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ED treatment options:
Pros and cons at a glance

The following chart provides a side-by-side comparison of the three most common erectile dysfunction (ED) treatment options. By evaluating the pros and cons of each, you can make informed decisions regarding your preferred approach to managing ED.

Oral medications icon

Oral medications1*

Penile injections icon

Penile injections2,3

Penile implants icon

Penile implants4

Gives you full control

no
no
yes

Wait time for effect to kick in

Icon of a clock
Icon of a clock

Staying power for intimate moments

Icon of a clock
Icon of a clock

Potential to increase penis girth

no
no
yes

No risk of priapism
(erection lasting 4 hours or longer)

no
no
yes

Disclaimer: This comparison chart is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice for any specific patient or to address all potential features and benefits across all listed erectile dysfunction treatment options. Individuals using this chart are encouraged to consult their healthcare provider for additional information before making any decisions regarding ED treatment.

*Information in the chart above is for Cialis® tablets and other medications may be different. Cialis is a registered trademark of Eli Lilly and Company.

ED treatment pathways: a cost comparison

An ED treatment pathway is a structured plan outlining the sequential steps to be followed in treating erectile dysfunction. Most ED patients start their treatment pathway with oral medications.5 When those fail, penile injections are typically the next prescribed treatment.6 Over time, physicians may suggest a penile implant for those seeking a long-term, cost-effective treatment.7,8

Penile implants are more cost-effective than other ED treatments over time.8

Here are some typical ED treatment pathways and estimated costs that men may experience over a 10-year period, based on recent studies.8

Note: The following hypothetical examples are based on cost-effective analyses of erectile dysfunction management over a 10-year time period; they are not based on actual patient experiences. Supporting data were collected in clinical journal articles and supplemented by some cost data from recent years.

Meet Jack. He’s taken oral medications for 10 years.

His total 10-year out-of-pocket:

Year 1

Jack kicked off his ED treatment pathway with a prescription for a lower-cost oral medication.

Initial annual prescription cost

treated for ED are
treated with ED
pills first5

Year 2

Jack felt he needed something stronger. He talked with his doctor and was prescribed a different oral medication.

New annual prescription cost

who try a second
treatment move to a
more expensive brand
of ED pills6

Over 10 years…

By sticking to oral medications for the full 10 years, Jack’s total out-of-pocket costs for ED treatment were $9,640.9

New annual prescription cost

For patients who find success with ED pills, the total out-of-pocket costs can average out to more than $9,500 over a 10-year period when using average monthly prescription rates.

Gabe switched to penile injections after 3 years of oral medications.

His total 10-year out-of-pocket:

Years 1–3

Gabe began his ED treatment journey with a prescription for oral medications.

Annual prescription cost

treated for ED are
treated with ED
pills first5

Year 4

As the effectiveness of the pills began to decline, Gabe consulted with his doctor. They looked at alternate options, and Gabe decided on penile injections.

New annual prescription cost

(12-month out-of-pocket cost for Alprostadil)

who try a second treatment
try penile injections8

!
!

A note on risks

Of men who choose to use penile injections, 20% experience priapism (an erection lasting 4 hours or longer).5

Priapism outpatient costs

72% of priapism cases send patient home the same day8

$11,047+ Initial 10-year cost

+ $356 Outpatient cost to treat priapism

= $11,403+ Total 10-year cost with outpatient priapism

Priapism inpatient costs

27% of priapism cases require at least one night in hospital8

$11,047+ Initial 10-year cost

+ $8,382 Inpatient cost to treat priapism

= $19,429+ Total 10-year cost with inpatient priapism

Patients who struggle with priapism from injections generally will stop additional treatment.

By year 10…

With 3 years of pills and at least 1 year of penile injections, the total 10-year out-of-pocket costs for Gabe’s ED treatment pathway (even without priapsm treatment) exceeded $11,047.9

New annual prescription cost

For patients who try pills first, then move on to injections, the total out-of-pocket costs could average out to be well over $10,000 in a 10-year period using average monthly prescription rates.

Plus, in- or outpatient treatment for priapsm can add hundreds, if not thousands, to the cost of treating ED.5

Robert chose a penile implant after 4 years of oral medications.

His total 10-year out-of-pocket:

Years 1–4

Robert began his ED treatment journey with one brand of oral medications. In year two, he switched to a different brand of pills, which he took for another 3 years.

Annual prescription costs

treated for ED are treated with ED pills first5

who try a second treatment
move to a more expensive brand of ED pills6

Year 5

Unsatisfied with the decreasing effectiveness of the pills, and tired of having to plan their intimacy, Robert and his wife talked to their doctor about a penile implant – and they’ve never been happier.

One treatment cost:

Unlike other treatments for ED, a penile implant allows a man to get an erection without any planning or waiting.

By year 10…

Over the course of 10 years, Robert’s total out-of-pocket costs for his ED treatment pathway were $8,108.9

Total cost calculation

Penile implants are an effective
long-term ED solution7 resulting in significant cost savings.8

Find a specialist

To discuss these treatment options further and learn which solution is right for you, explore our physician directory to find a local qualified urologist who specializes in men’s health and ED.

Take a self-assessment

Whether you’re just starting to research ED or you’ve already tried the blue pills, this discreet online assessment can help direct you to the information that you need based on your own unique experience with erectile dysfunction.

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Have questions? Need support? We’re here to help!

Call or chat online with a member of our Coloplast Guided Support team. We can answer your questions and connect you with a local qualified urologist who specializes in ED.

References

1 Erectile Dysfunction (ED). Urology Care Foundation. https://www.urologyhealth.org/urology-a-z/e/erectile-dysfunction-(ed). Accessed January 2024.

2 CAVERJECT® IMPULSE Medication Guide. ©2022 Pfizer Inc.

3 CAVERJECT® IMPULSE What are the causes of and treatments for ED? ©2022 Pfizer Inc.

4 Titan and Titan Touch Inflatable Penile Prosthesis Instructions for Use (North America) 70002766 Rev. A. . Humlebaek, DK: Coloplast A/S. ; May 2023.

5 Frederick LR, Cakir OO, Arora H, Helfand BT, McVary KT. Undertreatment of erectile dysfunction: claims analysis of 6.2 million patients. J Sex Med. 2014 Oct;11(10):2546-53.

6 Burnett AL, Nehra A, Breau RH, et al. Erectile dysfunction: AUA guideline. J Urol. 2018;200(3):633-641.

7 Miller LE, Khera M, Bhattacharyya S, Patel M, Nitschelm K, Burnett AL. Long-Term Survival Rates of Inflatable Penile Prostheses: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Urology. 2022 Aug;166:6-10.

8 Moses RA, Anderson RE, Kim J, Keihani S, Craig JR, Myers JB, Lenherr SM, Brant WO, Hotaling JM. Erectile dysfunction management after failed phosphodiesterase-5-inhibitor trial: a cost-effectiveness analysis. Transl Androl Urol. 2019 Aug;8(4):387-394.

9 Data on file. ED Treatment Pathway Good Rx Data for Pills and ICI.

PM-33078

Important safety information
Titan® & Titan Touch Inflatable Penile Prosthesis

The Titan Inflatable Penile Prosthesis is a surgically implanted mechanical penile implant intended for the treatment of erectile dysfunction in men. The Titan implant is a 3-piece fluid-filled system manually operated to produce and sustain an erection for sexual intercourse.

Indications

The Titan Inflatable Penile Prosthesis is indicated for male patients with erectile dysfunction who are considered to be candidates for implantation of a penile prosthesis.

Contraindications

The Titan implant is not for use in patients who have one or more of the following conditions: 1) have an active infection, particularly urinary tract or genital infection, 2) are sensitive or allergic to silicone or polyurethane, 3) have ongoing difficulty urinating or emptying the bladder (e.g., bladder outlet obstruction or neurogenic bladder), or 4) unwilling to undergo any further surgery for device revision.

Warnings

Patients should consider the warnings, precautions and potential complications associated with the use of this product, which may include the following: potential for resurgery (note: device is not a lifetime implant). Implantation makes latent natural erections, as well as other interventional treatment options, impossible. Implantation may result in penile shortening, curvature or scarring. Pre-existing abdominal or penile scarring or contracture may make surgical implantation more complicated or impractical. Diabetic, as well as immunocompromised patients, may have an increased risk of infection which could result in permanent damage to tissue/organs. Excessive stresses from rigorous exercise and vigorous masturbation/intercourse could lead to device damage. Certain stresses and pressures (straddle seating, obesity, etc.) could lead to involuntary inflation or deflation. Post-implant penile size, girth and angle can vary based on patient anatomy, implant size, level of inflation, and presence of Peyronie’s disease.

Precautions

Patients with spinal cord injury may have an increased risk of infection. This device may be used to treat erectile dysfunction in the presence of Peyronie’s disease. Although the implant is not visible, depending on the placement (submuscular) the reservoir may be palpable.

Patients should consider the following factors which could lead to increased risk of failure and can be critical to the eventual success of the procedure: ability and willingness of the patient to follow instructions; associated psychological status (e.g., psychogenic erectile dysfunction, inappropriate attitude or motivation); health conditions which hamper sexual activity (such as severe angina) may prevent successful use of this device; manual dexterity problems; and lack sufficient manual dexterity or strength necessary to operate the device.

Impact injuries to the pelvic or abdominal areas (e.g., sports injuries) can result in damage to the implant which may necessitate replacement of the device. Contracture of tissue around the pump can cause unnatural firmness in the scrotum and involuntary inflation or deflation. The device may fail to deflate and/or deflation of the device may be slow or difficult for some patients. Device malfunctions may result in the inability to inflate or deflate the device. Removal of the device without timely reimplantation of a new implant may complicate subsequent reimplantation.

Potential Complications

Adverse events are known to occur with penile protheses procedures and implants; some may require revision surgery or removal of the implant. Adverse events following penile protheses implantation may be new onset (de novo), persistent, worsening, transient, or permanent.

Adverse events may include but are not limited to: inability to pull foreskin back from tip of uncircumcised penis (acquired phimosis); abnormal wound healing/adhesion/scar tissue; bladder storage symptoms/urinary retention; tightening, shortening, deformity or curvature of penis (capsular contracture, induration); discomfort/pain; injury to tissue or organs (perforation/erosion/extrusion) resulting in damage or loss of tissue (necrosis); open tunnel between tissue or organs (fistula); foreign body reaction/allergic reaction/sensitivity; bleeding/hemorrhage or collection of blood or fluid outside of tissue or vessels (hematoma/seroma); hernia; Infection/urinary tract infection; redness or swelling (inflammation/edema); difficult or painful intercourse (dyspareunia/sexual dysfunction); obstruction/occlusion; numbness or decreased sensation (e.g., hypoesthesia); and urinary incontinence. The occurrence of these events may require one or more subsequent surgeries which may or may not always fully correct the complication.

This treatment is prescribed by your physician. Discuss the treatment options with your physician to understand the risks and benefits of the various options to determine if an inflatable penile implant is right for you.

Caution: Federal law (USA) restricts this device to sale by or on the order of a physician.

PM-15451 / Feb 2024