Check Out 5 ED Treatments You Need to Try

If you struggle with erectile dysfunction (ED), you're not alone—about 52 percent of men do. Many options exist to tackle this problem, from wearable devices such as the FDA-registered Class II medical device Eddie by Giddy^® to oral medications aimed at helping you and your partner enjoy a fulfilling sex life. Check out the treatments below that are simple, non-invasive and highly effective, and things will be looking up—literally—in no time.

Mental health treatments

About 1 in 4 American adults experience some form of mental health disorder in a given year, including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and more. And these issues aren't all in your head: Mental health conditions and chronic stress are risk factors for ED and can hinder your performance in the bedroom.

Addressing your mental health problems is often a successful way of getting to the source of your ED. Fortunately, mental health treatments can improve your mood and restore sexual function in many cases. See your doctor to determine which treatment is best for you. They may recommend one of the following.

1. Counseling

Counseling can help improve many mental health concerns. A mental health specialist can teach you ways to cope with your condition, improve your mood and break addictive habits.

Studies have shown that cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is an effective treatment for a wide array of mental health issues, or your doctor may refer you to a 12-step program or support group.

2. Medications

Taking medications can reduce symptoms associated with depression, anxiety, PTSD and other disorders. Some medications can diminish cravings for addictive substances or make withdrawal symptoms less severe.

Your doctor can let you know if you're a candidate for medications and which are best for you. However, some antidepressants have been known to impact libido and even cause ED, so you should discuss all your sexual health concerns with your doctor before you start a new medication.

3. Lifestyle changes

Numerous lifestyle changes can improve your mood and decrease the incidence of ED. Examples include eating healthy foods, exercising regularly, getting at least seven hours of sleep each night and not smoking or drinking excessive amounts of alcohol.

Spending time outdoors, reducing stress in your life and practicing relaxation techniques can also boost your mood.

4. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)

When depression is not resolved with typical treatment options, some people have found relief with transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), according to the Cleveland Clinic. This procedure, approved by the Food and Drug Administration, uses noninvasive magnetic pulses against the scalp to stimulate nerve cells in the brain. TMS comes with a significant time investment, though, as qualified patients typically receive four or five treatments a week for six weeks, at 30 to 40 minutes per session.

You'll also want to check with your insurance provider to see if this treatment is covered because the copayment can amount to a significant expense.

5. More sex

Believe it or not, having sex more often may reduce your risk of developing ED in the first place. In a study of men ages 55 to 75, the men who reported having intercourse less than once a week had twice the rate of erectile dysfunction as men who reported having sex once per week, according to the American Journal of Medicine. The incidence of ED was 79 in 1,000 for men who had sex less than once weekly; 32 in 1,000 for men reporting once-weekly intercourse; and only 16 in 1,000 for men who had sex three or more times per week.

Having sex as a preventive treatment for ED may sound too good to be true, but the correlation makes sense. Men who are in better general health have more sex and enjoy a better quality of life.

The bottom line

The treatment that works best for you will depend on the underlying causes. Men who suffer some health conditions may have restrictions on what sort of treatment they can use, or they may not like the side effects of common treatments. Eddie® is a safe treatment that does not have the side effects of prescription pills, nor does it require a prescription to obtain.

Getting to the root cause of your ED is the only way to determine the best treatment for you. Talk to your doctor about your symptoms so he can evaluate the possible causes. You might find that mental health treatments, lifestyle changes or having more sex are better choices than penis implants or other surgical procedures when it comes to enhancing erections and restoring your sex life.