From the Guidelines
Hydrotherapy is not a recommended or proven treatment for erectile dysfunction (ED). The most effective treatments for ED include oral medications like sildenafil (Viagra), tadalafil (Cialis), vardenafil (Levitra), or avanafil (Stendra); vacuum erection devices; penile injections with medications like alprostadil; intraurethral suppositories; testosterone replacement if deficient; or penile implants for severe cases.
Key Points to Consider
- According to the American College of Physicians, initiating therapy with a PDE-5 inhibitor is recommended for men seeking treatment for ED without contraindications 1.
- The choice of a specific PDE-5 inhibitor should be based on individual preferences, including ease of use, cost of medication, and adverse effects profile 1.
- While some people claim that certain water-based therapies like contrast baths (alternating hot and cold water) might improve circulation, there is no scientific evidence supporting hydrotherapy as an effective treatment for ED.
- Men experiencing ED should consult a healthcare provider for proper diagnosis and treatment, as ED can be a symptom of underlying health conditions like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or hormonal imbalances.
- Lifestyle modifications including regular exercise, maintaining healthy weight, limiting alcohol, quitting smoking, and managing stress can also help improve erectile function alongside medical treatments.
Recommendations for Treatment
- PDE-5 inhibitors are the first-line treatment for ED, with sildenafil and tadalafil being common choices.
- Testosterone replacement therapy may be considered for men with low testosterone levels, but the evidence is inconclusive about its effectiveness in managing ED.
- Lifestyle modifications should be encouraged to improve overall health and potentially improve erectile function.
From the Research
Hydrotherapy for Erectile Dysfunction
There is no direct evidence of hydrotherapy being used to treat erectile dysfunction in the provided studies. However, some studies mention the use of vacuum erection devices (VEDs) as a treatment option for erectile dysfunction.
Vacuum Erection Devices
- VEDs are a non-invasive treatment option for erectile dysfunction, and some studies suggest they can be effective in improving erectile function 2, 3, 4.
- A study found that 66.6% of patients preferred sildenafil over VEDs, while 33.3% preferred VEDs due to fewer adverse side effects and ease of use 2.
- Combination therapy of sildenafil and VEDs has been shown to be effective in men with diabetes who are dissatisfied with sildenafil monotherapy 3.
- The use of VEDs plus once-daily tadalafil has been found to improve clinical outcomes after extracorporeal shock wave therapy in men with erectile dysfunction associated with Peyronie's disease 4.
Other Treatment Options
- Phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE5i) such as sildenafil, tadalafil, vardenafil, and avanafil are commonly used to treat erectile dysfunction, with a success rate of 60-65% 5.
- Patient-administered intracorporal injection therapy using vasodilator drugs such as alprostadil is an effective treatment option for men who fail to respond to oral pharmacological agents 5.
- Surgical treatment options such as penile arterial revascularisation and venous ligation surgery are available, but have relatively poor outcome results 5.