It might be challenging to get or maintain a sufficiently robust erection when you have erectile dysfunction (ED).
Treatment options for ED include oral drugs, surgery, psychotherapy, lifestyle modifications, and penile injection treatment, sometimes referred to as intracavernosal injection therapy.
In most cases, penile injections can be self-administered at home. By increasing blood flow to the penis, they aid in the treatment of ED by promoting harder erections.
Penile injection therapy is often a successful and well-tolerated treatment for ED, despite the fact that the idea of sticking a needle into your penis may make you shudder. This was discovered in a 2024 review published on Trusted Source.
What is an erectile dysfunction injection?
The medicine for erectile dysfunction injections is taken out of a regular vial using a needle syringe. After that, the syringe is inserted about the middle of the penis to optimize the drug’s effects and avoid interfering with blood vessels or nerves.
An erection is attained five to fifteen minutes after the injection thanks to this medicine, which helps to improve blood flow to the penis. Men with ED can benefit greatly from using Vidalista 60 and Cenforce.
This is one of the ED drugs that acts the fastest overall. To have an erection, even with well-known alternative therapies like Viagra, it might take you thirty to sixty minutes.
How to administer an injection
Your initial injection need to be administered under supervision at your physician’s office. Your doctor will demonstrate to you how to give injections appropriately at home as well as how to do so during the appointment.
Wash your hands and put your things together on a spotless area as the first step. What you’ll need is
- One vial of medicine
- One syringe that is sterile
- Two tissues with alcohol
- One sharps receptacle for spent needles.
Using a container that has been certified as a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Trusted Source is recommended. If one is not available, you can use a robust plastic container, such a cap-less detergent bottle.
Once the drug is in the syringe, slide it out in front of you by gently grabbing the penis’ head between your thumb and fingers. Before grabbing the head, pull back the foreskin if you haven’t had your circumcision.
To administer the injection, mishit, find a spot on the left or right side of the penis. It’s crucial to keep in mind that the injection may only be administered on the shaft’s sides.
By doing this, interference with the urethra’s location at the bottom of the shaft and the blood vessels at its top is prevented.
Every time you inject, switch up the sides to assist prevent the formation of scar tissue. Make sure not to go near any region where a blood vessel is visible.
After deciding on a spot, use an alcohol wipe to clean it. Holding the syringe with both hands, release the penis’ head.
Take off the syringe’s cap to ensure that the dose is accurate and that there are no air bubbles within. As if you were about to hurl a dart, place the syringe between your thumb and your index and middle fingers with one hand.
Once more, extend the penis’ head in front of you with the other hand. Take care to solely grip the head in order to avoid dragging any skin down the shaft.
After positioning the needle against the selected area of skin, slip it into the shaft. The plunger should be pointing up at the 10 or 2 o’clock positions, and the needle should be slightly angled. Make sure your thumb or index finger is in a position to press the plunger.
Press the plunger firmly to release the entire dosage. Pull the needle straight out of the syringe as soon as it is empty. Using your thumb and index finger on opposing sides of the shaft, gently yet firmly push the injection site.
To stop any bleeding or bruises, do this for two or three minutes. To dispose of the syringe, place it in the sharps container.
What to expect
Generally speaking, an injection should be followed by an erection in 5 to 15 minutes. To get an erection, certain people, however, can require sexual foreplay. Depending on your general health and other conditions, the duration of the erection should be between thirty and sixty minutes.
Some claim that having injections interferes with their ability to ejaculate and the sensation in their penis. But rather than the injections themselves, the source of ED might be to blame for these side effects.
Who are penile injections for?
Anyone who experiences difficulties going into an erection, maintaining an erection long enough for penetrative intercourse, or both is a candidate for penile injections.
Penile injections are a very effective treatment for erectile dysfunction that may often work significantly faster than some other options.
However, as the drug may be too powerful for their needs, penile injections are not advised for those with moderate erectile dysfunction. Additionally, they are not advised for those who would find it difficult to administer the injection precisely.
Examples of people who should avoid penile injections include:
anybody with poor finger dexterity, as this might make it difficult to grip the needle or hold the penis firmly enough to inject it.
those who use certain blood thinners anybody uncomfortable using or around needles; someone with substantial penile scarring, which might make finding an appropriate injection site more difficult.
If you have seen inconsistent outcomes from previous ED treatments, penile injections may also be worth investigating.
It’s crucial to discuss your ED symptoms with your doctor in order to determine whether penile injections are good for you, as these injections require a prescription.
Types of injectable medications
The three main types of medications used in penile injection therapy include:
- papaverine
- phentolamine
- prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) or alprostadil (Caverject, Edex, MUSE)
Sometimes, only one medication is administered. But combinations of these medications are also widely used. Combination medications include BiMix, which is papaverine and phentolamine, and TriMix, which contains all three medications. Anyone who finds that TriMix is ineffective may be prescribed QuadMix, which combines Trimix and atropine.
All these medications work by relaxing the smooth muscles and widening the blood vessels in your penis. This increases circulation and leads to an erection.
Why injections are used
Penile injection therapy is considered an established and effective second-line therapy Trusted Source for ED. That means it’s generally prescribed only if first-line therapy — oral ED medications — are ineffective or not well tolerated.
Some people don’t like the side effects of oral ED drugs, which can include:
- congestion
- headache
- upset stomach
- flushing
- back pain
Some people may also prefer injection therapy over other ED treatments, such as having penile implant surgery and the risks and potential side effects with that approach.
How effective are penile injections for treating ED?
Studies have generally demonstrated the high effectiveness of penile injections. As evidenced by a 2012 assessment by Trusted Source, an estimated 89% of participants said they were satisfied with the injections’ outcomes.
The evaluation did, however, also point out a notable participant drop-off or cancellation rate. This tends to suggest that even though the injections were generally effective, many of the individuals decided not to continue taking the drug.
Further research substantiates the efficacy of penile injections. According to a 2024 research by Trusted Source including 105 men, almost 70% of men who had been using penile injectable treatment for more than eight years were happy with the outcomes.
While there is strong evidence for their effectiveness, this medication isn’t guaranteed to work for everyone. If you are not seeing the desired results, talk with your doctor to see if there are other options worth exploring.
Risks and side effects
Injections with ED are not risk-free. There is a small chance of bleeding or bruises at the injection site, just like with every injection. These issues can be prevented if you exercise caution and adhere to your doctor’s advice.
A well-placed needle can help prevent swelling and transient discomfort.
Some users also report mild pain after injecting.
Priapism, which is a persistent erection that happens without or after sexual stimulation, can happen in rare instances.
Try putting an ice pack on your penis to cure priapism. Using a decongestant that contains phenylephrine may also be beneficial. But if the erection lasts more than four hours, get help right once.
See a doctor right away if you have any discomfort or bleeding that continues for more than a few minutes following the injection. Read more..
