Whether you’re scared of needles or not, the thought of having an injection into certain parts of the body may seem extra scary. Your eye would be one such location, and of course, the penis would be another major one. It’s easy to imagine horror movie-type scenarios, but there are many reasons to face your fears and reap the benefits when it comes to injection therapy for erectile dysfunction (ED) because the reality of the procedure isn’t really as scary as it seems.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, as many as 52% of men have ED, and while the chances do increase with age, approximately 40% of men in their 40s and 70% of people over age 70 live with this condition.
If you’re one of the many people dealing with this condition, then injection therapy may be the answer. Let’s take a look at this option!
What is injection therapy?
Injection therapy refers to the self-administered injection of a specific ED drug, usually alprostadil, which goes by several brand names. When injected into the erectile tissue, which is in the middle third of the length of the penis, this medication causes the blood vessels in the area to expand, and blood flow increases throughout the body. As this happens, blood enters the penis, causing an erection in much the same way the typical erection would be achieved in a person without ED, but much more efficiently.
If you’re allergic to or can’t take alprostadil for some reason, papaverine is another injection therapy option that may work for some people.
How effective is injection therapy?
Studies show that 80% of men obtain an erection suitable for intercourse when using injection therapy. In contrast, common pill treatments for ED often don’t work well or last long enough in people with common medical conditions like diabetes or psychological conditions like anxiety or depression. For this reason, injection therapy is the better option in many individuals, especially if the pills don’t work for them.
After you or your partner administer this injection, it begins to work within five to 20 minutes, but you should wait at least 10 minutes and in some cases 30 minutes before having sex. An alprostadil-induced erection lasts about one hour; however, you should know that unlike erections that you may have achieved naturally in years past, the erection may not immediately go down after ejaculation. You should only use injection therapy once every 24 hours. Misusing this drug by failing to wait 10-30 minutes or using it more frequently than once a day can damage the penis permanently.
Some people opt for a suppository form of this drug that requires you to place a very small “pill” into the urethra (tip of the penis), but it’s generally less effective, and some people may find that even more scary than a needle.
Am I a good candidate for injection therapy?
Your doctor at Male Method evaluates whether you’re a good candidate before writing your prescription, and you should keep your doctor informed about any possible side effects.
A person who is a good candidate generally has erectile dysfunction and is healthy enough to have sex. They may have tried pills or other options and were unhappy with the results. In addition, the doctor will consider whether you’re:
- Allergic to alprostadil
- Are taking any drugs that may have negative interactions with alprostadil
- Have a penile implant
- Have a history of painful, long-lasting erections not caused by sexual stimulation
How does Male Method help patients receiving injection therapy?
Your doctor at Male Method walks you through how to safely administer the injection with the least discomfort. He discusses any possible side effects to be on the lookout for and encourages you to keep an open line of communication if you experience any unexpected side effects.
You don’t have to live with erectile dysfunction. Even if you’ve tried and failed other options, injection therapy may be exactly what you need to achieve your goals. Book online today.
