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Penile injections are one way to achieve normal erections after impotence resulting from prostate cancer treatments. They can be an alternative for the 30-40% of men who commonly fail with Viagra. The process is easy, painless, effective, and can be done in the privacy of one’s own home.
Ten to twenty minutes prior to sexual
activity inject a vasodilator,
(a drug that widens blood vessels), into the shaft of
the penis using a small syringe with a very fine needle.
Once the vasodilator is fully injected blood vessels
open and the smooth muscles of the penis relax, which
allows blood to flow in building an erection that will
last 30 minutes to 2 hours.
Manufactured by Pharmacia-Upjohn, Caverject or alprostadil is the trade name for an injectable solution that is currently being sold. Other variants of Caverject exist including Edex, a similar product from Schwarz-Pharma. Caverject makes a portable shot kit that does not require refrigeration until the ingredients are mixed. Using the large needle supplied with the kit, mix the powder and liquid, and then use the small needle for the injection.
Patients should consult their physician
if they have heart disease to find out if vasodilators
are safe. If patients are squeamish, have poor eyesight,
poor coordination this technique may not be the right
one for them and should seek other options. Taking the
proper dose is important; if the dose is too potent
patients may experience prolonged erections that could
become dangerous. Reported side effects include very
small blood clots, burning pain after the injection,
damage to the urethra, and fibrous tissue buildup in
the corpora
cavernosa. Take sanitary precautions to avoid possible
infections.
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