Ultimate Guide to ED Treatment in Singapore (6 solutions)

Erectile Dysfunction (ED) is the condition where it is difficult to get or keep an erection adequate for sexual activity.

This is usually due to insufficient blood flow to the penis, which can be a result of many different physical or lifestyle factors.

At the end of the day, a man who can’t get hard has more than a physical problem.

Not having enjoyable sexual intercourse can also have poor effects on relationships and mental health.

This guide will help you understand how you can improve your sexual function.

Course of treatments

The different forms of ED treatments in Singapore help to improve blood flow to the penis.

Here are five categories of treatment:

1. Medications
2. Non-surgical devices
3. Surgery
4. Psychological counselling
5. Get a health screening
6. Lifestyle changes

1. Medications

Getting hard orally

The most common oral medication used to treat ED are called “PDE5 inhibitors”. They work by increasing blood flow to the penis, allowing you to achieve and sustain an erection. This class of drugs is often recommended for the initial treatment of ED. They have been clinically proven to be effective, easy to use and have limited side effects.

The four musketeers that belong to this class of “PDE5 inhibitors” are Viagra (sildenafil), Levitra (vardenafil), Cialis (tadalafil) and Spedra (avanafil).

PDE5 inhibitors are like signal jammers. When you get aroused, your body releases nitric oxide which tells your brain to fill it up down there. But PDE5 stops this form happening.

Taking a pill of sildenafil will stop this signal disruption from happening for long enough that you can enjoy your time with your partner.

According to an analysis published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, all of these oral options appear to be equally effective.

Where can I get medication?

In Singapore, the sales of these medications have to be accompanied by a legal prescription.

Here at SIRE, we have medical professionals who are experienced with dealing with sensitive issues like erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation.

Consultations are hassle-free as they are done virtually.

You get to speak to a doctor based in Singapore, who understands the local culture and stigma revolving around ED.

Everything can be done in your home and in privacy.

We also guarantee discreet delivery of treatments to your home. No one needs to know.

So, how do you choose?

It all depends on your lifestyle and preferences leading up to sex. Check out our detailed discussions between Viagra (sildenafil) and Cialis (tadalafil), Viagra (sildenafil) and Spedra (avanafil), Cialis (tadalafil) and Spedra (avanafil).

Inject to get hard

Caverject (alprostadil) is a self-administered penile injection available in Singapore. This is an invasive treatment that has to be started at a clinic setting. Training and education is required to ensure proper self-injection technique.

It is commonly reserved as a second-line treatment option when oral medications do not work out. Although effective, penile pain is the most often cited side effect [1].

 2. Non-surgical devices

Vacuum-assisted erection devices

Mechanical devices have been developed that utilize vacuum pressure to improve blood flow to the penis. A certain amount of dexterity is required to use these devices effectively. With experience, vacuum devices can successfully create erections in as many as 60-70% of patients [2].

Low-intensity extracorporeal shockwave therapy (Li-ESWT)

Li-ESWT is an emerging technology in the treatment of ED. It involves the delivery of several thousand low-intensity shocks to the penis over several weeks. It has been reported to trigger a process that forms new blood vessels, improving blood flow to the penis. It is generally safe and painless. However, it has not been shown to be effective in clinical trials [3].

3. Surgery for erectile dysfunction

Surgical management of ED is commonly reserved as the last line of treatment after exhausting all other options. Penile implants may be recommended in severe ED conditions such as Peyronie’s disease. This happens when scar tissue forms inside the penis resulting in a bent, rather than straight, erect penis.

4. Psychological counseling

ED can be caused by both medical and psychological factors such as anxiety and depression. Stress, work problems, family and relationship issues can have a silent contributing role in ED. Check out how overworking might be giving you ED in this article.

Psychological counseling has been shown to significantly improve ED resulting in successful intercourse [4]. This is usually best accomplished by referral to a certified sexual therapy counselor.

5. Get a health screening

Male menopause, or andropause, is a condition whereby there is an age-related decline in testosterone levels. Low testosterone is a contributing factor to ED. Some men may generally have low testosterone, but it is wise to check if the problem becomes persistent.

ED can also be an early warning sign to other medication problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure or high cholesterol. If you haven’t had a health check in the past 1 or 2 years, speak to your doctor about it.

6. Lifestyle changes

The good news is ED can possibly be reversed by adopting good lifestyle habits [5]. This is because good lifestyle habits tend to give a boost to your testosterone levels, providing a sense of wellness.

Having good general health and wellbeing plays a central role in ensuring good erectile function.

As men, we are particularly acclimatised to value achievement. This can also lead to a toxic desire to overwork and poor sleep habits which can be a cause of your ED.

But one of the best bases for ensuring good men’s health involves a good night’s rest. Getting 7 hours of sleep can cure your ED.

Adopting a healthy diet with regular exercise and reducing smoking and alcohol use has been shown to be beneficial in ED [6].

References:

1. Linet OI, Ogrinc FG. Efficacy and safety of intracavernosal alprostadil in men with erectile dysfunction. The Alprostadil Study Group. N Engl J Med 1996; 334:873.
2. Vrijhof HJ, Delaere KP. Vacuum constriction devices in erectile dysfunction: acceptance and effectiveness in patients with impotence of organic or mixed aetiology. Br J Urol 1994; 74:102.
3. Fojecki GL, Tiessen S, Osther PJ. Effect of Low-Energy Linear Shockwave Therapy on Erectile Dysfunction-A Double-Blinded, Sham-Controlled, Randomized Clinical Trial. J Sex Med 2017; 14:106.
4. Melnik T, Soares BG, Nasselo AG. Psychosocial interventions for erectile dysfunction. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2007; :CD004825.
5. Gupta BP, Murad MH, Clifton MM, et al. The effect of lifestyle modification and cardiovascular risk factor reduction on erectile dysfunction: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Arch Intern Med 2011; 171:1797.
6. Pourmand G, Alidaee MR, Rasuli S, et al. Do cigarette smokers with erectile dysfunction benefit from stopping?: a prospective study. BJU Int 2004; 94:1310.