Adult and Pediatric Urology
The develpment of oral medications for ED is one of the biggest advances in men’s health ever, and roughly 2/3 of men get significant improvement in their erections with medication alone. However, some men do not get the improvement they need, others have bothersome side effects, and some men cannot take these medications for other health reasons. Many men may believe that they are destined to live the rest of their life without being able to have intercourse, but this does not need to be the case! The truth is: there are other treatments for ED that can allow almost any man to have a satisfying sexual relationship. Which treatment is best depends on a man’s motivation to be sexually active, individual preferences, and the needs and feelings of a man’s partner.
It is very important that a man involve his partner in decisions regarding treatment of erectile dysfunction. Some partners may have strong feelings regarding certain types of treatment, and almost all will have questions that the patient or doctor can answer. In addition, finding the best way to improve the sexual relationship for a couple involves addressing any medical or psychological concerns in a man and his partner, such as pain during intercourse, problems with vaginal dryness, decreased sex drive, or other issues. We encourage men and their partners to come to appointments together to discuss treatment options.
Surgical implant of an inflatable penile prosthesis is a very sucessful way for men to have good sexual function without the need for oral medications, injections, or constriction rings on the penis. Our urologists have extensive experience with this kind of surgery. Click here to learn more about this excellent treatment option for ED.
Penile injection therapy first became available in the early 1980’s, and was more widely used before medications such as Viagra became available. Men inject a medication into the penis when they want to have an erection, and within 10 minutes can have a fully rigid erection that lasts for 30-60 minutes. The needles used for injection are tiny and most men don’t feel any more discomfort than a pin prick. These drugs may create unwanted side effects, however, including persistent erection (known as priapism) and scarring. Click here to learn more about penile injection therapy.
Click here to see an instuctional video about the MUSE system
MUSE is a medication that is inserted into the urethral opening at the end of the penis with a small plastic applicator. The medication is pushed out into the urethra, where it melts and is absorbed into the penis. The medication causes the blood vessels in the penis to open and blood flow into the penis increases. Many men will get a partial erection from MUSE, but only 15-25% will get an erection that is adequate for intercourse. The main side effect is pain in the penis. Click here to learn more about MUSE therapy.
Click here to see an instructional video about the Vacuum Erection Device
Mechanical vacuum erection devices create erection by creating a partial vacuum which draws blood into the penis, engorging and expanding it. This type of treatment has been around since the late 1960s, and many men are very satisfied with it. Some men find that the vacuum and constricting band are uncomfortable, and others feel that the procedure lacks the spontaneity of other treatments. This treatment is covered by Medicare, and we can arrange for an in-office demonstration of the device with a representative from the manufacturer so that men try the device before they purchase it. Click here to learn more about this device.
Depending on his motivation, almost every man can recover his ability to have satisfying sexual intercourse. However, there is no “magic” treatment that can restore the natural sexual function that men remember from their youth. There are a number of factors that a man should consider when choosing a treatment for ED. Each man will have different feelings about the available treatments, and the partner’s feelings need to be considered, too. A penile doppler study, a test performed in the office, can give the urologist valuable information about a man’s blood vessel health and help to guide treatment decisions. Many men try several options before they find the one that works best. We have had outstanding success with penile prosthesis surgery for men with ED who fail medications, and have many other patients who have been successful with each of the treatments described above. Our urologists are experts at helping men make these difficult decisions.