Transcript: One in ten American men suffer from erectile dysfunction. If you’re among them, keep watching for treatments that can help.  Men who experience difficulty getting or maintaining an erection long enough to engage in sexual activity may have erectile dysfunction, or ED. Often, treatment starts with prescription medication. There are currently three drugs approved by the FDA to treat ED: Cialis, Levitra and Viagra. Each works in the same way. When a man becomes erect, the arteries in his penis carry blood through the spongy tissue inside. When genital blood doesn’t flow properly, these medications can increase blood flow to the penis, resulting in an erection.  All ED drugs should be taken about thirty minutes to an hour before sexual activity. The effects of Levitra and Viagra can last up to five hours, while Cialis can last up to 36. If a man does not respond to erectile dysfunction medications, his doctor may recommend a vacuum constriction device, or penis pump.  The device works like this: The pump is placed over the penis. Then, air is pumped out of the cylinder so that a vacuum is created, drawing blood into the shaft and causing an erection. A retaining band is attached to the lower end of the penis to maintain the erection.  Over 50 percent of men who use a vacuum constriction device are satisfied with the results. These are often people who have poor blood flow to the penis, diabetes, or psychological issues, like anxiety. An erection obtained in this manner tends to be purplish in color. Other side effects include a small bruise on the penis shaft and a decrease in the force of ejaculation. Another, more drastic, option for treating ED is a penile implant. This is not usually considered unless there is a clear medical cause for ED that is unlikely to improve. The penile prosthesis is usually inflatable. It has two cylinders that are placed in the penis and connected by tubing to a reservoir of fluid, which is located under the groin muscles. A pump is also added, under the skin of the scrotum.  To inflate the penis implant, a man presses on this pump in the scrotum. The pump then transfers fluid from the reservoir into the cylinders in the penis, inflating them and causing an erection. Similarly, a valve returns the fluid to the reservoir and deflates the penis.  Although a penile prosthesis does not change the sensation in the penis, once the prosthesis has been implanted, most men cannot get an erection naturally ever again.  Despite this, up to 90 percent of men are satisfied with the results of their penile prosthesis.  For men who have psychological problems that lead to ED, both sex therapy and individual counseling can help minimize the condition.  Erectile dysfunction is common, but a number of treatment options can stop it from permanently affecting a couple’s sex life. Remember to talk to your doctor before starting any treatment for ED.