My options
 
There are a number of ways to manage your erection problems.  
 
Although certain medications can make a big difference, some people don't feel comfortable taking them. But the good news is that there are also some simple, non-medical ways you can help to improve your sex drive.  
 
Counselling or couples therapy may be a useful way to help overcome erection problems in those patients where psychological issues are the cause of their problem.

Using medicines 
There are four main types of medicine designed to help you overcome erection problems.  
 
Your doctor will prescribe the one that suits your condition and situation best.  
 
This may be tablets which you take orally, a special injection which you give yourself, a pellet which you insert into your penis before sex or ongoing hormone treatment.  
 
Find out more about how medicines fit in. 
 
Other medical options 
In cases that do not respond to medication, your doctor may suggest you get physical assistance achieving an erection. 
 
This can be done with a vacuum device that encourages blood to flow into the penis and keeps it there for about 30 minutes. Or he or she may suggest a penile prosthesis, which holds your penis erect using either semi-rigid rods or a pump implanted in the scrotum. As other, more effective treatments have become available, these operations are less frequently used. 
 
Lifestyle changes 
In the longer term, making a few adjustments to what you eat and drink and your physical activity can, in some cases, make a difference to your erection problems.  
 
For example, trying to eat a healthier diet including lots of fresh fruits and vegetables and foods low in saturated fats can keep your arteries healthy and help improve your circulation. Mild exercise can also make a difference. 
 
Giving up smoking and cutting back on your drinking can also help. Doing one or both of these may feel really daunting. However, if it has a positive impact on your love life, it may be well worth it. 
 
Find out more about what you should be eating (and what you shouldn't) if you are concerned about erection problems.