MUSE (alprostadil) is a medicine belonging to a group of therapies called vasodilators that are used to expand blood vessels and increase blood flow. Alprostadil helps produce erections in men with erectile dysfunction because the drug relaxes blood vessels and muscles in the penis and increases blood flow into the organ, which causes an erection. The therapy can be prescribed for men with multiple sclerosis (MS) who experience erectile dysfunction.
MUSE (Medicated Urethral System for Erections) is an alprostadil pellet (suppository) that can be inserted via applicator into the tip of the penis.
The first application of alprostadil is performed in the doctor’s office in order to determint the correct dose. Because MUSE can cause a drop in blood pressure, it is important that the patient’s blood pressure is monitored during the visit.
Usually, an erection occurs within 5 to 20 minutes after the pellet is inserted. The duration of erection may differ between patients.
The maximum number of pellets allowed in a 24-hour period day is two.
Common side effects of MUSE are mild pain in the penis, urethra, or testicles; unusual discharge from the penis; or flu-like symptoms. Sexual partners of men who use MUSE may experience burning, itching, or irritation in body areas that come into contact with the penis.
Erectile impotence is the most common complaint among men with MS, but other sexual issues can also be present. Although the causes of erectile difficulty are largely unknown, they could be pathological or psychological in origin.
Sexual arousal, response, and orgasm require communication between the brain and sexual organs via the spinal cord. When nerve damage is caused by MS, both men and women with the disease may experience sexual problems such as hypo-orgasmia or anorgasmia. For women, the problems can also include decreased vaginal secretion and reduced libido. For men, erectile, ejaculatory, or orgasmic dysfunction, and reduced libido can also occur.
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