Erectile dysfunction is a common condition affecting nearly 30 million American men. It wasn’t long ago that most cases were thought to be do to psychological causes. Now we know that most men have a physical cause.
Erectile dysfunction occurs with greater frequency after age 40, although it is not inevitable consequence of aging. The condition can result from complications of chronic conditions, such as coronary artery disease, high cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, and diabetes mellitus. Side effects of surgery, medications, and psychological influences are also associated with impotence, as are lifestyle factors such as high-fat diet, drug abuse, excessive alcohol consumption and smoking.
Since July 1995, prostaglandin (Caverject) has been approved by the Federal Drug Administration for the treatment of impotence. Prostaglandin offers men and their partners hope for a problem for which there was previously no approved medication.
Caverject is administered via a small needle through the skin on the top of the penis. The drug works by relaxing smooth muscle tissue, which, in turn, enhances the blood flow into the penis, creating an erection. The drug is used for the treatment of erectile dysfunction, whether the cause is neurological, vascular, or psychological. Men who choose this treatment option receive an initial injection from their physician to determine the optimum dosing. Then the patient can administer prostaglandin once he has been trained in the technique of self-injection.
Prostaglandin is only available by prescription.
An erection usually occurs 3-5 minutes after the injection and will last for 30-45 minutes. Men are able to enjoy orgasm and normal ejaculation using prostaglandin injection. However, the recommendation is to limit the use to twice a week. Side effects include slight pain at the site of the injection, occasional bruising, and less than 3 percent will have an erection that requires medication to reverse the drug effect.
The results of using prostaglandin are favorable since more than 80 percent of patients diagnosed with erectile dysfunction who use prostaglandin experience an erection adequate for sexual intimacy.
If you suffer from erectile dysfunction, it is a good idea to see your physician so that the proper diagnosis can be made and the appropriate dose of prostaglandin can be selected. It is now possible to find an effective treatment for most men who suffer from this common medical problem that significantly impacts a man’s quality of life.
Bottom Line: If you have tried one of the oral medications for erectile dysfunction and you are not receiving the result you would like, consider self-injection therapy with prostaglandin
Dr. Neil Baum's Urology Blog 