Erectile Dysfunction is very common in men as we age. Many conditions lead to changes in the penis that don't allow the penis to get and stay hard enough for satisfactory sexual activity. Diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity all lead to arterial damage that limits blood flow into the penis. Peyronies disease can damage the ability to trap blood in the penis for erection. Neurologic, hormonal, psychiatric conditions and depression can diminish sex drive and desire. Injuries and surgeries can damage the normal signals to the penis that create an erection.
Most options for managing erectile dysfunction are not restorative of normal function but medications, vacuum devices, injections and penile implants all have the goal of achieving an erection for sexual activity and allowing for spontaneity.
Shock wave treatments aim for restoring normal blood flow to the penis, but men who show the greatest success with these treatments usually are in the early stages of erectile dysfunction.
If you are experiencing erectile dysfunction please discuss this with your doctor or medical provider if you are wanting to pursue treatment. Options exist to help you.
Options for Treatment of Erectile Dysfunction
Oral Medication
Vacuum Erection Devices
Vacuum Erection Devices
Oral Medications
Most men begin with a trial of medication that helps to dilate the arteries that create an erection. Viagra (sildenafil) and Cialis (tadalafil) are most commonly used and can be found in generic form. These medications are most often not covered by insurance, but are inexpensive.
Viagra (Sildenafil) - Time 30-90 minutes prior to sexual activity. Product is most effective when taken on an empty stomach
Cialis (Tadalafil) - Time daily at a low dose (2.5-5 mg) or 60-120 minutes prior to sexual activity at a higher dosage (10-20 mg). Taken with or without food
MN Urology offers reduced prices on Tadalafil and Sildenafil. Prices listed below. Our office ships medications directly to your house in discreet packaging.
Sildenafil 20 mg
- 30 tablets - 45 dollars
- 90 tablets - 90 dollars
Sildenafil 100 mg
- 15 tablets - 45 dollars
- 30 tablets - 90 dollars
Tadalafil 5 mg
- 30 tablets - 45 dollars
- 90 tablets - 90 dollars
Tadalafil 20 mg
- 15 tablets - 45 dollars
- 30 tablets - 90 dollars
You can get medication cheaper at some local pharmacies. Goodrx.com is a good website to compare pricing at local pharmacies if prescriptions are not covered by insurance.
Vacuum Erection Devices
Vacuum Erection Devices
Vacuum Erection Devices
Vacuum erection device (VED)
Vacuum devices create an erection by drawing blood into the penis. A cylinder is placed over the penis. After a man creates the erection a restrictive band is placed over the base of the penis to maintain the erection.
Minnesota Urology has devices available for purchase at our front desk at the Cornerstone Woodbury Location.
Timm Medical Osbon Esteem Manual and Automatic (both heads provided) - 350 dollars through MN Urology
Other options for purchasing devices online include:
Encore Deluxe Vacuum Therapy System (both manual and automatic heads provided) - 195 dollars through University Compounding Pharmacy
TimmMedical.com has both the Osbon devices and PosTVac devices available for purchase.
Injectable Medication
Vacuum Erection Devices
Injectable Medication
Penile Self Injections
Self injections by direct injection of medication that dilates the penile arteries to create an erection. A man gives himself an injection each time he wants to create an erection. Brand names through a prescription are
- Caverject (alprostadil)
- Edex (alprostadil)
These medications are potentially covered by insurance. If not covered by insurance, prices can vary between 50-100 dollars per injection. Both companies offer a savings card to help reduce pricing, but you do need to qualify. Find out savings card details on Edex.com or Pfizer.com (search caverject).
Alternatively medication can be "compounded" or made by a specialty pharmacy that combines medications to a predetermined or custom mix. Below are the common combinations
- PGE-1 (Alprostadil)
- Bimix (phentolamine/papaverine)
- Trimix (phentolamine/papaverine/alprostadil)
- Quad-mix (phentolamine/papaverine/alprostadil)
These medications are a recommended option if Edex/Caverject are too expensive due to lack of insurance coverage. They do require refrigeration. They are not covered by insurance.
Below are links to Pharmacies commonly used for infection medication
University Compounding Pharmacy
Cost ranges from 100-200 dollars per vial. You are typically able to get 10-30 injections per vial depending on the amount of the mixture you use with each injection.
Shock Wave Treatment
Shock Wave Treatment
Injectable Medication
Minnesota Urology now offers shock Wave treatments for erectile dysfunction.
Click here for more information about shock wave treatments.
Penile Implant
Shock Wave Treatment
Penile Implant
Penile Implants are a big step in the path to treating erectile dysfunction. It is typically discussed with men who have tried the other options listed here and have found little or no success with other options. Men who take this step are often very happy. Click here to go to my webpage for penile implants.