An intracavernous (or intracavernosal) injection is an injection into the base of the

penis A penis (; : penises or penes) is a sex organ through which male and hermaphrodite animals expel semen during copulation (zoology), copulation, and through which male placental mammals and marsupials also Urination, urinate. The term ''pen ...

. This injection site is often used to administer medications to check for or treat

erectile dysfunction Erectile dysfunction (ED), also referred to as impotence, is a form of sexual dysfunction in males characterized by the persistent or recurring inability to achieve or maintain a Human penis, penile erection with sufficient rigidity and durat ...

in adult men (in, for example, a combined intracavernous injection and stimulation test). The more common medications administered in this manner include Caverject, Trimix ( prostaglandin, papaverine, and phentolamine), Bimix (papaverine and phentolamine), and Quadmix (prostaglandin, papaverine, phentolamine, and either

atropine Atropine is a tropane alkaloid and anticholinergic medication used to treat certain types of nerve agent and pesticide poisonings as well as some types of slow heart rate, and to decrease saliva production during surgery. It is typically give ...

or forskolin). These medications are all types of vasodilators and cause tumescence within 15 minutes. Common side effects include priapism, bruising, fibrosis, Peyronie's disease, and pain. Priapism is also often treated with intracavernous injections, usually with sympathomimetic vasoconstricting drugs like

adrenaline Adrenaline, also known as epinephrine, is a hormone and medication which is involved in regulating visceral functions (e.g., respiration). It appears as a white microcrystalline granule. Adrenaline is normally produced by the adrenal glands a ...

or phenylephrine.

References

Male genital procedures Routes of administration Dosage forms {{treatment-stub