Vacuum pumps help treat erectile dysfunction in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients

Scientists at the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University in Guangzhou, China suggest that patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and erectile dysfunction may try a vacuum pump along with Viagra if th emedication is not sufficient. 

Enrolled in the trial were 66 diabetes mellitus patients with erectile dysfunction for at least six months who were not satisfied with 100 mg sildenafil monotherapy.  All patients were divided into two groups, with one receiving vacuum erection device only and the other treated with the combinational therapy with Viagra and a vacuum erectile device.  Patients' performance was assessed at baseline, 4 weeks and 12 weeks and the end of the trial.

Erectile function was improved in the group receiving the combinational therapy.  After one month of treatment, patients had better successful penetration, compared with controls (73% vs. 47%), and after three months of the combo treatment, patients had better successful intercourse (70% vs. 47%).

Sun L, Peng FL, Yu ZL, Liu CL, Chen J.  Combined sildenafil with vacuum erection device therapy in the management of diabetic men with erectile dysfunction after failure of first-line sildenafil monotherapy.  Int J Urol. 2014 Jul 14. (edited by David Liu, PHD)