Advances in suppositories, injectable medications, implants, and vacuum devices have expanded the options for men seeking treatment for ED. These advances have also helped increase the number of men seeking treatment. Gene therapy for ED is now being tested in several centers and may offer a long-lasting therapeutic approach for ED.

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) sponsors programs aimed at understanding the causes of erectile dysfunction and finding treatments to reverse its effects. NIDDK’s Division of Kidney, Urologic, and Hematologic Diseases supported the researchers who developed viagra professional and continue to support basic research into the mechanisms of erection and the diseases that impair normal function at the cellular and molecular levels, including diabetes and high blood pressure.

Points to Remember:

• Erectile dysfunction (ED) is the repeated inability to get or keep an erection firm enough for sexual intercourse.
• Erectile dysfunction affects 15 to 30 million American men.
• Erectile dysfunction usually has a physical cause.
• Erectile dysfunction is treatable at all ages.
• Treatments include psychotherapy, drug therapy, vacuum devices, and surgery.