Impotence, or erectile dysfunction, is an all-too-repeated issue among millions of men around the world. It refers to an inability to maintain or achieve a good erection for sex. While many different treatments for ED exist, penile injections are in vogue today. This essay will discuss the efficacy, risks and cost of penile injections for ED.
Knowing Penile Injection
Penile injections are intracavernosal therapies, in which a medicine is injected directly into the penis to induce an erection. The most common drugs are alprostadil (a synthetic form of prostaglandin E1), but other drugs such as papaverine and phentolamine can be used either alone or together.
These injections increase blood supply to the penis, so engorgement and maintaining an erection are sufficient for sex. It works well for a lot of men, but you need to know what the pros and cons are.
How to Administer Penile Injections
The drug is typically administered orally via a very fine needle into the base or the side of the penis. Often, patients are taught effective procedures that minimise discomfort and optimise performance. The timing of injection is critical: in most cases, injections are given between 5 and 20 minutes before sexual activity.
Effectiveness:
Intracavernosal injections or penile injections involve putting drugs right into the penis to produce an erection. The most commonly prescribed penile injection drug is alprostadil, a vasodilator that dilates the muscles of the penis so blood flows into the area to form an erection. Other medications prescribed for penile injections are papaverine and phentolamine.
A 2009 report in the Journal of Sexual Medicine says penile injections are effective in treating ED in as many as 80 per cent of men who undergo the procedure. This makes it an exciting option for those who aren’t able to tolerate oral medications like Viagra or Cialis. Penile injections also help men who suffer from diseases that can make oral medication ineffective, like diabetes or heart disease.
Risks:
Although highly successful, penile injections also carry some risks and complications. The most common adverse effects include pain or discomfort at the injection site, inflamed erections (priapism), and bleeding or scarring of the penis. On occasion, penile injections can also cause what’s called fibrosis, a development of scar tissue in the penis that curvatures it and inhibits erections.
Penis injections can be prone to infection, too, since the needle in the injection can transport bacteria into the penis. That risk can be mitigated by performing safe injections and operating sterile instruments.
Costs:
The price of penile injections for ED varies with the type of drug administered and the amount of time required. An injection typically costs between $20 and $80, and a monthly supply can run between $400 to $800. This can become costly in the long run and some may not be possible for all of us.
There might be added expenses for doctor visits and follow-up visits to keep track of the results and side effects in addition to the cost of the medication. Some insurance companies may pay for penile injections, but you’ll want to double-check with your company first.
Alternative Treatment Options:
Although penile injections are an effective treatment for ED, not everyone needs them. Men might be uneasy about putting drugs in their penis and the risks and costs can scare them off. There are, thankfully, alternative remedies for ED, such as oral drugs, vacuum machines and penile implants.
Oral Medications:
ED treatment is usually administered orally and has proven to be effective. Such drugs operate by delivering more blood to the penis, and thus resulting in an erection. The most common ED drugs available over the counter are sildenafil (Viagra), tadalafil (Cialis), vardenafil (Levitra) and avanafil (Stendra). These medications are generally very well tolerated, but they may cause headache, flushing, indigestion, and visual disturbances. It is important to talk with your doctor before taking oral medications for ED because they are potentially cross-reactive with other medications and not recommended for all men.
Vacuum Devices:
Another effective treatment for ED is the use of vacuum compression devices (VCDs). Such gadgets create a vacuum around the penis, drawing blood into the penis and producing an erection. Once an erection is created, a compression band is applied at the base of the penis to maintain it. VCDs are relatively safe and may be prescribed to men who are either not a candidate for oral medication or who have been intolerant of oral medicines. Some men, however, may experience numbness, bleeding, or discomfort from VCD use.
Penile Implants:
Penile implants are surgical treatments for ED that involve placing a device inside the penis. These can be inflatable or semi-rigid, and are meant to provide men with an erection. Men usually have a preference for a pediment that does not respond to other treatments, including in-office drugs or vacuum machines. Although very effective, penile implants carry more risks than other therapies of infection, device damage and mechanical failure.
Conclusion:
Penile injections are, so to speak, excellent treatment for ED in men who are not well-responded to oral medications and people with other conditions. But the risks and expenses might not be for everyone. Your physician will need to decide whether penile injections are the right thing for you and the technique to be used and what precautions should be taken. If penile injections aren’t an option, you have to look for alternatives.
