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Alprostadil gel, available in the US and in Europe

By Serge Kreutz

Version 4.4, July 2010

As far as engineering erections is concerned, alprostadil has become a competitor of phosphodiesterase inhibitor. There is no doubt that alprostadil works. Actually, this has been known for some time.

However, previous formulations were awkward to apply, as they were for injections or intraurethral pellets. Most men do not want to inject medications into their penises, and definitely not on a day-to-day basis.

The alprostadil that now has become available can be applied as an ointment to the male genitals. It will reliably cause an erection within minutes. This is a substantial advantage over phosphodiesterase inhibitor, which usually needs 60 to 90 minutes to take effect (and on a full stomach, even longer). This means that with phosphodiesterase inhibitor, it is difficult to bridge the waiting period with foreplay.