What are HA Fillers?
Hyaluronic Acid (HA) is a member of glycosaminoglycans family and is present in the extracellular matrix of dermis, epidermis, and stratum corneum. The physiological role of HA involves expansion of the extracellular matrix. This role is facilitated by the macromolecular nature of HA and its high capacity of water-binding. The native HA molecule has a short half-life in skin (~12 h), but its longevity can be expanded to several months by cross-linkage of HA molecules.
HA Fillers are composed of cross linked Hyaluronic Acid.
How do HA Fillers work to treat Premature Ejaculation?
Glans penis augmentation with HA fillers that have the ability to absorb water to form highly viscous hydrated polymers which is speculated to act as a barrier between sensory nerves in glans penis and external stimuli of touch. Because of the barrier created, the man feels the sensation of touch less than usual. The same principle is applied behind the use of commercially available sprays which numb the penis to an extent to delay the ejaculation. But with sprays there is always a possibility to numb the penis to an extent where it doesn’t feel any sensations and fails to get erect. Whereas with the use of HA Fillers, there has not been any reported case of complete glans numbness resulting in erectile dysfunction.
Are there any clinical studies supporting the use of HA Fillers for Premature Ejaculation?
Yes there are studies which have reported the use of HA Fillers for PE. All the studies concluded that HA Fillers are safe and effective in the treatment of PE. Some of the studies are as below:
- Amr Alahwany, Mohamed W. Ragab, Ahmed Zaghloul, Hamed Abdallah & Taymour Mostafa. Hyaluronic acid injection in glans penis for treatment of premature ejaculation: a randomized controlled cross-over study. Int J Impot Res.2019;31:348-55
- Kim JJ, Kwak TI, Jeon BG, Cheon J, Moon DG. Effects of glans penis augmentation using hyaluronic acid gel for premature ejaculation. Int J Impot Res. 2004;16:547–51.
- Abdallah H, Abdelnasser T, Hosny H, Selim O, Al-Ahwany A, Shamloul R. Treatment of premature ejaculation by glans penis augmentation using hyaluronic acid gel: a pilot study. Andrologia. 2012;44(Suppl 1):650–3.
- Littara A, Palmieri B, Rottigni V, Iannitti T. A clinical study to assess the effectiveness of a hyaluronic acid-based procedure for treatment of premature ejaculation. Int J Impot Res. 2013;25:117–20.
- Moon DG, Kwak TI. Glans penis augmentation by filler. In: Park NC, Kim SW, Moon DG, editors. Penile augmentation. Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer Berlin Heidelberg; 2016. p. 175–83. pp
- Moon DG, Kwak TI, Cho HY, Bae JH, Park HS, Kim JJ. Augmentation of glans penis using injectable hyaluronic acid gel. Int J Impot Res. 2003;15:456–60.
- Kwak TI, Jin MH, Kim JJ, Moon DG. Long-term effects of glans penis augmentation using injectable hyaluronic acid gel for premature ejaculation. Int J Impot Res. 2008;20:425–8.
How much time can be increased after undergoing PE treatment with HA Fillers?
The increase in time can vary in person to person but usually it is between 2-5 minutes as per clinical research studies. In some person it can be more and in some others it can be less as well.
Are HA Fillers safe to use? Do they have any side effects?
HA Fillers are used in many parts of the body like lips, nose, face, breasts, buttocks etc. for improving their appearance. In all the reported clinical studies, no major side effects were observed in the patients undergoing HA Fillers for glans augmentation.
HA Fillers are considered relatively safer than other materials used for glans augmentation.
Is the procedure painful? What type of anesthesia is used?
A 10 % lignocaine spray is used to numb the skin over the penis including the glans. A penile block is then given to ensure complete anesthesia of the penis. Local anesthesia is used for the procedure.
Can the patient go home the same day?
Yes, patients can go home the same day and resume all their activities. The procedure itself takes less than an hour.
How much time it takes to get the desired results?
Results vary from person to person but usually results start appearing at the end of the 1st month and keep on increasing for the next 3-6 months.
What are the other methods of treating premature ejaculation?
PE can be treated with the use of medicines which belong mainly to the category of Anti- Depressants. These medicines can improve the time from between 2-8 minutes. Each medicine has its own side effects and so it is important to speak to your doctor which medicine will suit you.
PE can also be treated by psychosexual therapy, behavioral therapy and in many cases by a surgery.
All types of treatments for PE are available at Institute of Andrology and Sexual Health (IASH).
In all glans penis injection with HA is a safe method that ensures a modest long-term significant increases in ejaculation time, improves ejaculatory control and improve couple satisfaction over their sexual intercourse.
IASH is equipped with all the required expertise and amenities to treat Premature Ejaculation safely and effectively.
Dr Chirag Bhandari would love to answer all your questions and doubts on premature ejaculation and its various treatment options.
To book an online appointment with Dr Chirag Bhandari click here.