Erectile Dysfunction - DKSH x Cialis (Part 4)

What are Your Thoughts on “Natural Cures” for Erectile Dysfunction?

All these natural cures out there range from pomegranate juice, garlic, onions, and the very famous Tongkat Ali – can they cure ED? Should I just go onto the internet, buy these things, and take it for myself? All of these things are harmless. If you try them and they work for you, fantastic. But let's look at the scientific evidence behind such supplements.

Let's look at Tongkat Ali first since it is the most famous locally. It is derived from this herb called Eurycoma Longifolia. There were actually studies done in a Malaysian university on animals. Now, can this be extrapolated to humans? As far as I know, there are no human studies. But like I said, if you take it, you find that works, it is harmless, please continue it.

But one word of caution. Because I did see a patient who sourced a Tongkat Ali online. Unfortunately, the medicine that he got was actually laced with a prescription, an erectile dysfunction drug. So, he felt like it worked greatly, but he was getting side effects. So, when I actually looked at the medicine he was taking, I found it actually contained a prescription ingredient. And this can be quite dangerous if it's not properly controlled by a doctor.

Are Penis Pumps, Sex Toys a Treatment for Erectile Dysfunction?

Well, really, they are both. Let's look at how a penis pump works. It is basically a rigid plastic tube they put over the penis, which creates a vacuum around the penis. Blood is then drawn because of the vacuum pressure drawn into the penis. And then, what some patients will do is they will put a constricting device at the base of the penis. Basically, like a really tight rubber band and this prevents the blood from flowing back down and therefore, blood is retained in the penis and the erection is maintained. Doctors do prescribe penis pumps in certain situations to help with erectile dysfunction.

Number one, using penis pumps without the constriction ring. Any part of the body that does not get fresh blood flow will become unhealthy. So, if you put a really tight rubber band at the base of your finger and left it there, there's no blood flow in the finger, what happens to the finger? The finger probably would die off, right?

So, it’s the same thing. If the body's not pushing fresh blood with oxygen and nutrients into the penis, then the tissue of the penis will start to get unhealthy. Some doctors will actually advise regular use of the penis pump just to get fresh blood and nutrients into the penis without using the constriction ring.

So, think of it as like physiotherapy for the penis; and yes, like how we describe just now how to use the penis pump about getting it erected, and then using a constriction ring is also a so-called treatment or cure for erectile dysfunction. But these days, given the much more convenient options that we have, like the tablets, this form of treatment really has fallen out of favor.

Is Shockwave Therapy Painful?

I know the name sounds very scary, so let us give it a less scary-sounding full name. The full name is Low Intensity Electro Shockwave Therapy, so maybe that sounds better. The fact is it because it is a low intensity shockwave means it is absolutely painless. Low Intensity Electro Shockwave Therapy is shooting painless shockwaves into the penis to open up the blood vessels of the penis, and to stimulate the body to create new blood vessels, a process we call vasculogenesis. So, the question is, any advice for men who suffer from ED or erectile dysfunction, who are afraid or embarrassed to see a doctor?

Don't be, as ED is a symptom of a disease. If your throat hurts, if your knee hurts, if your tummy hurts, you have no problem seeing a doctor. Erectile dysfunction is a symptom. It's not about sex. If you have erectile dysfunction and you tell yourself, I am old enough, I do not intend to have any more sex, fine. That is a perfectly logical lifestyle choice you made for yourself. But it doesn't mean you should ignore the symptom as that could be a sign of a more serious underlying disease.