Treatment Options

Because impotence can sometimes result from a combination of psychological and  physical factors, counseling may help reduce anxiety and overcome the condition.  This therapy is sometimes used in combination with other treatments as directed  by the doctor. 

A small percentage of impotence cases are caused by abnormal levels of sex hormones like testosterone, prolactin, and estrogen. There are medications that can restore this balance.

This treatment involves the use of an external vacuum device and one or more rubber tension bands. The vacuum chamber is placed over the unerect penis, and a pump is used to produce an erection. Once an adequate erection is produced, a rubber tension band is slipped around the base of the penis to restrict the outflow of blood from the penis, thus maintaining the erection. Keeping the band on the penis for more than 30 minutes may cause permanent damage to the tissue of the penis and is not recommended under any circumstance.

Self-injection techniques have been successfully used for over 15 years in tens of thousands of men with erectile dysfunction. Mens Clinic International currently uses a combination of medicines, which combine to work as a low volume, safe and effective treatment. Over 90% of cases respond to this form of therapy. The injection technique has now become extremely simple and convenient thanks to new automatic injector devices. People are often concerned about the loss of spontaneity with having to inject themselves just prior to intercourse. However, by using the automatic injection device it is no more of a detraction from the mood then rolling on a condom. The medication dilates the blood vessels of the penis thereby in
creasing blood flow into the penis and causing an erection. The erection usually develops 5 to 20 minutes after injecting and often remains for a period of time after you have ejaculated. The duration of the erection can be tailored to the desire of the patient by adjusting the proportions and quantities of the various medicines. There are no known side effects on the rest of the body

This treatment involves the insertion of a hollow plastic applicator, which contains a suppository of the drug alprostadil (dose range of 125 mcg to 1,000 mcg), about 1 inch into the urethra of the penis. The alprostadil is then deposited in the urethra and absorbed by the surrounding tissue, called the corpus spongiosum. Alprostadil is known to cause an erection by relaxing the smooth muscle within the penis, and this action allows blood to enter and become trapped in the penis.

Viagra (Sildenafil - Citrate Tablets) Viagra is an oral medication for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. The drug was FDA approved in 1998 and is now available in South Africa. Unlike other remedies, it does not cause an erection unless the man is sexually stimulated; (In our own clinical studies Viagra has been shown to work in less then 50% of our patient cases). Viagra is an erection enhancer in men experiencing weak or absent erections. Viagra is not an aphrodisiac and does not affect the libido or desire in normal men. It will not improve the quality of an erection in men without erectile dysfunction. Further, Viagra is not effective in the treatment of premature ejaculation. In clinical trials, Viagra has demonstrated efficacy in treating erectile dysfunc
tion from psychogenic, organic and mixed causes. It enhances the normal erection process by dilating blood vessels in the penis. Viagra is taken orally and is known as a phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitor. By inhibiting the PDE5 enzyme, which is found mainly in the penis, Viagra allows the chemical produced during sex, cyclic GMP, to persist. The longer cyclic GMP persists, the better chance for the increased blood flow and thereby, an erection. Not everyone can use Viagra. The first step is to establish from your doctor whether your heart is healthy enough for sexual activity. If you take any medicines that contain nitrates- either regularly or as needed - you should never take Viagra. This could lead to death. Nitrates are found in many prescription medicines that are used to treat angina such as nitroglycerine (sprays,ointments,patches or tables) and isosorbide mononitrate and isosorbide dinatrate (tablet). Nitrates can also be found in recreational drugs such as "poppers". Viagra is not for women or children. It is essential to have a full medical examination before taking Viagra and that you tell your doctor if: - You have had any heart problems (e.g. chest pain, heart failure, unregular heart beats, heart attack) You have heart, liver or kidney problems. You have recently had a stroke or heart attack, or if you have low blood pressure. You experience symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, chest pain, shoulder pain or tightness in the chest when starting sexual activity. You have certain rare inherited eye disease (such as retinitis pigmentosa). You have sickle cell anaemia (an abnormality of red blood cells), leukaemia (cancer of the blood cells), multiple myeloma (cancer of the bone marrow) or any disease or deformity of your penis. These conditions may require special care when taking medicines for erectile dysfunction. You have a stomach ulcer, or a bleeding disorder (such as haemophilia). Known side affects: Viagra can cause serious cardiovascular events, including myocardial infarction (heart attack), sudden cardiac death, ventricular arrhythmia (abnormal heart beats), and cerebrovascular hemorrhage (bleeding in the brain), transient ischemic attack (mini stroke) and hypertension Remember that you must tell your doctor about any medicines that you are taking. Do not start or stop taking medicines before checking with your doctor or phamacist. Information regarding dosage and administration will be given to you by your doctor. Uprima Uprima (Apomorphine) is the most recent approved drug on the South African market designed to help men overcome erectile dysfunction. Despite its similarities to Viagra, Uprima is the first clinically tested and medically approved oral treatment, which works by activating chemicals in the brain. Uprima tablets are dissolved under the tongue, which triggers the chemical dopamine, starting the signal for an erection. Following sexual stimulation, Uprima increases the levels of nitric oxide in the body dilating blood vessels and encouraging more blood to flow to the penis. It also helps transmit electrical impulses from the brain through the spinal cord, which in turn improves blood flow to the penis. As the penis muscle relaxes, the pelvic arteries widen, filling with blood and making the penis erect. With Uprima (as with Viagra) you must be sexually aroused to get an erection. It is not an aphrodisiac. It's a prescription medication that can improve erectile function in most men with erection problems. Uprima is only for patients with ED. Uprima is not prescribed for women or children. Do not let anyone else take your Uprima. Uprima must be used only on prescription. Before you start any treatment with Uprima, be sure to ask your doctor if your heart is healthy enough. Those who suffer from acute angina, recent myocardial infarction, severe heart failure, or any other condition where sexual activity is not recommended, should not take Uprima. Uprima should be used with caution in patients suffering from severely impaired renal or hepatic functions. Uprima should not be taken in conjunction with other centrally-active dopamine agonists or antagonists due to the possibility of pharmacodynamic interactions. It should also be taken with caution by patients taking hypertensives or nitrate medications. Nitrates are found in many prescription medicines that are used to treat angina (chest pain due to heart disease) such as: Nitroglycerin (sprays, ointments, skin patches or pastes, and tablets that are swallowed in the mouth) Isosorbide mononitrate and isosorbide dinitrate (tablets that are swallowed, chewed or dissolved in the mouth) Nitrates are found in recreational drugs such as amyl nitrate or nitrate ("poppers"). If you are not sure if any of your medications contain nitrates, or if you do not understand what nitrates are, ask your doctor. If you suffer from any of these conditions, it is recommended that you talk to your doctor before taking Uprima. It is not recommended that patients take Uprima in conjunction with other ED treatments. The side effects from taking Uprima are very similar to those of Viagra. The most commonly found ones are headache, dizziness and nausea - with dizziness occurring in approximately 4% of patients, and nausea and headache occurring in approximately 7% of patients. Nausea is usually mild to moderate, and tends to dissipate with prolonged use of the drug. Other adverse side effects include: infection; pain; flushing; taste disorder; sweating; yawning; rhinitus; pharyngitis, somnolence, increased cough. However, such side effects tend to be mild and short-lived.

This treatment involves the surgical placement of a stationary or movable device into the two sides of the penis, allowing erections as often as desired. These implants come in three forms: self-contained inflatable, self-contained mechanical, and semirigid rods. This treatment is not recommended until other treatments have been tried first. As you can see there are a number of options available for the treatment of impotence. Always make the decision with proper medical help. Mens Clinic International, staffed by medical doctors specialising in the treatment of impotence, offers a range of treatments and counseling where appropriate. Privacy and discretion are paramount and patients are made to feel entirely at ease. A full individual assessment is performed and a full clinical diagnosis made before a course of treatment is decided upon. The important thing to remember is that help is available for men with impotence. Confidential, professional and unbiased advice is readily available at any of the clinics of Mens Clinic International, to help you overcome your problem. Phone or E-mail Mens Clinic International from our contact page.

Surgery is mainly reserved for patients with blood-flow problems caused by injuries to the pelvic area. It is also used to correct erectile dysfunction caused by vascular blockages.

This treatment involves the surgical placement of a stationary or movable device into the two sides of the penis, allowing erections as often as desired. These implants come in three forms: self-contained inflatable, self-contained mechanical, and semirigid rods. This treatment is not recommended until other treatments have been tried first. As you can see there are a number of options available for the treatment of impotence. Always make the decision with proper medical help. Mens Clinic International, staffed by medical doctors specialising in the treatment of impotence, offers a range of treatments and counseling where appropriate. Privacy and discretion are paramount and patients are made to feel entirely at ease. A full individual assessment is performed and a full clinical diagnosis made before a course of treatment is decided upon. The important thing to remember is that help is available for men with impotence. Confidential, professional and unbiased advice is readily available at any of the clinics of Mens Clinic International, to help you overcome your problem. Phone or E-mail Mens Clinic International from our contact page.