Erectile Dysfunction

[Jay_55]

I suffer from ED and at my last checkup with the urologist complained about not being able to maintain an erection during sex. He suggested the penile doppler sonograph which we did today. After injecting my penis with the medication, he returned 10 minutes later to do the sonograph, but I still didn't have an erection. He took his readings, and was very discouraged, and suggested I may have to go the route of a penile implant. I'm devastated by the prospect. But one question I have is once injected, do you automatically get an erection, or do you have to be stimulated? I know with Cialis, without stimulation, there is no erection. Is it the same with the injection? I mean, I still get erections when I sleep, and when I have sex, maintaining them is the issue. I don't want to replace the tissues in my penis with inflatable bladders. Is my problem psychological? I'm not sure where to go next. He has an appointment set up with the surgeon who specializes in implants, but I'm very reluctant. I'm only 53, and don't know where to turn. Should I have done something different at the test other than just lie there? Any guidance is appreciated. BTW, my other medications are Lotrel for HBP, Wellbutrin for Depression and Seroquel for help sleeping, all medications which aren't helpful to maintaining an erection. I feel like I'm between a rock and a (not-so) hard place.

[Piano]

I am not a doctor, but do suffer from ED. It seems to me your uro is being very premature. A penile implant should be an absolute last resort when there is no hope of ever getting erections any other way. From what you say, you are nowhere near that point yet.

If you can get an erection but can't keep it up, have you considered using a constriction ring ("cock-ring")? These are intended to stop blood, once it is in the penis, from flowing out again. You can test the idea just by wrapping one or more rubber bands around the base of your penis once erect.

Another option is a VED, a vacuum pump. You can use it just for exercise, to encourage blood flow into the penis, or together with a constriction ring for sex.

Yet another option is direct penile injections -- similar to what your uro gave you. But they can be rather hit-and-miss. I find that applying constriction to the base of the penis at the time of the injection is a definite improvement. And yes, stimulation does help too -- to spread the drugs around -- but not as important as with Cialis etc.

There is a learning curve with all of these options -- you need to persist with multiple attempts before saying "it doesn't work". Technique can make a big difference.