Erectile dysfunction affects about 30 million men in the United States. Standard treatments include pills like sildenafil and tadalafil, vacuum devices, injections, and penile implants. Many cases stem from blood vessel problems, nerve damage from diabetes or surgery, low testosterone, or psychological factors.
What's actually going on in research
Trials are testing low-intensity shockwave therapy to restore blood flow, stem cell injections to repair damaged tissue, and gene therapy approaches. Studies also examine new oral medications, topical gels, and better outcomes after prostate surgery. Researchers are pursuing treatments that address underlying causes rather than just managing symptoms.
Regenerative approaches
Stem cell injections and platelet-rich plasma aim to repair blood vessels and nerve tissue in the penis. Early studies suggest some men regain function without needing pills before each encounter.
Shockwave therapy
Low-intensity sound waves may trigger new blood vessel growth in penile tissue. Trials are testing whether a series of office treatments can produce lasting improvement.
Post-surgery recovery
Studies are testing penile rehabilitation programs after prostate cancer surgery. The goal is to preserve erectile function by maintaining blood flow and tissue health during the recovery period.
What to know before you search
Eligibility typically depends on the cause of erectile dysfunction, whether standard treatments have been tried, overall health conditions like diabetes or heart disease, and recent surgeries.
What types of trials are currently open
- Treatment trials — Testing new oral medications, topical gels, or injections that may work faster or last longer than current options.
- Device trials — Studies of shockwave devices, vacuum therapy improvements, or new implant designs.
- Regenerative medicine trials — Testing stem cells, platelet-rich plasma, or growth factors to repair damaged penile tissue.
- Surgical recovery trials — Testing rehabilitation strategies to preserve erectile function after prostate or pelvic surgery.
- Diagnostic studies — Studies using imaging or testing to better understand what causes erectile dysfunction in different men.
Recently added Erectile Dysfunction trials
Take an oral supplement or pill for erectile dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction is a common male sexual health problem that may affect quality of life and sexual relationships. Tadalafil 5 mg once daily is an established oral treatment for erectile dysfunction. L-citrulline is an oral nitric oxide pathway supplement that may improve erectile function by increasing L-arginine availability. This randomized trial will compare three oral treatment regimens in men with mild to moderate erectile dysfunction: L-citrulline 1500 mg/day, tadalafil 5 mg/day, and the combination of L-citrulline 1500 mg/day plus tadalafil 5 mg/day. Participants will receive treatment for 12 weeks and will be followed at baseline, week 4, week 8, and week 12. The primary outcome will be the change in the International Index of Erectile Function-Erectile Function domain score from baseline to 12 weeks. Secondary outcomes will include changes in IIEF-5/SHIM score, Erection Hardness Score, SEP diary outcomes, treatment adherence, adverse events, and treatment discontinuation.
Receive a new intraurethral paste treatment for erectile dysfunction
This is a single arm dose escalation trial of a mucoadhesive intraurethral polymer suspension of alprostadil (ST-04) and will investigate the efficacy of 3 dose levels of ST-04 in adult males with a clinical diagnosis of Erectile Dysfunction (ED). This study aims to determine if ST-04, with or without sildenafil, will improve erectile function (EF) compared to baseline. Participants in this study will receive ST-04, a new formulation containing the vasodilator, alprostadil which is known to be an effective drug in treating erectile dysfunction. ST-04 will be dispersed along the urethra, forming a hydrogel which adheres to the lining of the urethra with the goal of penile tumescence and erection. Participants may receive up to 3 dose level escalations of ST-04 over a 12-week period, for a total of up to 11 administrations of ST-04. Dose escalation may also be done with and without sildenafil.
Find Erectile Dysfunction trials matched specifically to you
Answer 3 quick questions and we'll show you trials that fit your situation.