Treating Errectile Dysfuction (ED) / Impotence

Prescription Medications
The Male Care Center may recommend prescription medications such as Viagra, Cialis, and Levitra to treat erectile dysfunction.  Chemically known as phosphodiesterase inhibitors, these prescription drugs enhance the effects of nitric oxide, a chemical messenger that relaxes smooth muscles in the penis.  This increases the amount of blood and allows a natural sequence to occur - an erection in response to sexual stimulation.

These prescription medications produce an erection only after physical and psychological stimulation. Many men experience improvement in erectile function after taking these medications.

The Male Care Center will work closely with you to determine the right prescription drug, dosage and duration of effectiveness. Although effective in many men, these medications are not intended for those that have had a history of heart attack, stroke, or life threatening heart rhythm.

Injection Therapy
One injection therapy treatment option involves using a drug called alprostadil (al-PROS-tuh-dil).  Alprostadil is a synthetic version of the hormone prostaglandin E. The hormone relaxes the smooth muscle tissue in the penis, which enhances the blood flow needed for an erection.

Needle-injection therapy uses a fine needle to inject alprostadil into the base or side of your penis. This generally produces an erection in 5 to 20 minutes that lasts about an hour. And because the needle is so fine, the discomfort from the injection is usually minor. 

Rapid Recovery Penile Implants
This treatment involves surgically placing a device into the two sides of the penis, allowing erection to occur as often and for as long as desired. These implants consist of either an inflatable device or semirigid rods made from silicone or polyurethane. This treatment is usually not recommended until other methods have been considered or tried first.