Category: Health Advice

ICI Myth vs Fact

Can ICI turn you into a superhero in the bedroom? Yes and No. ICI is a fantastic treatment option for many men suffering from erectile dysfunction. It does what it is supposed to, but as effective as it is, it’s not a miracle cure.

We recently came across several websites claiming that ICI does all of this:

  • Improves erectile dysfunction (ED)
  • Increases firmness of erection
  • Improves sexual capabilities
  • Increases blood flow and circulation within the penis
  • Increases sexual stamina
  • Increases sensation and pleasure
  • Enhances appearance
  • Increases size
  • Increases girth up to 1 inch and
  • Increases length ¼ – 1 inch
  • Improves or resolves prostate discomfort
  • Improves or resolves urinary incontinence
  • No allergic reactions

Ethics aside, many of these claims are simply false. ICI self-injections will definitely help you deal with erectile dysfunction, will increase the firmness of your erection, and improve your overall sexual capability. The injections are not guaranteed to increase the size of your penis beyond what your body can do naturally with a healthy erection. And ICI will certainly do nothing for your prostate discomfort and urinary incontinence.

On the whole though, ICI can greatly improve your quality of life and help restore your sexual function. Also, worth knowing, the ICI is marketed under various names, such as the Priapus Shot and P-shot.

Our Erectile Dysfunction solutions:

ICI (Intra-Cavernosal Injections)

Urolift vs TURP

Got BPH? Here’s how it happened. The prostate surrounds the urethra. When the prostate becomes enlarged, which is typical as we age, it puts pressure on the urethra disrupting the urine flow and causing all the other symptoms related to BPH (you know the ones: frequent trips to the bathroom and nothing coming out, urgent need to pee, dribbling, infections, and so on).

Both Urolift and TURP are surgical procedures used to treat urinary problems caused by an enlarged prostate. There are some key differences between these two and we hope this comparison will help you decide which one is the right choice for you based on your lifestyle and priorities.

TURP Key Differences and Procedure

  • An older, invasive technology
  • Requires a general or spinal anesthetic
  • 2 in 3 patients will develop sexual dysfunction as a result, including erectile issues OR retrograde ejaculation (“dry orgasm”) *
  • Requires an overnight stay at the hospital
  • Longer bleeding time and clots more likely
  • More side-effects if you’re older
  • Treatment is free in Ontario for OHIP-eligible patients

During a TURP, the enlarged portion of the prostate is removed. A combined visual and surgical instrument (resectoscope) is inserted through the tip of your penis and into the urethra. This instrument is used to cut out the enlarged portion of your prostate.

Urolift Key Differences and Procedure

  • A minimally-invasive procedure
  • A recent innovation, thoroughly tested over the last 5 years
  • Preserves erectile and ejaculatory function
  • Is performed under light sedation or local anesthetic
  • An outpatient procedure with no downtime
  • Faster recovery with less bleeding and discomfort post-procedure
  • Treatment is fee-based; the costs may be covered by some private insurance plans and/or written off at tax time (consult your insurance provider and accountant for more info)

The Urolift approach is to open and contain the enlarged prostate, even if it continues to grow. Relief is achieved by placing tiny implants (like stitches) that hold the prostate in place and keep the urethra open. These implants are permanent. [Read more about Urolift]

Results

The results for TURP and Urolift are comparable, with 80 to 90% of men reporting an improvement in their BPH symptoms. The decision comes down to a few factors:

  • Whether you’re eligible for Urolift based on your condition, general health and age
  • Whether the preservation of erectile and ejaculatory function is a concern
  • Affordability
     
    * World J Urol. 2004 Dec;22(6):457-60. Epub 2004 Oct 16.
    * Asian J Androl. 2006 Jan;8(1):69-74.

Does Alcohol Cause Incontinence?

201605-alcohol-incontinence-link

Alcohol in itself doesn’t cause incontinence, unless you regularly consume large amounts. But even if you’re just an occasional drinker, alcohol still affects incontinence in these ways:

1) It stimulates a complex biochemical process that causes kidneys to produce more urine. As a result, you might feel like you have to pee more often when drinking.

2) Alcohol also dehydrates the body, which is one of the reasons we get hangovers. It helps to drink water to deal with the hangover, and naturally, when you drink more water, your bladder starts working overtime.

What to do?

If your symptoms are mild, you can simply cut down on the amount of alcohol you consume. Each person is different, with a unique personal and medical history, predispositions, and even the body size all of which can affect your “safe” dose. Listen to your body and how it reacts, regardless of the “recommended” guidelines.

If your symptoms are extreme, avoid drinking alcohol until the underlying condition is dealt with (explore the treatment options). Incontinence can be a lot more than a nuisance, so get it checked out.