Other Options to Gain an Erection

One option is to inject the penis with medication when you want an erection. Medications that may be used include papaverine, phentolamine, or alprostadil with normal saline (salt water). Although this sounds a bit scary, the needle used for injection is extremely small and there is little discomfort. Your urologist can instruct you on how to do the injection. The side effects from this medication are rare but do include flushing, low blood pressure and dizziness. These medications are not given to men with heart disease.

You may prefer to use suppositories that are placed into the opening (urethra) of the penis. Muse^® (alprostadil) is usually effective within 5 to 7 minutes and can last for 60 to 90 minutes. These suppositories are expensive and insurance does not cover them at this time.

Medications that are taken mouth are the most convenient and most popular method for getting erections. Sildenafil citrate (Viagra^®) is the best known, but others are now on the market, such as tadalafil (Cialis^®). These medications may not be as helpful to men with nerve damage from prostate cancer treatment. Side effects may include headache, flushing, irregular heartbeat and a change in vision, like looking through a blue haze.

Vacuum devices are also available to provide erections in men who do not wish to have an implant or are unable to use the medications currently on the market. They use negative pressure to draw blood into your penis and once it is erect, a wide band is placed at the base of the penis to keep your erection. After orgasm has occurred, the band is removed and the penis returns to normal.