There are a lot of misconceptions about sexuality after a spinal cord injury (SCI), and a man's ability to have an erection is certainly one of the most common. Absolutely — it's much more difficult for a man to achieve an erection after a spinal cord injury. However, it does not mean however that getting an erection is impossible.
In fact, there are four solid options that allow men to still achieve an erection after an injury. Some are more invasive than others, but most are covered by insurance. Read on for a rundown of each method.
Viagra and More
People often wonder “does Viagra work for paraplegics?” Viagra is one of the easiest interventions and most common oral medications taken by men with a variety of spinal cord injuries to get an erection. However, some men do not see any results and will try Levitra or Cialis instead. Oral medication has proven the least likely to work in quadriplegics, who then use one of the other options I will mention in this article to achieve erections. It also is important to keep in mind that these medications may make you lightheaded since they work by decreasing your blood pressure.
Medicated Injection: Caverjet
If an oral medication doesn't work, many men try the injectable medication Caverjet. Your doctor will instruct you or your significant other on how to use it, but it’s proven to work quite well in men with all levels of spinal cord injuries. After injection, the medication draws blood into the penis within minutes. The effects last for about four hours, so be sure to not drink alcohol while taking Caverjet.
Penis Pump
While it’s an older but effective method, a vacuum constriction device (aka “penis pump”) is an easy alternative for achieving an erection after a spinal cord injury. It works by drawing blood into the penis via a cylindrical device that’s placed over the penis and has an air pump attached to it. When you pump, blood is drawn into the penis and a ring is placed around the base of the penis to keep the erection. Do not use it for longer than 30 minutes, however, to avoid bruising or damage to the skin.
Penis Implant
A penile implant is a more serious intervention, but it’s guaranteed to work nearly every time. You must consult your urologist to find a surgeon experienced in placing a penile implant, but many men with spinal cord injuries use them successfully.
There are two main types: semi-rigid or inflatable cylinders. The first is always firm and can be manipulated to be used or to remain hidden; the latter has cylinders that are implanted into the shaft of the penis. It works by injecting saline into the implant via a hidden opening in the groin. When inflated, most men say it’s nearly similar to a natural erection. Long term, one downside is possible skin breakdown.
Remember, as with all things related to your health, you should talk to your doctor before using any of the above methods. Also, we want to add that a good sex life can still be found as well without an erection, which we will discuss in future articles.
