Men who experience erectile dysfunction as a result of clogged arteries leading to the penis may soon have another option for treatment beyond the oral and urethral medications available which do not work for every man. Medtronic Inc, the pharmaceutical company responsible for this new treatment usually use it to treat patients with heart disease however they have carried out a study that explored the use of their drug coated stent in erectile dysfunction patients.

30 men participated in the study and each of them had a stent implanted. The men were an average age of 60 years and had erectile dysfunction due to narrow arteries in the pelvis. 3 months after the stent had been implanted men noticed a 68% improvement. For men who do not benefit from the conventional therapies out there, the stent could be a realistic option. The stent basically props open arteries to allow blood flow so this is an invasive treatment that requires more safety and efficacy evaluations before it is taken to the market.

The pharmaceutical company will be carrying out a second study, Impasse, and this will involve 350 men. Given the invasive nature of the treatment, it will be very much a last resort.

A study published in the American Journal of Sociology has reported that men who experience erectile dysfunction actually blame their wives for the condition and suggest that suffering the condition is directly related to their wives becoming friends with their own friends. The sociologists at Cornell University who publish the report call this situation ‘partner betweenness’. This term is given to the experience of a man whose partner has greater contact to some of his closest friends than he does.

The researchers say that erectile dysfunction occurs when the male’s female partner comes between him and his friends. When their female partner is close to the same males as he is, this intimidates the male and according to the research, men who experience ‘partner betweenness’ are 92% more likely to have trouble achieving an erection or reaching orgasm.

Supposedly, central to traditional notions surrounding masculinity are feelings of independence and privacy and when these feelings are disturbed, sexual problems with their partners ensue.

The study’s participants were all aged between 57 and 85 years and although the risk of this condition increases with age, and is related to cardiovascular conditions and diabetes, ‘partner betweenness’ affected even the healthy men among the participants. They were at an increased risk of experiencing problems if their partners were closer to their shared friends than he was.

The statistics show that at least 25% of men experience this problem within at least one of their close relationships but the effects of this situation tend to lessen as the male gets older.

Apricus Biosciences is finally ready to market their erectile dysfunction treatment, Vitaros this November in Canada. They hope that the drug will be available in Europe by the end of 2012 if it is approved by the regulators here.

This drug will be the first topical treatment for erectile dysfunction that is sold on prescription and requires less time to get to work than current treatments available. A drop is placed at the tip of the penis and produces results within 6 minutes. The active ingredient in Vitaros is Alprostadil, an ingredient that is usually injected into the penis or administered as a suppository into the urethra. As one can imagine, this topical version of the ingredient will be a more attractive alternative.

Additionally, since the topical treatment is non-systemic and gets to work on the isolated area of the penis, there are little or no side effects experienced such as those that are associated with the taking of PDE5 inhibitors like Viagra, Cialis and Levitra.

The pharmaceutical company ran into trouble with this drug in 2009 having run out of cash but over the last year and a half they have been working hard to get themselves back on track and Vitaros is not their only market hopeful.

Phase III trials for Femprox, a treatment for female sexual dysfunction, revealed a 44% higher arousal rate in women compared to those who had been given a placebo. With such interest in the area of female sexual dysfunction (especially hypoactive sexual desire disorder), the company looks set to enjoy a wealth of success over the coming years if it can get its products through the regulators.

According to the results of a recent study carried out in Luzhou Medical College, China, researchers have established a connection between periodontitis (inflammation/ infection of the gums) and erectile dysfunction (ED). However, many doctors and dentists believe that the evidence is a little exaggerated. The study is published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine.

The study revealed a correlation between the gum condition and sexual function in male rats. An older study revealed that the gum condition is more common in men who have erectile dysfunction.

Those at the medical school believe that treating periodontitis could improve a patient’s sexual health but others suggest that the gum infection indicated problems with one’s general health and that it is the poor overall health that might increase one’s chances of suffering from erectile dysfunction.

The gum condition has before been linked with heart disease and as we know heart disease is associated with ED but many think it unreasonable to suggest a direct link between gum health and the penis.

The bodies of the rats with periodontitis experienced inflammation and at high levels this can be dangerous for one’s general health. Rats also had less of an enzyme called eNOS which plays a role in biological signalling that will cause an erection to form. The research suggests that the inflammation might have decreased the amount of this enzyme and therefore inhibited the formation of an erection.

Our guess is that people with periodontics are less healthy, therefore more prone to systemic health issues, of which erectile dysfunction can be a marker.

According to a recent study carried out in the States, more young men than ever are taking treatment for erectile dysfunction (ED) and there is a strong relationship between drinking and smoking and suffering from the condition.

The research was carried out at the Children’s Memorial Hospital, Chicago and revealed that almost 13% of college-aged young men experienced ED on occasion. Among those who drank regularly, the percentage increased.

95% of the men were heterosexual and two thirds of them were white. 13% of the men reported problems with getting or maintaining an erection at some point in their lives and 25% of them reported losing their erections while putting on a condom.

More young men are turning to treatments like Viagra, Cialis and Levitra- 6% of the participants had taken one of these three PDE5 inhibitors at some stage to treat ED. When surveyed the young men admitted that they thought their problems might be associated with alcohol and recreational drug abuse.

The researchers suggest that young men who suffer the condition should seek counselling as the stress of this condition can lead to psychological problems down the line even if there is a medical cause for the condition. Dealing with ED is a much more traumatic experience for young men considering that approximately 50% of men who are over the age of 40 years suffer with ED; the condition is more commonplace among the older generations.

The results of this study accord with our own clinical experience. We are seeing more and more young men present with erectile dysfunction than ever before. Given that drugs such as Viagra and Cialis are relatively new, it may be the incidence of erectile dysfunction in young men is the same as it has always been but more people are coming forward in the knowledge that treatments are available.

13 million Mexican men suffer from erectile dysfunction (ED). One in every two men over 40 years of age experiences some level of ED. A spokesperson for the Boston Medical Group shares some insights as why they think this is the case and reminds us that ED is a serious condition that possibly suggests underlying health conditions associated with the health of the heart.

The usual reasons such as the stresses of everyday life and an unhealthy diet all contribute to the the condition and this is why more young men are becoming increasingly affected by Erectile Dysfunction. A large portion of men, one in every three, between the ages of 20 and 50 also suffer from premature ejaculation (PE).The spokesperson for the Boston medical Group suggests that the reasons for this are often grounded in culture and are often psychological at the root. It is thought that the experience of Premature Ejaculation here is often due to a lack of good sex education and their religious background that often characterises sex as sinful.

Another reason that Mexicans suffer with ED is that there are 10 million diabetics in the country and also among the male population, there are many who are overweight or obese - all contributing factors to the chronic condition of Erectile Dysfunction.

According to a recent study published in Clinical Cardiology, CRT (cardiac resynchronisation therapy), improves libido and improves sexual performance in men who have experienced heart failure. After chronic heart failure, many men find that they lose their libido and experience ED. This therapy, which comes in the form of a pacemaker is said to improve these symptoms and rejuvenate the sex life of sufferers as well as increase survival rates among heart failure patients.

The study showed that out of 31 men, 25 experienced an improvement and 23 men were able to report that they had no experience of ED after the therapy.

Research published in The Journal of Sexual Medicine has shown that asthma could be a cause of ED (erectile dysfunction) and the risk has been shown to increase the more severe the asthma is.

Information on 3,466 men who had just been diagnosed with asthma and who were between the ages of 18 and 55 was gathered between 2000 and 2007. The incidences of erectile dysfunction were recorded approximately four and a half years later and the data were compared to the information collected on 13,836 men without asthma: the control group.

114 men experienced ED and among this group were 34 patients (0.98%) who suffered from asthma and 80 (0.58%) from the control group. This indicates a 1.9 times higher incidence in ED cases with men who had asthma and the risk of experiencing this condition increased with the number of asthma related visits the patient made to their clinic.

There is not enough research to be certain that asthma treatment has anything to do with the progression of the condition of erectile dysfunction but the study is on-going. Erectile dysfunction has many causes but treatments will work for most. It is recommended that oral treatments like the three main PDE5 inhibitors, Viagra, Cialis and Levitra should be tried before more invasive solutions are employed.

The latest in erectile dysfunction products comes in the form of a condom that helps men to maintain an erection. The condoms contain a gel composed of lubricant and a vasodilator which is absorbed into the skin and helps to maintain an erection by enhancing blood flow.

The challenge with creating such a product was making a gel that did not ruin the quality of the condom but approval looks imminent. The condom is not marketed as an erectile dysfunction treatment but rather it is a device for men who have a problem maintaining an erection while wearing a condom.

Chances for European approval look high since it will also encourage men to use barrier contraception. The product might also serve to once again promote the products of Durex, a company that has experienced a waning in their sales of late.

An American medical group is under scrutiny at the moment as they are accused of manipulating eager erectile dysfunction (ED) sufferers into parting with large sums of money while they are in a state of arousal. Furthermore, the company has been sued over not discussing the risk of potentially serious side effects with their patients.

Their advertisements suggest they can provide a permanent solution to the problem of impotence in just one visit. It is only at this visit that the men are told they will have their penis injected, which then gives them an instant erection. It is at this point that the salesmen offer their pitch and sell the aroused patients a 6 months’ supply of treatment said to cure their impotence permanently for a sum of $1,500.

Men have reported cases of priapism subsequent to such injections, which is known to cause permanent impotence. In one case, a man was advised to continue with his injections over the phone despite reporting priapism. The man waited 36 hours before seeking help and has had to undergo corrective surgery on his penis.

The company is also accused of overcharging for its service and not discussing the possibility of side effects with patients and instead discuss the dangers of erectile dysfunction pills and other options for the treatment of ED in order to deter patients from trying another treatment.

This type of injected treatment is supposed to be a last resort for those who have not found success with PDE5 inhibitors however some patients have reported that they had never tried another method of treatment prior to their visit to the clinic. Finally, specialists who have treated patients of the clinic after their injections said that there were many cases where men were given injections that they did not need. The group has already been involved in a number of lawsuits and despite a recent pay-out that had threatened to make the company bankrupt, they are still enticing customers.

Viagra, Cialis and Levitra are approved ED treatments and come in the form of tablets. These are the best options for many men who suffer from ED and should be explored as options for treatment before invasive procedures such as injections and implants are suggested. For men who have not responded to the usual oral medications, we normally recommend a medicated urethral suppository called MUSE but this is never the first line of treatment.

Researchers from the University of Guelph, Ontario have published a review in Food Research International and reveal that saffron and ginseng come out on top when it comes to aphrodisiacs, with chocolate at the bottom of the pile. They warn against the traditional aphrodisiac Spanish Fly which is made from blister beetles and used in traditional Chinese and African culture.

At the review’s outset, the research team did not believe in the supposed power of the aphrodisiac however, it was revealed that certain substances do work although all of the tests were done on animals so there is no direct evidence that the substances tested would have any beneficial impact on the libido of humans.

The review also strays onto the rise in Viagra and Cialis prescriptions for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED), without any indication that the author has any qualifications to opine on matters medical. The review suggests that the side effects of such ED drugs are too dangerous and outweigh the benefits. It is also stated that the drugs are potentially harmful if taken in conjunction with other prescription medications. The review’s author hopes that present ED treatments will be replaced by these natural remedies – what a load of misleading and dangerous nonsense!

Erectile dysfunction does not occur due to a lack of desire or a low libido. ED is a medical condition, which is sometimes the symptom of a more serious cardiovascular illness. There are physiological reasons for the lack of blood flow to the penis which no saffron or ginseng can remedy.

As for comments made about the danger of taking ED treatment with other medication, there is no basis for this concern. PDE5 inhibitors such as Viagra, Cialis and Levitra, can only be purchased with a prescription and after a medical consultation. If patients are taking conflicting medications, they will not be prescribed these ED treatments and other options will be explored. The author should stick to his area of expertise – food and nutrition.

Vivus announced that it has completed its phase III human studies for its erectile dysfunction treatment, Avanafil. An application for a marketing authorization in the US and the EU will be made shortly.

Avanafil is faster acting than Viagra or Cialis and thereby allows for greater spontaneity. However, with Pfizer’s patent for Viagra set to run out next year, competition in this area of the market is set to get fierce so Avanafil may struggle. When Vivus launched MUSE, at the time a breakthrough drug inserted into the urethra to combat erectile dysfunction, Viagra was born one year later and MUSE paled into insignificance.

With Qnexa, Vivus’s diet pill, still failing to impress the FDA (Food and Drug Administration), Avanafil’s success must be key to the future of Vivus.

Regular use of painkillers has been reported to be potentially linked to erectile dysfunction (ED). Middle-aged men often take more painkillers and NSAIDS, such as Ibuprofen, in order to seek relief from the inevitable aches and pains that come with getting older but unfortunately thus contributing to another age related condition, ED. The study published in The Journal of Urology showed that aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen were commonly used by older men and the majority of ED sufferers are found to being among the older generations too. Often older men take aspirin every day to decrease the risk they have of heart attacks and strokes and the study’s authors are definitely not advocating that they stop.

The study showed that 1 in 3 men in their forties stated that they used NSAIDS regularly and of that group, 13% of them reported ED. More than half of those participating in the over fifties group reported the regular use of these tablets and 42 per cent of them reported problems with ED. Other contributing factors were taken into consideration like diabetes, smoking and the effects of age but there were still unexplained cases where an underlying cause could not be ascertained. The evidence is not strong enough to suggest that the use of such medication has a definite impact on ED but further research will be carried out. Our view is that the evidence presented is extremely weak and if there is a link then it does not appear to be a strong one.

California based pharmaceutical development company, Vivus, will have a busy month this January as they hope make progress with the FDA on their two leading drug candidates. Avanafil, a PDE5 inhibitor used in men suffering erectile dysfunction wows with 80% of men taking it achieving erections and two thirds able to have intercourse. In addition, it only takes 15 minutes for the drug to take effect unlike the other PDE5 inhibitors which can take up to an hour.

The approval of their promising weight loss drug, Qnexa, will also be discussed with US regulators this month. Recent trials have proved successful despite the FDA requiring more information. Vivus has submitted more detail on the associations between Qnexa and side effects such as birth defects and cardiovascular risk. Vivus is not a done deal yet but the company appears confident that they will get the green light in August without a pre-authorization cardiovascular risk study.

Long term trials for Avanafil have revealed great potential for the medication. The results released last week reveal that the treatment will work on a majority of its users and due to the speed with which it is metabolized it can be used twice a day without risk.

It was announced yesterday that late stage studies went well for Vivus’ hopeful erectile dysfunction treatment, Avanafil. The new drug application will be ready for completion by early 2011.

The results were promising. Out of those who attempted sexual intercourse 15 minutes after they took the drug, there was an 80% penetration success rate. 67% taking Avanafil had successful intercourse to completion without losing their erection.

No serious side effects were reported, only minor complaints such as headache, flushing and nasal congestion as with other Erectile Dysfunction treatments, such as Viagra and Cialis. There was only a 2.8% rate of discontinuation by patients.

The application will be filed to the FDA in the first half of 2011 and yet another oral PDE5 inhibitor might be added to the list of successful treatments available for Erectile Dysfunction. Avanafil’s advantage is in that works so fast, within 15 minutes or less. It is thought that Avanafil is more selective than other treatments thus decreasing the risk of side effects.

Canadian sufferers of erectile dysfunction will soon have another option for treating their condition in the form of a gel called Vitaros. This topical gel has produced some impressive results and Health Canada has approved it for general use on prescription.

Vitaros’ manufacturer, Apricus Biosciences, will endeavour to bring the topical treatment to over 100 other countries. The gel will be officially available in Canada next year. For those who do not like to take oral medication, the gel is a successful replacement. What is more impressive is that unlike the oral medications such as Viagra, Cialis and Levitra, which take on average a half an hour to get to work, Vitaros gets to work within minutes.

Often men are contraindicated for Viagra, Cialis or Levitra as a result of underlying cardiovascular problems or medications that they are taking. It might be some time before Vitaro wins approval in the US or Europe but as it contains alprostadil (which is already licensed in injectable and urethral suppository form) it should not encounter too many problems so long as it is effective as a gel.

Vivus, the biopharmaceutical company behind investigational drugs Qnexa and Avanafil, has just reported its financial results for the first nine months of 2010. Within those results there is a clear indication that the company has not in any way been floored by the recent decision by the FDA not to approve Qnexa, its investigational weight loss drug that contains low dose phentermine and topiramate, both of which are licensed separately in the US. Vivus says that it will answer the FDA’s questions within 6 weeks. It has already released the extended clinical data requested by the FDA that demonstrates the safety and efficacy of Qnexa over 108 weeks, with patients achieving and maintaining a weight loss of at least 10% of body weight over the period – far in excess of the 2.5% achieved by trial subjects on the placebo.

The FDA’s concerns relating to Qnexa surround the increased heart rate identified in some cases during the trial period. The main concern that needs to be addressed is that the increase in heart rate does not affect overall cardiovascular risk. The FDA is also concerned about potential birth defects caused by the Topiramate element, which has an established risk in this area, albeit at a much higher dose than in Qnexa. 13 women gave birth during the Qnexa clinical trials and none of the babies suffered birth defects. We would expect pregnancy to be included as a contraindication with this drug, just to be on the safe side. There is a possibility that Qnexa will be approved as a controlled drug and will therefore not be available online through legitimate channels.

Vivus has now indicated that it will be applying for a license for Qnexa in the EU before the end of 2010 – this is real news for most of our readers as it is the first time that it has been mentioned explicitly by the company.

Vivus has also stated that it is pushing to complete phase III trials of Avanafil, its investigational medication for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. Avanfil is very similar to established drugs in this area such as Viagra and Cialis but it has a much faster onset time. Patients taking Avanafil were able to achieve erections sufficient for penetration within 15 minutes of oral administration. Given that the medication is very similar to other licensed medications and no major new side effects have been reported, we would expect Avanafil to get a license.

Studies presented at the Pfizer Urology and Diabetes Symposium in Abu Dhabi highlighted the link between diabetes and erectile dysfunction. It was stated that 50% of diabetic men are likely to suffer from ED within 10 years of diagnosis. ED is a symptom of other health conditions such as cardiovascular disease.

Erectile Dysfunction can be the first indication of type 2 diabetes. Men who have diabetes are 3 times more likely to have ED than men without it. Erectile Dysfunction can serve as a five year warning of heart attack. Many men are not aware that their erectile dysfunction can be symptomatic of cardiovascular disease. As we reported last week, the penile artery measures 1-2 mm in thickness, whereas the coronary artery measures 4mm. If the penile artery is blocked, preventing an erection from forming, it can signify problems with the coronary artery that will only become evident later on.

Other discoveries were affirmed at the symposium including the articulation of a direct correlation between self-esteem and the firmness of an erection. Another highlight of the symposium was the release of a regional study which described a standardized scale for measuring the hardness of an erection. It has been shown that men who experience the hardest erections have improved self-esteem and confidence. They are generally happier with their sex lives and their relationships. Physicians can play a huge part in changing the sex lives of their patients and they can do this while ruling out any future health risks indicated by erectile dysfunction.

A hospital in Wales has pioneered a potentially transformative piece of surgery to resolve erectile dysfunction. The surgery involves inserting a stent into the penile artery, much the same way as surgeons now do to resolve coronary artery blockages.

This type of surgery will always be the last resort for most erectile dysfunction patients as there are medications that normally resolve the issue but around 25 -30% of patients do not respond to drugs like Viagra so an alternative is necessary for the rehabilitation of their sex lives.

One little known but important fact about erectile dysfunction is that it can be a marker for cardiovascular disease. The penile artery is only 1 -2 mm thick as opposed to the coronary artery, which is around 4 mm thick. Vascular disease affects the whole body so it is likely that the penile artery will block before the coronary artery so erectile dysfunction will normally be an early warning signal and it needs to be checked out. We always make this point when prescribing medications for erectile dysfunction and it is essential that a patient’s GP is kept informed so that tests can be carried out and medications prescribed to prevent cardiovascular events.

The pioneering new procedure may become in demand on the NHS but was cannot see many hospitals giving it priority when there are some many other demands on the resources of our publicly funded health service.

The latest in erectile dysfunction news presents a wafer that melts on the tongue and said to get to work faster than Viagra. Unlike the other PDE-5 inhibitors that can take anything from 30 minutes to a couple of hours to fully take effect, the wafer gets to work quickly with a majority of men in trials responding within 30 minutes of consumption. Intelgex, a Canadian firm are set to carry out trials on a larger scale and hope to have the wafer ready for the market in 3 years.

This treatment may allow for an element of spontaneity that had otherwise disappeared in the sex lives of erectile dysfunction sufferers. It contains the same active ingredients as the other impotence treatments but the molecules are smaller. The wafer releases similar amounts of the ingredient into the bloodstream and is accessed via the many blood vessels of the mouth.

Trials have shown that the wafer works even better than Viagra, 30% faster as it happens. Furthermore, the same type of technology may be appropriate for the treatment of pain relief, high blood pressure or depression in the future.

One of the most frequent questions that we get asked is, which erectile dysfunction medication is the best? Viagra (sildenafil), Cialis (tadalafil) and Levitra (vardenafil ) are the three oral treatments for erectile dysfunction. Sometimes men are confused by which one to choose.  Each one has a similar rate of effectiveness but some work better than others on an individual basis.

Each of these PDE-5 inhibitors relaxes the arteries of the penis allowing the blood flow to create an erection. The function of these drugs is to keep high levels of cGMP in the penis. This is a substance that is produced naturally in the tissue and aids vascular muscular relaxation. PDE-5 inhibitors block PDE-5 which neutralizes the cGMP so that an erection cannot occur. These treatments block or inhibit the PDE-5 in order that the cGMP stays in the penis, allowing for a maintained erection. All three of the approved drugs carry out the same function but have different effects.

Viagra can be purchased in 25mg, 50mg or 100mg dosages. The usual starting dose is 50mg. It should be taken 1 hour before sexual activity and can take anything from 30 minutes to 1 hour to kick in. The effects usually last for approximately 4 hours. Viagra was the first drug approved for erectile dysfunction and it is one of the best known brands in the world so it is a popular choice for many men.

Cialis is available in 10mg and 20mg dosages and the recommended starting dose is 10mg. Cialis is also available in a one a day format but this is quite an expensive way of taking the medication for most people. The half-life of Cialis is much longer than the other two medications. The effects can last from 17 to 36 hours. This does not mean that an erection will last this long but the drug will still be effective upon being stimulated sexually. If one is to experience side effects, then these side effects may last for a long period as well however so this needs to be borne in mind.

Side effects from all three PDE5 inhibitors are similar and can include headaches, facial flushing, back pain and indigestion. Some people have noticed a bluish tinge to their vision while Viagra is in their system but these side effects are not experienced by all men.

Levitra is prescribed in 5mg, 10mg and 20mg doses. Men usually start off on the 10mg dose. Levitra is usually taken between 25 minutes and 1 hour before sexual intercourse takes place and the effects last for roughly 5 hours. A new version of Levitra will be available in November, which melts in the mouth and has an even faster absorption rate.

The drug that will suit an individual best cannot be predicted so trial and error is often the only way to find out which one is going to work best for you. If you have any specific questions about these medications then one of our medical staff will be happy to answer any question that you may have.

Men who take Viagra are being warned that the treatment will not work if the reason for their erectile dysfunction lies with low testosterone levels according to Dr Geoffrey Hackett, a sexual health specialist at the Good Hope Hospital, Birmingham.

Although around 40% of men over 40 experience erectile dysfunction, more than 1 in 5 men experience erectile dysfunction resulting from a low level of testosterone. It is normal for the levels of this hormone to deplete over time however abnormally low levels of testosterone can be an indicator for future issues such as cardiovascular events, diabetes and osteoporosis.

Quite often we have men for whom Viagra and other medications such as Cialis and Levitra do not work and we always recommend a check up with a doctor face to face. Even if Viagra is working for a patient it is always advisable to rule out underlying health problems as the root cause.

Bremelanotide is a research compound that we have written about many times in the past. Research has been carried out for some time on its use in the treatment of sexual dysfunction and the latest studies were discontinued in 2008 due to vastly increased blood pressure levels amongst those taking the drug. However, Palatin Technologies (the pharmaceutical company behind bremelanotide) has just boasted positive Phase 1 results. They say that they have eliminated the problem of the increase in the level of blood pressure by having the bremelanotide administered subcutaneously. This method of application presents consistent blood plasma levels without changing the blood pressure levels. Not only may these results get bremelanotide further down the regulatory route to a license, but Erectile Dysfunction is not the only condition that is treatable in this way. As of yet there is no FDA approved treatment for Female Sexual Dysfunction(with Intrinsa only licensed in the EU), but Palatin thinks it may have a chance with bremelanotide.

Palatin will meet with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) towards the end of 2010 to discuss the next phase of bremelanotide’s trials. In this phase, Palatin hope to test bremelanotide as a treatment on its own and also as a drug which will work alongside a PDE-5 inhibitor (such as Viagra, Cialis or Levitra). The PDE-5 inhibitor family of medications is not successful for all men who suffer from erectile dysfunction, so combining both or even a new mono-therapy may make for some promising results.

Over 25% of men with ED do not respond to oral treatments currently available, such as Viagra. The CEO of Palatin explains that this is another reason why the future of bremelanotide is important for the likes of these men who don’t have another option. As it stands, what will not come with this treatment is the convenience of administering it orally. Subcutaneous application might inhibit the popularity of the treatment but if it means that men who otherwise have no other option may finally be able to treat their condition, perhaps convenience will not be the primary concern.

Medsafe, New Zealand’s government medicines regulator, has recalled four supposed ‘treatments’ for male and female sexual dysfunction with a warning issued under Section 98 of the Medicines Act 1981. All four products were tested by the Institute of Environmental Science and Research and were shown to have traces of prescription drugs used in Viagra, Cialis and Letriva. The drugs, including, So Hard For Men, Pulse 8 for Women, The Rock and Tonic 66 have been recalled. The Acting Director-General of Medsafe has stated that since July 2009, they have recalled 29 sexual performance enhancers which have been mixed with prescription medications.

Of all the insane products that make spurious promises to turn men suffering from premature ejaculation into Warren Beatty crossed with Russell Brand, this one has to take the biscuit. It’s an I-Pad app for P.E.

For £2.99, the app claims that it will help men ‘take control of (their) mind and body and become a great lover.’ Designed by a British hypnotist Darren Marks,  the app, called Premature Ejaculation HD,  is intended to help users relax and feel confident and in control when in bed. 

It provides access to hypnotherapy sessions via audio which are meant to get you into a meditative state – prior, obviously, to having sex, rather than during. - getting an IPad involved between the sheets could be somewhat awkward. You also get to look at calming images of waterfalls and other such screen-saver type images to really help you get in the mood.

Clearly, men suffering from Premature Ejaculation can benefit from doing relaxation exercises before they try to have intercourse and hypnotherapy sessions on an I-Pad are not going to do any harm, as for example buying unlicensed medications might do.

Still, it’s still a bit depressing that people are still trying to make money out of desperate individuals, making promises to turn someone into a ‘great lover’ when they are totally unable, and are worst of all unqualified to do so!   

Results have been released by Vivus Pharmaceuticals showing that their new drug, avanafil, could help diabetics suffering from erectile dysfunction.

The drug is being trialled amongst men with no other health problems, but the company also launched a trial specific to men with diabetes. Diabetes is a strong risk factor for erectile dysfunction, as it is thought to affect blood flow and can cause nerve damage. Vivus says that nearly half of all men with diabetes suffer from erectile dysfunction.

The Revive-diabetes study saw 390 men with diabetes receive either a placebo or a dose of avanafil. More than 60% of the subjects on the higher dose were able to achieve erections sufficient for penetration, which those treated with the 100mg said that their ability to have intercourse increased 3-fold.

The drug is in late-stage trials and has already been shown to have faster reaction times that other competitors on the market. Viagra takes up to half an hour to have an effect, whereas Avanafil takes up to 15 minutes.

The lead scientist on the study, Laurence Belkoff of the Philedelphoa College of Oestepathic Medicine, has described the results as positive for men with diabetes and erectile dysfunction. He said that the hard-to-treat section of the population would be ‘encouraged’ that there the drug had proved to be well-tolerated, effective and fast acting.

Promising results have been presented from clinical trials into a new spray to treat premature ejaculation. The researchers testing the new treatment say that is could help men suffering from P.E last 6 times longer.

That said, men who used the spray lasted an average of 3 minutes, compared with just over 30 seconds when they did not use it. Premature ejaculation is defined as ejaculation that occurs within one minute of vaginal penetration and is thought to affect up to 30% of men.

The spray, currently known as PDS502, is sprayed on the penis before sex. It is being developed by Shionagi Pharma Inc, who pay the leader of the clinical trial as a consultant. Ira Sharlip, clinical professor of urology at the University of California, has said that he is particularly excited to be involved in rigorous clinical trials for a P.E project.

Though Priligy, Jansenn-Cilag’s new pill for premature ejaculation, has been rigorously trialed, generally products sold as premature ejaculation cures promise amazing things but have little scientific data to back them up.

There have been two pivotal trials into PSD502, involving 530 men with premature ejaculation in total. They were either given a placebo spray or the real medication and were asked to administer 3 sprays to the penis, which was then wiped off before penetration. The spray contains two topical painkillers, lidocaine and prilocaine, and is described as ‘oily but not unpleasantly so’.

The men were asked to calculate their intercourse times (using a stopwatch – erotic!) and as well as reporting longer-lasting erection times, they also said that they experienced better ejaculatory control.

There were however side effects reported by their partners, with the most frequent being burning in the vaginal area.

The company are planning on applying for FDA approval in the near future.

A new treatment for impotence is being developed which could see men take their treatment using a device similar to an asthma inhaler.

Scientists believe that the new method of taking medication could enable men to achieve an erection in as little as ten minutes. The inhaler would contain the drug apomorphine in powdered form. Apomorphine stimulates chemical receptors in the brain.

The drug was originally developed as a treatment for Parkinson’s disease, but scientists began investigating its potential as an erectile dysfunction medication after they noticed that it increased male desire.

It is being developed by Vectura Ltd, a drug development firm based in Wiltshire. They have said that they hope eventually the inhaler could become a first-line treatment for erectile dysfunction.

In a study recently published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine, it was shown that of 600 men taking part in trials, most achieved an erection within ten minutes after using the inhaler.

The company are also developing an inhaled treatment for premature ejacuation, using a neuro-active drug already approved for treatment of other conditions. Early, small clinical trials have shown that the inhaler improved erection time for the participants in the trial, with no major side effects.

While oral medications like Viagra are the most popular forms of treatment for erectile dysfunction, they do not work for all men. There are also more invasive procedures available, such as injections and penile implants. As an alternative to oral medications, inhalers could be very appealing, being easy to use, non-invasive and fast-acting.

We have heard that Pfizer is planning a new version of Viagra that will be available over the counter. According to Campaign magazine, Pfizer is looking at a new formulation and the product will have a completely different name.

Pfizer has previously applied for a license for Viagra to be sold over the counter without seeing a doctor but this was rejected by regulators who insisted that it was essential that patients consult with a doctor prior to a prescription for this medication being written. The reason for this is that erectile dysfunction can indicate more serious underlying conditions that may be missed if the drugs that solve erectile dysfunction or impotence were more freely available.

Our hunch is that this one will not get through the regulators for the same reason as the last attempt. Viagra is available under Patient Group Direction in the UK, where the treatment is prescribed by a pharmacist after a consultation.

The Viagra patent expires in 2012, after which time the price should come down markedly as generic versions become available on a legal basis.

A recent survey revealed that forty per cent of men over the age of forty suffer from erectile dysfunction. As men get older, perhaps unsurprisingly, that number becomes significantly higher. Many men find the subject extremely difficult to discuss, either with a doctor or with a partner.

Many men also worry about their perceived inability to satisfy their partner. This fact might feel particularly significant if you are a 65-year-old man with a partner who is 25 years your junior. Apparently, however, this is not the case for one particular 65-year-old.

Michael Douglas has revealed the secret of his successful marriage to his equally famous, Oscar-winning spouse, Catherine Zeta Jones: As well as blessing the fact that Zeta Jones “likes older guys”, Douglas has admitted that the success of his ten year marriage to the Hollywood siren it not down to roses or chocolates but rather to the fact that “some wonderful enhancements have happened in the last few years - Viagra, Cialis - that can make us all feel younger.”

So it seems that no matter how famous, wealthy or successful you are there is no need to feel any embarrassment about the need to take erectile dysfunction medication if there is a clinical need: rather be grateful that it exists and have fun!

Pzifer and Eli Lilly will be feeling a little nervous after experimental drug firm Vivus Incorporated this week announced that their new erectile dysfunction medication, Avanafil, has quicker reaction times than both Cialis and Viagra.

In late-stage clinical trials, the drug was shown to get to work within 15 minutes, considerably quicker than the current market leaders.  Cialis starts working between 30 minutes and a few hours after it is taken, while Viagra acts within 30 minutes after it is taken.

Volunteers in the trial were given one of three doses of the medication, which is taken orally. 2/3s of those who were given the lowest dose, 50mg, achieved an erection in 15 minutes, rising to 69% of participants on the higher 100mg dose and 72% for those on the highest 200mg dose.

Patients saw improved sexual function and better sexual satisfaction. The side effects reported from the drug included headaches, flushing and nasal congestion.

Vivus said in a statement that the ‘magnitude of success in the first 15 minutes was surprising’. Their CEO LeLand Wilson added that he hoped that the drug would be available within 2 years, assuming that it is approved by regulators.

The speedy reaction time of the drug could significantly help it make an impact on the erectile dysfunction market, which though profitable is dominated by the best-known drugs Viagra and Cialis.

Vivus have quoted a study involved 1,900 patients with erectile dysfunction, 75% of whom said that rapid effect times for medication was an important part of their expectations for treatment. Dr Charles Bowden, director of Clinical Development at the company, believes that the quick reaction time of avanafil will ‘create an attractive position in the market’.

Israeli scientists have developed a new way to combat erectile dysfunction – sound waves. The therapy uses shock waves which are fired into the body, ultimately helping men who suffering from erectile problems.

The therapy is pain free and works by stimulating new blood vessels to grow in the genital area. Previously developed 20 years ago, the therapy was originally intended for use to dissolve kidney stones. The waves of pressure go through the skin and are not sufficient to damage tissue, but are the right pressure to smash the stones into a sand-like consistency that is then passed out when the patient urinates.

Several studies have now shown that the therapy encourages blood vessels to grow, by triggering Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor, which signals to the body that the new vessels need to start growing. The potential for encouraging better blood flow around the body has also led to hopes that the treatment could also be used to combat heart disease.

In the trial, 20 men with an average age of 56 were recruited to take part. All were taking medications like Viagra or Cialis and most had suffered from impotence for 3 years. The severity of their problem was then measured using a system frequently used to doctors to assess impotence, the International Index of Erectile Dysfunction, a points system with a low score indicating a significant problem.

After treatment, the men saw their scores increase by between 5 to 10 points, indicating that the therapy significantly improved their condition.

The doctor leading the study, Dr. Yoram Vardi, said that the treatment was important because it could offer a biological solution to erectile dysfunction rather than controlling the condition with medication. However the treatment is still a very long way of being offered to patients and clinical trials are ongoing.

The UK Medicines regulator has warned that patients taking herbal remedies to treat erectile dysfunction could be taking serious risks with their health.

The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency, the MHRA, has said that patients should avoid taking herbal ED products and should stick to the three clinically trialed remedies for the condition, Cialis, Levitra and Viagra.

The regulatory body said that often, herbal products contain unspecified chemical ingredients and are dangerous and misleading. In a statement, they said that frequently products that promised to be 100% natural were making false claims.

The products are sold either on the internet or through traditional herbal outlets. Each month, the MHRA announce that various supposedly herbal products have been discovered to contain illegal ingredients, such as sildenafil (the active drug in Viagra) or tadalafil (the drug in Cialis), though this is not declared on the ingredients list.

Both drugs should only be sold with a doctor’s prescription and can put patients health at risk if they have contra-indications for the medication.

The MHRA warned that taking medicines containing ‘random, uncontrolled quantities’ of the analogue chemical compounds could potentially cause serious reactions in patients, including strokes, heart attacks and severe hypotension.

Since 2005, the MHRA have discovered that 2/3s of the 138 unlicensed herbal products they tested contained prescription-only medications in a range of quantities.

A Korean drugs company has begun stage III trials for its new erectile dysfunction medication, Zydena. The trials are taking place in the U.S, with the ultimate aim of receiving approval from the FDA.

Dong-A are working with U.S partners Warner Chilcott PLC  to complete the trials into the drug, which will be randomized, double-blind and placebo controlled. 1,100 men are expected to take part in the trials,which will be taking place in 80 different locations across America. They are designed to look at safety as well as how effective the drug is.

In a statement, the company announced that they were hoping to complete clinical trials for the U.S and the European Union within two years.  

In 2005 Udenalfil – the medical name for Zydena - was approved by the Korean Food and Drug Administration in 2005 and went on sale there in early 2006. It was also approved by the Russian drug regulators in 2008 and went on sale there in 2009. Since it went on sale in Korea, the drug has been a fairly big seller, with over 6 million tablets prescribed for men with erectile dysfunction.

The medication is part of the same category of medication that Viagra, Cialis and Levitra belong to, phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE-5). If it does receive approval it will be in direct competition with the more established medications.

A company that makes medical devices, Medtronic Inc, this week announced that they beginning a feasibility study into a new treatment for erectile dysfunction that uses a stent to deliver medication to the genitals.

The study is called Zen and the company have said they are aiming to enrol 50 subjects in up to 10 medical centres around the US over the coming year. The company are hoping that the new treatment method will provide men who do not respond well to PDE5 inhibitors, namely Viagra, Cialis and Levitra, with another option.

A stent is a small device that is inserted into a natural passage or conduit in the body. They are usually used to treat coronary heart disease by opening clogged arteries. Medtronic have designed a special stent that will be inserted into the pelvic artery to counteract coronary heart disease-related impotence.

They plan to work with urologists and interventionists at the different medical centres who take part in the trial and hope that results will be available in 2011.

Scientists from New York have said that a topical cream being developed for the treatment of erectile dysfunction could be safer than the traditional pill method currently used.

Studies have been done showing that the three main ED medications Viagra, Cialis and Levitra could pass through the skin in tiny capsules, producing fewer side effects and speeding up the action of the drugs considerably.

At the moment, some men experience side effects from the medication, which can include blurred vision, headaches or upset stomachs. Men with heart problems are also advised to be extremely cautious when using the tablets or even avoid using them entirely.

The topical cream might avoid these problems, as by applying the cream specifically to the genital area the active ingredients of the medication would be confined to a single area, rather than circulating widely around the body.

The science behind the new innovation is nanotechnology, which uses tiny particles smaller than a grain of pollen. One of the lead researchers, Dr Kelvin Davis, said that the nanoparticles containing Cialis, nitric oxide and a new medication called sialorphin, entered the body extremely quickly and so cut down the response time to a few minutes, fulfilling men’s wish for a fast-acting medication.

The team published the results from the tests, which were done on rats, in the Journal of Sexual Medicine. They warned however that the topical cream was unlikely to be ready for general use for at least a decade.

The connection between unhealthy living and erectile dysfunction has long been highlighted by the medical community and the media. However, new research from The Second University of Naples has established that women should be wary too due to a strong link between high cholesterol and female sexual dysfunction.The research found that women who had high cholesterol had not only their general health affected but also their ability to be sexually aroused. High cholesterol, also known as hyperlipidemia, causes arteries to get blocked restricting the flow of blood around the body. As with men, women need an increase in blood flow to their sexual organs in order to achieve good sexual functioning.