In order to achieve an erection, two chambers inside the penis fill up with blood when you become sexually stimulated. Erectile dysfunction, also known as "impotence," is characterized by not being able to maintain an erection long enough to complete a sexual encounter. If you are suffering from impotence, there are several steps you can take to reverse it that involve both clinical and natural methods.

1. Take a medication. Phosphodiesterase inhibitors are prescription drugs that can be used to help promote erections. They work by relaxing penile muscles that are pivotal for blood flow. Examples of these include tadalafil, sildenafil and vardenafil.

2. Use a battery-operated device. A penis pump is a circular tube that you place over your penis. Air is siphoned out, a vacuum effect takes place and blood flows into the penis, causing an erection. You then place a tension ring on the bottom of your penis to prevent the back flow of blood. After you are done having sex, you remove the ring.

3. Get surgery. If the reason for your erectile dysfunction stems from an injury you received to the penile area, you can get vascular surgery. This is done to increase blood flow that has been blocked off.

4. Use an injection. Alprostadil is a medication that you can self-inject into the base of your penis to achieve an erection. Once you do this, an erection can develop in about 5 to 20 minutes. This medication is sometimes mixed with other drugs like phentolamine and papaverine.

5. Insert a suppository. Alprostadil can also be used through another method. You can get an applicator that contains a suppository and insert it about 2 inches into your urethra. An erection then develops when the tissue inside the penis absorbs the medication. The suppository is smaller than a grain of rice.

6. Stop smoking. Smoking causes damage to the lungs, and it can also cause damage to the blood vessels that lead to the penis. Blood flow can become restricted, and erectile dysfunction can develop. To reverse this, quit smoking and also avoid secondhand smoke. You should also avoid or stop taking illicit drugs and high amounts of alcohol as they can also lead to erectile dysfunction.

7. Become more relaxed. The process involved with achieving an erection starts in the mind. If you are nervous, stressed, anxious, depressed or experiencing fear, erectile dysfunction can take place. To reverse this, participate in some form of relaxation activity like yoga, tai chi, meditative breathing, muscle relaxation or listening to music.

8. Lose excess weight. Being overweight increases your risk for many debilitating diseases. According to the Mayo Clinic, if you are obese, you are much more likely to have erectile dysfunction than normal-weight men. To reverse your erectile dysfunction, lose excess weight.