Low-Intensity Extracorporeal Shock Wave on the Treatment of Erectile Dysfunction: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.Am J Mens Health.(2019)
    14. ^Muncey W, Sellke N, Kim T, Mishra K, Thirumavalavan N, Loeb AAlternative Treatment for Erectile Dysfunction: a Growing Arsenal in Men's Health.Curr Urol Rep.(2021-Jan-09)
    15. ^Patel DP, Pastuszak AW, Hotaling JMEmerging Treatments for Erectile Dysfunction: a Review of Novel, Non-surgical Options.Curr Urol Rep.(2019-Jun-18)
    16. ^Myers C, Smith MPelvic floor muscle training improves erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation: a systematic review.Physiotherapy.(2019-Jun)