An Overview of Suppositories for Erectile Dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction, or ED, is quite common in male patients living in the Plano, Frisco and Dallas, Texas communities and around the country. In fact, it is reported more than 3 million cases of erectile dysfunction are diagnosed and treated each year in the United States. ED occurs when a man has trouble getting or keeping an erection firm enough for sexual intercourse with his partner. ED becomes more common as men age, but erectile dysfunction and age are not always linked. Patients affected by ED can feel comfortable speaking to Dr. Mark Allen about the condition. Dr. Allen is highly experienced in treating the condition with a number of erectile dysfunction treatment options, including suppositories for erectile dysfunction.
Are Erectile Dysfunction and Age Connected?
After a male reaches 40 years of age, his testosterone naturally begins to decrease by about 3% a year. This anatomical change is inevitable, and does not affect a man’s physique or lifestyle. An even larger loss of testosterone in men, however, will cause undesirable side effects. In some cases, impotence can be one of these side effects.
Even though erectile dysfunction and age are associated, certain men experience ED as an underlying complication of physical factors, chemical factors and psychological factors.
Suppositories for Erectile Dysfunction as Erectile Dysfunction Treatment
Alprostadil is a common medication for erectile dysfunction treatment. While Alprostadil is often administered via an injection, this specific medication also comes in a suppository. When used via a suppository, it works the same way as when it is injected. The suppository version is called MUSE (also referred to as Transurethral therapy) and comes in a small pellet that is the size of about one half of a piece of rice. After urinating, the suppository is inserted into the urethral opening (the small opening at the tip of the penis). The entire length of the suppository should be inserted and within a few minutes, blood flow to the penis will begin so a full erection can be achieved.
This type of medication may have negative side effects for men, including bleeding or spotting from the urethra, stinging or pain from the penis. Most of these side effects are not severe enough to sway a man from using the medication, and they often pass quickly after the medication has been administered. If more severe side effects occur, such as an erection that lasts for more than six hours, curvature of the penis or pain during an erection, it is important to see your doctor at once.
Choosing between Alprostadil through an injection or a suppository is a personal choice that can be made during a consultation with Dr. Allen. There are pros and cons to both the injection and suppository and depending on the mode of delivery, they vary from patient to patient. For example, the injection may be more painful to administer, but it tends to be more effective than the suppository.
It is also important to note the effects of Alprostadil on pregnant women are still unknown. Therefore, if a man is having sexual intercourse with a pregnant woman and is using Alprostadil from either an injection or as a suppository, a condom is recommended.
If you are interested in learning more about erectile dysfunction and age, or erectile dysfunction treatment with the use of suppositories for erectile dysfunction, please schedule a consultation with Dr. Mark Allen, Plano, Frisco and Dallas, Texas urologist.
