Erectile dysfunction (ED) is the inability to maintain an erection long enough during sex. That said, it is not necessarily a cause of concern. However, if the problem is ongoing, it can be stress-inducing and might even hamper self-confidence or lead to relationship trouble. How to cure ED? Let us address some treatment options for ED.

1. Oral medications
ED medications can be consumed orally, inserted into the penile gland, or injected directly into the organ. Usually, when one seeks treatment for ED, the first thing a doctor prescribes is pills, such as vardenafil (Staxyn, Levitra), sildenafil (Viagra), tadalafil (Cialis), and avanafil (Stendra). These medications should be consumed anytime between 15 minutes and 36 hours before sex. The duration depends on the kind of medicine consumed. However, as a general rule of thumb, it is essential not to consume these tablets more than once a day. Most medications, except Staxyn, are swallowed. Staxyn will dissolve in the mouth. In eighty percent of cases, these pills work fine.

2. Injectable medicines and suppositories
In some cases, the doctor may recommend injecting a medicine, such as alprostadil, into the penile gland. Though oral medications work well to better sexual stimulation, some people still prefer injections. It is because injections stimulate an automatic erection. Alternatively, some may even prefer an alprostadil suppository into the urethra. A suppository is a kind of medication that is inserted into the body where it dissolves. The doctor may insert the prefilled applicator approximately an inch into the urethra. After insertion, the medicine will show its effect in eight to ten minutes, and the erection may last anywhere between thirty and sixty minutes. 

3. Penis pumps, surgery, and implants
If the above two methods fail, doctors may recommend a different treatment. It includes the following:

• Penis pumps
  It is a hollow tube that has a battery-powered or a hand-powered pump. The tube is placed onto the penis, and the pump helps in sucking the air inside the tube. The pump creates a vacuum, which sucks the blood into the penis. After getting an erection, the tension ring needs to be slipped around the organ’s base. This holds back the blood and keeps the region firm. After this, the device is removed. In this case, the erection lasts long enough for an individual to have sex.
• Penile implants
  In this treatment, the devices are surgically placed inside the penis. The implants comprise malleable or inflatable rods. Malleable rods help ensure that the penis stays firm but bendable, and the inflatable devices help keep control of when and how long one has an erection. 

Until all the other methods have been tried, penile implants are usually not recommended. However, the implants do have a good satisfaction level amongst people who have failed to get the desired results with other treatment methods.  

As for the surgery, there is an associated risk of infection, and implants are not recommended if one has an existing urinary tract infection.