A Non-Medicated Gel to Treat Erectile Dysfunction: Snake Oil or the Real Deal?

A Non-Medicated Gel to Treat Erectile Dysfunction: Snake Oil or the Real Deal?

The results of a 2019 clinical trial of 1,000 European men with erectile dysfunction (ED) have led people to wonder: could a non-medicated topical gel really help men get erections? Unfortunately, the answer is probably, ‘no.’

Erectile dysfunction, or the inability to attain an erection that is firm enough or lasts long enough for sex, is a condition that affects many men at some point in their lives. Medical professionals and researchers have explored a number of treatment options for ED, including oral medications (like Viagra), testosterone replacement therapy, penile implants, pumps, and surgeries, and even shockwave therapy. Despite the number of currently available therapies, investigators are always searching for new and effective treatments. 

When the above-mentioned 2019 clinical trial was designed, researchers were trying to determine how effective a nitroglycerin gel called MED2005 (Futura Medical, Surrey, UK) would be at treating ED when applied to the head of the penis. For the trial, the subjects were divided into a nitroglycerin group and a control group. The men in the control group were given a non-medicated gel to apply, or have a partner apply, to their penises.

At the start of the trial, 62% of all participants were able to attain an erection that was firm enough for penetration. After 12 weeks of using one of the topical gels, 86% of the men using the non-medicated gel could achieve erections suitable for penetration, compared to 83-86% of the men using the nitroglycerin gel. Also, 22% of the men in the trial reported being able to sustain an erection long enough to complete intercourse at the start of the trial. At the 12-week mark, 59% of the men who used the unmedicated gel could maintain an erection long enough to complete intercourse, along with 58-61% of the men in the nitroglycerin gel group.

While these results may seem exciting at first blush, they can be misleading, and sexual medicine experts are quick to caution against getting caught up in a “placebo gel” frenzy. The reason is that the placebo effect is, by definition, a positive result that cannot be attributed to the properties of a medicine or treatment and must therefore be caused by a patient’s belief that the treatment is working.

This means that the placebo effect will always result in an increase over the baseline (as it did in this trial), and the results of this study are actually just showing that neither the non-medicated gel nor the treatment being investigated resulted in any improvements beyond the expected placebo effect. In order to truly determine the efficacy of this non-medicated gel in treating ED, researchers would need to design a new study with a different control such as an oral placebo pill and demonstrate that the gel showed benefits beyond the other placebo method. Until then, this gel will likely remain just as it initially seems: too good to be true.

Despite this important caveat, the findings of this study have led European regulators to consider approving the non-medicated gel as an over-the-counter sexual enhancement product, and the Food and Drug Administration has approved an initial trial of the gel in the U.S. to see if it has any real potential.

Resources:

Dotinga, R. (2021, April 20). Could a ‘Placebo’ Become the Next Big ED Treatment? MedPage Today. https://www.medpagetoday.com/special-reports/exclusives/92177

Other Popular Articles

What Is Jelqing, and Does It Actually Work?

The term “jelqing” refers to a set of penis stretching exercises that some believe can make the penis bigger. Although the practice has gained attention and popularity in blogs and internet forums in recent years, there is no scientific evidence that it is an effective way to permanently increase the size of one’s penis. In fact, in some cases, jelqing may actually cause damage to the penis, so it is a good idea to get all the facts before setting off to try it.

What Is Sensate Focus and How Does It Work?

Sensate focus is a technique used to improve intimacy and communication between partners around sex, reduce sexual performance anxiety, and shift away from ingrained, goal-oriented sexual patterns that may not be serving a couple.

What Is the Average Penis Size?

If you have ever wondered how your penis compares to others in terms of size, you are not alone. Many men are curious to know how their penises stack up compared to the average. Unfortunately, general curiosity can sometimes give way to full-on obsession and anxiety about penis size. This can be an unhealthy and often unnecessary fixation, especially because most men who think their penises are too small have perfectly normal-sized penises.

What Is Edging and Why Do People Do It?

Edging is the practice of stopping sexual stimulation before reaching orgasm to prolong a sexual experience. The term stems from the concept of approaching the metaphorical “edge” of orgasm but stopping before going over the edge.

The Sex-Positivity Movement: What it Means to Be Sex-Positive

You may have heard references to “being sex-positive” or “the sex-positivity movement” in popular culture. Various celebrities have brought attention to this movement by speaking out about their beliefs and personal experiences regarding sexuality, sexual health, body positivity, “slut-shaming,” and sexual assault.

Can Sex Reduce Menstrual Cramps?

The SMSNA periodically receives and publishes ‘guest editorials.’ The current article was submitted by Mia Barnes, a freelance writer and researcher who specializes in women's health, wellness, and healthy living. She is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Body+Mind Magazine.

Having sex while you experience menstrual cramps is healthy and can provide significant benefits. While it might not be the first activity that comes to mind when your PMS or period cramping begins, many people enjoy sex to reduce menstrual cramps, experience increased pleasure and benefit from other advantages. Learn more about having sex while menstrual cramps are happening and how it can help your body.

Find a Provider

Find a provider who specializes in sexual medicine in your area.

FIND NOW
Image