WHAT TO DO WHEN IT WON’T WORK: INJECTION THERAPY
Injection therapy revolutionised the treatment of impotence. For many it provided spectacular results. Men who had been struggling with erectile difficulties and the complex emotional issues that accompany such problems were thrilled to find that one needle could make them potent instantly. The first time they experienced the effects of an injection, the result seemed miraculous.
Self-Injection Therapy (SIT) could be used successfully by 90 per cent of men. Excluded were those who did not have sufficient manual dexterity to use it or could not use it on medical grounds.
When first introduced, SIT had few rivals in the market. It received tremendous publicity, and clinics offering the therapy mushroomed. These clinics advertised on radio, on television and in newspapers. They even ran hotlines to recruit patients.
Candidates for this treatment had to be taught to inject themselves directly into the shaft of the penis. This involved learning techniques such as how to fill and manage a syringe, and where and at what angle to inject. Sight-impaired or poorly coordinated men who had partners were able to arrange for them to be taught the procedure instead.
Many men were turned off. They found the idea of injecting in such a sensitive place excruciating. Furthermore, they could not cope with the lack of spontaneity associated with having to inject themselves before intercourse.
But those who were motivated and complied with the instructions reported that SIT worked very well. It still does.
The main drug used in SIT causes the smooth penile muscle tissue to relax, creating wide spaces inside the penis that can fill to capacity with blood. The rapidity with which this happens depends on the man’s circulation. Some develop an erection in minutes while others have to wait 20 minutes.
The injections are not especially painful because the interior of the penis consists of spongy tissue that easily accepts a needle. However, about a third of men experience ‘a bit of an ache’. This is rarely severe and usually settles down after three or four treatments. It occurs because their penises are no longer accustomed to being extended.
Other possible adverse effects that might be experienced include bruising, fainting and scarring. If the man’s injecting technique is poor, he is careless or he injects too frequently, he may develop little nodules on his penis.
SIT is tailored for individuals. Ideally it will produce an erection that lasts for 20 or 30 minutes and begins to disappear slowly after ejaculation.
The major concern associated with SIT is that it will cause an erection that won’t go down. This can lead to priapism, a prolonged and painful erection that can, if untreated, result in the penis being damaged internally.
Although priapism is a rare side effect when SIT is used appropriately, all men who use this therapy must know what to do in the event of an episode of priapism. There are pills they can take, but if the pills fail, they must know where they can go for treatment.
Numerous men who do not have a genuine problem but think they do seek injections. Younger men seek them in response to premature ejaculation while older men want them because they no longer ejaculate like a cannon. Correctly used, injections can be wonderful. When tailored for personal use and correctly administered, they can bring much happiness. But when used recklessly and without proper instruction, they can cause priapism, which can bring long-term misery and, in the worst instances, permanent impotence. The procedure for treating priapism can be painful and prolonged, and is not something any man in his right mind would risk.
Men are generally advised that SIT can be used three times a week. Ideally there should be at least 24 hours between doses. However, there are no data that indicate that more frequent use is harmful.
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