Erectile dysfunction gel: what it is & how it works
Amelia Jean Hershman-Jones
Health hub
Reading time: 5 minutes
The first gel treatment for erectile dysfunction is on the shelves & available to buy from Boots now – but what is it, how does it work & could it be suitable for you?
Conversations around erectile dysfunction (ED) can sometimes be peppered with jokes, judgements and skirting around the issue. So it may surprise you to learn that some form of erectile problems will likely happen to many men at least once in their lives – particularly after the age of 40 – with around 4.3 million men in the UK experiencing symptoms.*
When it comes to such problems, the NHS recommends the first port of call should be to ensure that you have a healthy lifestyle. If you think yours could be improved upon, some considerations could include losing weight (if necessary), quitting smoking, eating a healthy and balanced diet and exercising regularly, as well as finding ways to reduce everyday stress. It can also be helpful to avoid drinking more than 14 units of alcohol a week and, if you’re a keen cyclist, taking a break from the saddle. If the problems persist, it’s best to book in with a GP or sexual health clinic for advice.
You can also speak with a pharmacist for advice and information on over-the-counter medicines that may be suitable for you.
It could also be worth considering a topical treatment. In fact, a new erectile dysfunction gel that can start working within 10 minutes, and can be used by men who are unable to take medications such as sildenafil, has just landed in UK pharmacies.
Called Eroxon, this drug-free treatment, which can be purchased off the shelf, is clinically proven to help men with mild to severe erectile dysfunction.
Want to find out more? We speak to the experts to answer some of the most-searched questions to help you decide whether this breakthrough topical gel treatment could be suitable for your sexual health needs and is something you wish to consider.
The most common cause of ED is a lack of blood supply to the penis
What is erectile dysfunction?
According to the NHS, erectile dysfunction is the inability to get an erection (except at certain times, such as upon first waking) or maintain an erection for long enough to engage in sexual activity.
Sometimes, there might also be a loss of libido and low sex drive.
“The most common cause of ED is a lack of blood supply to the penis, which can be linked to a host of common conditions, including cardiovascular disease, atherosclerosis (narrowed arteries), high cholesterol, high blood pressure, obesity and diabetes,” explains GP and TV medic, Dr Hilary Jones.
“Depression and anxiety can also be key causes. Some medications, such as those used for blood pressure, prostate cancer and some that are used for gastrointestinal ulcers, include ED as a side-effect. Smoking, alcohol and lack of exercise may also be factors.”
If you think a medicine you are taking may be having this type of side-effect, speak to a GP before taking any action. It is important to take medicine as prescribed unless advised otherwise by your prescriber.
What is Eroxon & how effective is it?
Eroxon has been touted as a breakthrough treatment for ED. “The fast-acting topical gel has a unique evaporative action, which is clinically proven,” Dr Hilary tells us. “In two ‘phase three’ clinical studies, the usage of Eroxon led to an erection within 10 minutes.”
“The effect has been shown to last long enough to have sexual intercourse in 65% of men.”
Dr Hilary continues: “In a 12-week, multi-centre and multinational double-blind trial in 250 men, 63% of those using Eroxon showed significant improvement in erectile function, and it was demonstrated to be clinically effective across mild, moderate and severe ED sufferers.
“Three in five Eroxon uses (60%) led to an erection within 10 minutes of application.”
The evaporative, cooling action, leads to an erection
How does Eroxon work?
Delivered via a unique proprietary technology developed by the UK pharmaceutical company, Futura Medical, Eroxon gel is applied topically to the glans (head) of the penis and has a cooling action that stimulates nerve endings on the glans, increasing blood flow.
“This physical mode of action, ie, the evaporative, cooling action, leads to an erection,” explains Ness Cooper, sex therapist, couples counsellor and sex advisor at Je Joue sex toys.
During sexual arousal, nitric oxide is released from nerve endings and endothelial cells in the corpus cavernosum (two bands of spongy tissue within the penis), which then fill with blood and activate an erection. Phosphodiesterase inhibitors (PDE5is), such as sildenafil, work by blocking the breakdown of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), which prolongs the action of nitric oxide and promotes vasodilation.
Eroxon promotes the widening of blood vessels (vasodilation) through a different mechanism. It evaporates in seconds, providing a rapid cooling and gradual warming sensation.
This stimulates pressure- and temperature-sensitive free-nerve endings in the glans, which increases blood flow to the corpus cavernosum and leads to an erection.
How to use Eroxon
“Apply a pea-sized amount of gel to the penis and massage for 15 seconds,” begins Dr Hilary. “Application can be a part of foreplay.”
Who it may be helpful for
“Eroxon gel can be used by men who are unable to take oral medications; phosphodiesterase inhibitors (PDE5is), such as sildenafil, due to other health conditions or drug interactions,” says Dr Hilary.
For instance, “Oral PDE5is should not be used by men with conditions such as a history of heart disease, liver disease or the use of angina medications,” Dr Hilary highlights, and can be “associated with side-effects such as mild headache, flushing, dyspepsia, visual disturbance, back pain, low blood pressure, dizziness and nasal congestion.
“Lack of spontaneity can also be an issue, with oral medication taking a while to kick in (these medications start to work from 30 minutes after taking and upon sexual stimulation), compared to Eroxon topical gel, which can be applied as part of foreplay and works within 10 minutes.”
For some, there may be a further psychological advantage of applying a topical treatment over taking a tablet. “If you apply a topical product, it can feel less medical and lead to less of the shame that can sometimes occur from pathologising sexual dysfunction,” says Ness.
Who should avoid it?
“Eroxon gel has minimal side-effects in men and their partners,” says Dr Hilary.
“1% of men and 0.4% of their female partners reported a ‘localised burning sensation’ but it was not clear whether this was related to the use of Eroxon. As Eroxon is drug-free, there are no known drug interactions.”
It’s a good idea to scan the ingredients label to make sure you don’t have existing allergies to any of the ingredients listed. An allergic reaction could include redness, swelling or itching. If this happens, remove any excess product, avoid touching the gel and stop using it immediately.
If symptoms don’t improve after a few minutes, or you’re having trouble breathing, seek immediate medical attention.
It’s also recommended to avoid Eroxon if a GP has advised to avoid sexual activity and if there is any disease or deformity of the penis (such as Peyronie’s Disease).
When should you seek further support?
“See a GP if ED persists for more than a few weeks, despite the use of Eroxon gel,” advises Dr Hilary.
“A GP will assess the general state of your health because the condition can be the first sign of more serious health conditions, such as cardiovascular disease (CVD). One of the first signs of coronary heart disease (CHD, one type of CVD) is that blood vessels cannot dilate properly (which is called endothelial dysfunction). This may affect the blood vessels in the penis first.”
Other treatments for ED include prescription medicines, vacuum pumps and over-the-counter medicines available to buy from a pharmacy.
If you have any questions about erectile dysfunction and how it can be treated, speak to a pharmacist, GP or access the advice provided by the Boots Online Doctor Erectile Dysfunction service.**
