Best ED Treatment Options
Based on In-Depth Reviews
- 200+Hours of research
- 20+Sources used
- 10Companies vetted
- 4Research Criteria
This content has not been reviewed by a doctor. For all symptoms and diagnostics, we advise you to reach out to a medical healthcare provider.
Most Effective Treatments for Erectile Dysfunction
Our Advice: Go Online
In 2021, one of the easiest and most discreet ways of diagnosing and treating erectile dysfunction is via online health providers that cater specifically to men with ED issues. Rather than have to make multiple visits to a doctor and the pharmacy, these online companies allow men to get a diagnosis —and medication, if necessary— from the comfort of their homes. And any prescribed medication can be delivered right to their doors.
It may be a bit overwhelming trying to find the right online ED company, given the multitude of options on the web. Enjoying a healthy sexual life is essential to overall wellbeing, which is why no man wants to put their trust in less-than-competent-hands.
Fortunately, there are excellent online health providers helping men treat their erectile dysfunction. Many offer customers a free online evaluation, free delivery, unlimited follow-ups, and prescriptions of the most common oral medication for ED (Sildenafil, Viagra, Cialis.)
There are a number of online options, one of which is Roman.
What is Erectile Dysfunction?
If you have difficulty getting or maintaining an erection over 20 percent of the time, you may be suffering from erectile dysfunction. Sometimes referred to as “impotence,” this condition affects over 30 million men in the US. While the condition mostly affects older men, it can occur in younger men as well.
Besides the frustration of not being able to maintain an erection, erectile dysfunction can sometimes be a sign of a more dangerous health issue. For this reason, it is highly recommended that, should you perceive any signs of erectile dysfunction, you contact a health care professional so that he/she can give you the correct treatment.
What are the causes of ED?
On a purely mechanical/physical level, ED is caused by when the blood that flows into the penis (necessary to get an erection) is significantly reduced or obstructed.
Broadly speaking, there are two main causes for this decrease in blood flow: emotional and biological. While the correct treatment for ED depends on the underlying cause, in many instances both physical and emotional factors are present.
Most Common Psychological Causes of ED:
- Performance anxiety
- Depression or stress
- Family/relationship issues
- PTSD
- Sleep disorders
- Drug/alcohol addiction or abuse
Most Common Physical Causes of ED
- Cardiovascular disease
- Heart problems
- Diabetes
- Hypertension
- High Cholesterol
- Low testosterone levels
- Obesity
Treatments for Erectile Dysfunction
Treatment for ED will depend on the underlying cause. There are a variety of treatment options, such as talk therapy, medication, injections, mechanical pumps, and even surgical options. Let’s take a brief look at each:
Talk Therapy
If one of the underlying causes of ED is psychological, you may benefit from talk therapy with a professional. During these sessions, you and the therapist will discuss any emotional factors that may be hindering your ability to get an erection and figure out ways to overcome them.
Oral Medication
One of the most popular and effective non-intrusive treatments for ED is oral drugs or pills, PDE type-5 inhibitors that cause increased blood flow to the penis for a certain amount of time. These are:
- Viagra® (sildenafil citrate)
- Levitra® (vardenafil HCl)
- Cialis® (tadalafil)
- Stendra® (avanafil)
In the US, the above-mentioned drugs are the only ones approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the oral treatment of erectile dysfunction.
Other Treatment Options
Besides talk therapy and oral medication, there are other options for treating ED. These include:
Suppository/Injection
Alprostadil (Caverject, Edex, MUSE) can be administered as a penile suppository or as a self-injection. Alprostadil is part of a group of medications called vasodilators, which work by relaxing the muscles and blood vessels in the penis to allow for an erection.
Testosterone Therapy
This treatment is recommended for men whose ED issues are caused mostly or partially by low testosterone levels. You must know, however, that this treatment is usually combined with one or more other treatments, such as oral medication.
Vacuum Pumps
This device uses a vacuum to draw blood into the penile vessels and stimulate an erection. It is a purely mechanical treatment involving a plastic tube, a pump, and an elastic ring, and is one of the most non-intrusive treatments for ED.
Surgical Treatments
For cases where all non-invasive options aren’t effective, there are two surgical options that may be considered: penile implants and vascular surgery.
- The penile implant (also called a “prostheses”) is inserted in the penis to help with erections by either inflating the muscles (via a pump) or allowing you to manually adjust the position of the penis.
- Vascular surgery is used to repair any blood vessels that may be obstructed in order to allow for a regular flow of blood into the penis.
This content has not been reviewed by a doctor. For all symptoms and diagnostics we advise you to reach out to a medical healthcare provider.
More insight into our methodology
Treatment Options & Services
Many men who visit websites offering erectile dysfunction treatment have already determined that their best course of action is to take medication. We looked at how different sites evaluated the need for medication and whether they offered alternative treatment. We also checked to see which medications each site offered, since prescription medication is not a one-size-fits-all matter.
In addition, some sites offer all-in-one services, including evaluation, prescription-writing, and medication delivery. Others stop at prescription-writing, so customers must visit their local pharmacies to pick up their prescriptions. We gave extra points to sites that offered men a choice.
Ease of Use
Erectile dysfunction is an intimate matter that’s sometimes difficult to discuss. Many men will not seek treatment from their own physicians because they’re embarrassed to have a face-to-face talk about their problems. Sites that made it easy to begin the medical evaluation process and have a physician consultation rated favorably with us. We also reviewed whether sites provided educational materials for customers and evaluated that content for quality.
Pricing
Pricing
Each of the sites we reviewed offered visitors a free physician consultation. Medication pricing was fairly consistent across the board. So we looked for sites that offered a variety of medication purchase and subscription plans.
Provider Credentials & Medical Expertise
Provider Credentials and Medical Expertise
Some sites provided a great deal of information about the credentials of both their executive leadership and individual providers. We appreciated those sites that offered that kind of transparency and could give men seeking treatment confidence that they’re receiving quality care. We also examined each site’s privacy policy to see whether they followed medical confidentiality rules and otherwise protected customers from unwanted marketing communications.