Botox and Dysport for Erectile Dysfunction

What are Botox and Dysport?

Botox and Dysport both act by blocking muscle contractions. They are both commonly used to treat excessive sweating, overactive bladder, chronic migraines, and, cosmetically, to smooth wrinkles.

They work by temporarily relaxing muscles. Recently, research has looked into this muscle relaxation at the erectile level. Erections involve the relaxation of arterial smooth muscles to allow for increased blood flow to the penis. Botox and Dysport can increase this relaxation, leading to increased blood flow to the penis and a stronger erection.

How do Botox and Dysport work for Erectile Dysfunction?

Scientific studies looking into the effectiveness and tolerability of Botox and Dysport in treating erectile dysfunction have found an impressive response rate. Overall, this difficult-to-treat population had a 54% response rate, which is quite high. Interestingly, the efficacy did not seem to be influenced by the cause of the erectile dysfunction. None of them have reported any side effects. 

How long do Botox and Dysport work for Erectile Dysfunction?

Similar to their effect on facial muscles, Botox and Dysport’s effect on erectile function lasted several months.

Are Botox and Dysport safe for Erectile Dysfunction?

Yes, the studies have shown that patients have no side effects associated with either Botox or Dysport. In general, side effects associated with Botox/Dysport include Flu-like symptoms, nausea, and headaches. After injecting for erectile dysfunction, we ensure that the Botox/Dysport remains in the penis for adequate tissue uptake, thus reducing the chance of it being spread into the bloodstream.

Given that everyone responds differently to Botox and Dysport, we start with the lowest and can increase depending on the response.  By consulting your Tower Men’s Health physician, you will receive a custom-tailored treatment protocol depending on your current erectile function and what treatments you have tried in the past.

Takeaways

For some, Botox can lead to stronger spontaneous erections, which means that patients don’t need to rely on timing erectile dysfunction pills anymore.

There are currently many alternatives for patients who no longer respond to erectile dysfunction pills. Many are more invasive, which can be a turn-off to many patients. Botox and Dysport offer a great alternative to patients who want to avoid more invasive erectile dysfunction therapy options while trying to maximize their response rate to erectile dysfunction pills.