Impotence (ED) (cont.)

Intracavernosal injections

What are intracavernosal injections?

Medications can be injected directly into the corpora cavernosa to attain and maintain erections. Medications such as papaverine hydrochloride, phentolamine, and prostaglandin E1 can be used alone or in combinations to attain erections. Combining small amounts of each drug is preferred over using a single drug because of increased efficacy and fewer side effects. Even though such injections can be effective, they are not widely used because the injections are painful, there may be scarring of the penis, and there is a risk of developing priapism.

Intraurethral suppositories

What are intraurethral suppositories?

Prostaglandin E1 can be inserted in a pellet (suppository) form into the urethra to attain erections. This technique also is not popular because of occasional side effects of pain in the penis and sometimes in the testicles, mild urethral bleeding, dizziness, and vaginal itching in the sex partner. Men also need to remain standing after inserting the pellet in order to increase blood flow to the penis, and it may take 15-30 minutes to attain an erection. Prostaglandin can cause uterine contractions and should not be used by men having intercourse with pregnant women unless condoms or other barrier devices are used.

Vacuum devices

What are vacuum devices?

Mechanical vacuum devices cause an erection by creating a vacuum around the penis that draws blood into the penis, engorging it and expanding it. The devices have three components:

1. A plastic cylinder, in which the penis is placed;
2. A pump, which draws air out of the cylinder; and
3. An elastic band, which is placed around the base of the penis, to maintain the erection after the cylinder is removed and during intercourse by preventing blood from flowing back into the body (see figure 2).

One variation of the vacuum device involves a semirigid rubber sheath that is placed on the penis and remains there after attaining erection and during intercourse.

Next: Surgery for erectile dysfunction »

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