How much does erectile dysfunction (ED) treatment cost in Singapore?

Doctor's Answers 1

Erectile dysfunction (ED) refers to the inability to get and keep an erection firm enough for intercourse. Having erection trouble from time to time may not always be a cause for concern. If ED is an ongoing issue, it can cause stress, affect one’s self-confidence and contribute to issues with one’s partner. ED can also be a sign of an underlying health condition (e.g., diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia) that needs treatment and a risk factor for heart disease.

Shockwave Therapy

The new kid on the block for treatment for ED is shockwave therapy. This form of treatment uses external, low-intensity acoustics to trigger a process that forms new blood vessels, improving blood flow to the groin area to help improve the rigidity of an erection.

Patients generally require six sessions divided over two to three weeks, costing in total between S$2,000 and S$5,000, depending on the clinic.

ED Drugs

Erectile dysfunction is frequently done with the prescription of ED drugs. The following table shows the 5 ED drugs that can be considered. The price of the medicine may vary from clinic to clinic.

Drug

Onset of action

Duration of action

Effect of food intake

Unique side effects

Avanafil

15-30 minutes

Up to 6 hours

Not affected

Sildenafil

30-60 minutes

Up to 12 hours

High-fat meals decrease efficacy

Vision abnormalities (PDE6)

Vardenafil

30-60 minutes

Up to 10 hours

High-fat meals decrease efficacy

Vision abnormalities (PDE6)

Tadalafil

60-120 minutes

Up to 36 hours

Not affected

Back pain, myalgias

Udenafil

60-90 minutes

Up to 24 hours ?

High-fat meals decrease efficacy

Vision abnormalities (PDE6)

ED medications enhance the effects of nitric oxide — a natural chemical that the body produces that relaxes muscles in the penis. This increases blood flow and allows a man to get an erection in response to sexual stimulation.

An important myth to dispel is that taking the medicine will not automatically result in an erection. Sexual stimulation is needed first to cause the release of nitric oxide from the penile nerves. These medications amplify that signal, allowing some men to function normally. The medications vary in dosage, how long they work and side effects.

Possible side effects include:

  1. flushing
  2. nasal congestion
  3. headache
  4. visual changes
  5. backache
  6. and stomach upset

ED may be due to psychological factors like:

  1. anxiety
  2. depression
  3. work stress
  4. relationship issues
  5. performance anxiety
  6. and so on

For such cases, it is best to obtain treatment from a psychiatrist who has special expertise and experience in helping these individuals and couples.

Vacuum Constriction Device (VCD) Treatment

Another treatment option for ED is a vacuum constriction device (VCD). This is an external pump with a band on it that a man with erectile dysfunction can use to get and maintain an erection. The VCD consists of an acrylic cylinder with a pump that may be attached directly to the end of the penis. A constriction ring or band is placed on the cylinder at the other end, which is applied to the body. The cylinder and pump are used to create a vacuum to help the penis become erect; the band or constriction ring is used to help maintain the erection.

Vacuum constriction devices vary in cost from $300 to $500, depending on the brand and type. The battery-powered versions tend to be more expensive, but also tend to work a little more quickly. Battery-powered devices are especially helpful for men who do not have good hand strength or coordination or who have arthritis. Bruising of the penis is a possible side effect, and ejaculation will be restricted by the band. The penis may feel cold to the touch.

Alprostadil Injection

Some patients also find Alprostadil self-injection useful. With this method, a man will use a fine needle to inject alprostadil (Caverject Impulse) into the base or side of his penis. Each injection is dosed to create an erection lasting no longer than an hour. Because the needle used is very fine, pain from the injection site is usually minor.

Side effects can include:

  1. mild bleeding from the injection
  2. prolonged erection (priapism)
  3. and, rarely, formation of fibrous tissue at the injection site.

Alprostadil intraurethral (Muse) therapy

Alprostadil intraurethral (Muse) therapy involves placing a tiny alprostadil suppository inside the penis in the penile urethra. A special applicator is used to insert the suppository into the penile urethra. The erection usually starts within 10 minutes and, when effective, lasts between 30 and 60 minutes.

Side effects can include:

  1. pain
  2. minor bleeding in the urethra
  3. and formation of fibrous tissue inside the penis.

Testosterone Replacement Therapy

In some men, ED is complicated by low levels of the hormone testosterone. For this problem, testosterone replacement therapy may be recommended as the first step or given in combination with other therapies.

Penile Implants

Penile implants involve surgically placing devices into both sides of the penis. These implants consist of either inflatable or malleable (bendable) rods. Inflatable devices allow a man to control when and how long he has an erection. The malleable rods keep the penis firm but bendable.

Penile implants are usually not recommended until other methods have been tried first. There is a risk of complications, such as infection. It will be good to call up the urologist's clinic to find out more about the cost of this surgery as the charges may vary from surgeon to surgeon.

Similar Questions

Should I stop taking anti-depressants?

Thank you for sharing your story with us. It appears to me you may have eating disorder with co-morbid depression. Both conditions can be aggravated by stress and both need to be treated. It will be good if you can carefully recall all the treatments that you have received over the years and write down all down. If you have been admitted to hospital, you can also refer to the discharge summaries that you have received from the hospital. You can create two columns, 1 for the type of treatment (including medication) and the other for the response that you have following that treatment modality.

Photo of Dr Beng Yeong Ng

Answered By

Dr Beng Yeong Ng

Psychiatrist

What are some possible causes for a mild erectile dysfunction and an extremely bad phimosis?

Phimosis can range from a tight foreskin that is difficult to retract to expose the glans (head) of the penis to pinpoint phimosis where the foreskin cannot be retracted at all. Men who have never retracted their foreskin is prone to phimosis as the foreskin forms adhesions to the underlying glans of the penis. Erectile dysfunction is a condition where a man is unable to maintain an erection strong enough for penetrative sex. Some men with ED also complain of erections not hard enough for satisfactory sex. Phimosis is usually not associated with erectile dysfunction.

Photo of Human

Answered By

Human

Ask any health question for free

I’m not so sure about a procedure...

Ask Icon Ask a Question

Join Human

Sign up now for a free Human account to get answers from specialists in Singapore.

Sign Up

Get The Pill

Be healthier with our Bite-sized health news straight in your inbox