In America millions of men suffer from erectile dysfunction.

Erectile dysfunction, which is commonly known as impotence, is the inability to achieve or maintain an erection during sex.

Nearly 70 percent of impotence stems from the damaging effects of vascular disease. Health conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes can affect an erection. These particular health conditions can obstruct blood flow into the penis and a reduction of blood flow out of the penis. However, several men are unaware that impotence may be linked to existing health problems. In addition, obesity may be another leading factor because it can lower a man's testosterone levels.

According to Robert Calvert, urologist at the Royal Liverpool Hospital, men should get tested for blood pressure, cholesterol and sugar levels.

However, for impotence there a number of things a man can do to increase blood flow to the penis, such as blood supply boosting drugs, a vacuum pump, shock therapy, muscle relaxing jabs, pellets and much more.

Blood supply boosting drugs, such as Viagra, boost the blood supply to the penis. Viagra works by blocking an enzyme found mainly in the penis that breaks down chemicals produced during sexual stimulation. It allows the erection to last longer.

A vacuum pump is an external pump with a band on it that men can used to get and maintain an erection. The pump causes blood to rush to the penis, causing an erection. Once the penis has formed an erection a ring or band is placed around the shaft to sustain the erection.

In a study that was published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine, shock therapy proved to be another successful remedy for impotence. Doctors shock the penis with sound waves. Nearly 30 percent of men involved in the study achieved normal sexual function.

Muscle relaxing injections involve a naturally occurring chemical, prostaglandin E1, being injected into the penile tissues. The chemical allows the blood vessels to widen by relaxing the thin layer of muscle in the blood vessel wall, creating an erection.

Pellet treatments involves are approximately 3mm long and 1mm in diameter. Similar to the injection treatment, the pellets contain the drug prostaglandin E1. The pellets are pushed into the end of the penis, using a thin rod.

Each treatment comes with its pros and cons. If you are experiencing erectile dysfunction, contact your health care provider to rule out any underlying health condition. Make sure you discuss any risks and discuss with your doctor if you are healthy enough for sex before making any decision to treat erectile dysfunction.