The History of ED

While still not thoroughly understood by scientists, erectile dysfunction is a medical condition that has been affecting men from all around the world since ancient times.

What were the early treatments?

Doctors first tried to heal the condition in the medieval Islamic world, where physicians would prescribe medication and treatments for the problem. Reports indicate that most doctors prescribed a single drug, whereas others prescribed a combination of drugs, taken while following a certain diet.

Between the 9th and 16th century, a couple of the best-known Muslim doctors did not only prescribed oral drugs and diets, but rather tried a couple of medicine applications as well. Drugs and medication would be applied, and/or inserted via the urethra, in hopes that they would heal the condition.

Treatments based on testosterone

Around the 1800s, doctors believed that impotency was caused by a lack of testosterone in the body. To help counter this issue, sheep testis extract would be injected as a source of the hormone into the body of those affected. This represented the standard procedure, until the 1940s, when testosterone was purified.

Dr. John R Brinkley’s Treatment Plan

Between the 1920s and 1930s, Dr. John R Brinkley tried to cure the condition via various forms of medication. He recommended that patients get goat gland implants, alongside with injections and various surgeries. His medical license was later revoked, and he moved to Mexico where he opened another medical clinic.

The slow, but steady development of medication meant to treat erectile dysfunction (ED)

Unfortunately, most, if not all attempts to treat and perhaps heal impotency failed until 1983, until a British psychologist known by the name of Giles Brindley proceeded to show the American urological Association, the direct effects of phentolamine inducing an actual erection. Tis worked by introducing an alpha-blocking compound in his veins that would introduce smooth muscle relaxation, thus showcasing that once the penile muscles are relaxed, blood is free to flow in, thus causing an erection. His discovery paved the path of future medication of this sort alongside with better oral agents that had the same effect and lead to muscle relaxation, hence erections.

How Viagra was discovered

While treatment for erectile dysfunction did exist, it wasn’t completely trustworthy, and it would fail sometimes. However, the treatment of ED was truly revolutionized upon the discovery of Viagra, also known as sildenafil. Peter Dunn and Albert Wood, employees of Pfizer are the two persons responsible for the discovery of the substance and the appearance of Viagra, after successfully synthesizing the drug in the year of 1989. Fortunately, sildenafil could also be used as a heart medicine.
Later on, Viagra was brought into the pill form that it is known for today.