To treat erectile dysfunction, two therapies are better than one.
- Combination therapy compared to monotherapy was associated with a mean improvement in IIEF (international index of erectile function) score of 1.76 points.
To treat persistent erectile dysfunction, a new combination of two treatments has been shown to be effective, as shown a new analysis published in JAMA.
Combination therapy
44 studies involving 3853 men with erectile dysfunction were synthesized (average age of the cohort: 55.8 years). Conclusion: the combined therapy compared to the monotherapy was associated with an average improvement in the IIEF score (international index of erectile function) of 1.76 points. This figure shows “that combination therapy with phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors and antioxidants is associated with an improvement in erectile dysfunction”, without too significant side effects.
Before considering the implantation of a penile prosthesis, “combination therapy should therefore be considered as a first-line treatment for difficult-to-treat cases of erectile dysfunction”, write the scientists.
What are the other possible treatments?
More and more men suffer from erection problems, which are due to complex physiopathological mechanisms. In patients with primary organic causes, phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors are considered first-line monotherapy. Other recommended first-line treatment modalities include intracavernous injections, alprostadil cream or intraurethral, erection pump, and low-intensity extracorporeal shock wave therapy (Li-ESWT).
Before moving on to treatments, adopting a healthy lifestyle can also solve the problem (balanced diet, regular physical activity, quality sleep, no alcohol, drugs or tobacco).
Erectile dysfunction is an inability to achieve or maintain an erection sufficient for satisfying sexual intercourse. We talk about erection problems only when they last more than three months, and when they are repeated with each sexual intercourse.
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