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This information has been reprinted courtesy
of the Erectile Dysfunction Information Center (www.erectile-dysfunction-treatment.org)
for personal use only.
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When a man has erectile dysfunction (ED), he cannot
achieve or maintain a firm erection. ED also is called "impotence." About
one in every ten men has ED or some degree of impotence.
Most ED has a physical cause. The treatment of diseases
such as diabetes or prostate cancer, physical injury, and the side
effects of drugs can reduce or prevent blood flow and nerve impulses
to the penis. Only about 10% of impotence has a psychological cause.
Use of urethral suppositories is one of several proven treatment
options for ED. The therapy treats impotence by delivering medication directly
to the
penis to stimulate blood flow. The medication is in the form of a small suppository.
The most common urethral suppositories are known
as MUSE®,
which stands for "medicated urethral system for erection."
The drug in MUSE is alprostadil. The drug is identical
to a substance that occurs naturally in the penis and aids in achieving
an erection. Directly inserted into the penis, the urethral suppositories
are absorbed by the tissue and relax muscles in the penis. This
allows blood flow to increase, creating an erection.
Physicians will commonly have a patient try a suppository
in the office to determine appropriate dosage. Before using urethral
suppositories, the man urinates. This helps to insure the moist
surfaces that help the medication to be absorbed.
With a small applicator, the man inserts a pellet of medication into his urethra, the small hole on the tip of the penis.
He then massages his penis for about a minute to help the pellet dissolve. To help speed absorption, he should also remain upright for several minutes. He may also place a small rubber band around the base of his penis before inserting the suppository. This can help hold the medication in his penis.
A man generally will get an erection within 10-15
minutes of application. The erection will last about 30-60 minutes.
Urethral suppositories can be used twice in any 24-hour period.
They should not be used a second time immediately following a
first
erection.
Urethral suppositories are available only with a doctor's prescription.
MUrethral suppositories can be an alternative for the 30-40%
of men who commonly fail with ViagraŽ. The best treatment for erectile
dysfunction, however, depends on many things. These include a man's health
and personal and physical tolerance for the treatment. Work with your doctor
(usually
a
urologist specializing in the treatment of ED) and your partner to determine
the best treatment.
- Men with an allergic reaction to alprostadil.
- Men with an abnormally formed penis.
MUSE works for only about 30% of men who try it.
Sometimes MUSE provides only a partial erection. Some men will then use penile injection or a vacuum erection device to attain a complete erection.
The problem with this is that the procedure can be cumbersome and expensive. The delay in getting an erection tends to reduce romantic spontaneity.
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- No needles.
- Less invasive than injection therapy.
- Some side effects are possible. A throbbing penis, irritation,
or a burning sensation is the most common complaint. Light-headedness,
dizziness, fainting, and rapid pulse have also been reported.
- Clinical studies have shown that urethral suppositories are
substantially less effective than ViagraŽ.
- Urethral suppositories may interfere with romantic spontaneity
because the man must treat himself just prior to sex, and then
wait for
an
erection.
- Some female partners have reported vaginal itching and burning.
- The drug can fail, causing added stress and anxiety.
- Each dose costs about $17-25.
MUSE® is a registered trademark of VIVUS, Inc.
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 Erectile
dysfunction is treatable. Now that you have researched this website
for the causes of ED and its treatments, take the next step. Contact
a urologist who specializes in treating impotence. The doctor will
be able to diagnose your erectile dysfunction and discuss treatment
options with you and your spouse or partner.
Click this link for more information about other erectile
dysfunction treatments. By finding effective treatment, hundreds
of thousands of men have discovered they do not have to live with
ED. Now it is your turn to find the treatment that can help restore
your sex life.
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This page revised March 2005
Copyright 2005 Erectile
Dysfunction
Information Center. All
rights reserved. This site contains information
about erectile
dysfunction
(impotence)
for men with ED
and their partners.
Nothing in this site may be reproduced without written authorization
from the Erectile Dysfunction Information Center.
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How
urethral suppositories work
How
to use urethral suppositories