1. Take the Impotence (ED) Quiz
2. Impotence Slideshow Pictures
3. Sex Drive Killers Slideshow Pictures

Medical Author:

Dennis Lee, MD

Dennis Lee, MD

Dr. Lee was born in Shanghai, China, and received his college and medical training in the United States. He is fluent in English and three Chinese dialects. He graduated with chemistry departmental honors from Harvey Mudd College. He was appointed president of AOA society at UCLA School of Medicine. He underwent internal medicine residency and gastroenterology fellowship training at Cedars Sinai Medical Center.

View Full Profile

Medical Author:

Siamak T. Nabili, MD, MPH

Siamak T. Nabili, MD, MPH

Dr. Nabili received his undergraduate degree from the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), majoring in chemistry and biochemistry. He then completed his graduate degree at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). His graduate training included a specialized fellowship in public health where his research focused on environmental health and health-care delivery and management.

View Full Profile

Medical Editor:

Jay W. Marks, MD

Jay W. Marks, MD

Jay W. Marks, MD, is a board-certified internist and gastroenterologist. He graduated from Yale University School of Medicine and trained in internal medicine and gastroenterology at UCLA/Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.

View Full Profile

Medical Editor:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

View Full Profile

In this Article

• What is erectile dysfunction?
• How common is erectile dysfunction?
• What is normal penis anatomy?
• How does erection occur?
• How is erection sustained?
• What are some of the risk factors for erectile dysfunction?
• What are the causes of erectile dysfunction?
• How is erectile dysfunction diagnosed?
• What are the treatments for erectile dysfunction?
• What medications are used to treat erectile dysfunction?
• Oral phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors
• Sildenafil (Viagra)
• Vardenafil (Levitra)
• Tadalafil (Cialis)
• Intracavernosal injections
• Intraurethral suppositories
• How effective is testosterone in treating erectile dysfunction?
• Can low testosterone level be replaced?
• Vacuum devices
• Surgery for erectile dysfunction
• What will the future bring for erectile dysfunction?
• Erectile Dysfunction At A Glance
• Impotence (Erectile Dysfunction, ED) FAQs
• Patient Comments: Erectile Dysfunction (Impotence) - Treatments
• Patient Comments: Erectile Dysfunction (Impotence) - Share Your Experience
• Find a local Urologist in your town
• Impotence (ED) Index

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 (alprostadil) 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 in the management of erectile dysfunction (success rate of around 80%), they are not widely used because of their potential complications. These injections are painful, can cause scarring of the penis, and have a higher risk of developing priapism.

What are intraurethral suppositories?

Prostaglandin E1 (intraurethral alprostadil or MUSE) 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. This drug is now rarely used since the introduction of oral medications, however, it may play a role in management of erectile dysfunction in those who are not a candidate for oral PDE5 medications.