What is the best cream for erectile dysfunction?

When most people think of erectile dysfunction treatment, tablets like Viagra often spring to mind. But not everyone wants to take oral medications. Some men aren’t comfortable taking tablets, whereas others might find ED pills to be ineffective or cause bad side effects.

If you want to explore alternatives to Viagra, erectile dysfunction cream or gel is worth considering. This article explains how erectile dysfunction cream works and whether it could be a good option for you. We’ll also compare the only two creams for erectile dysfunction available in the UK:

Vitaros cream, a prescription-only option, and Eroxon Stimgel, which you can buy over the counter.

What is erectile dysfunction cream?

Erectile dysfunction cream, also called erectile cream or impotence cream, is a topical treatment for ED. These products are applied directly to the penis to help improve erections, providing an alternative to traditional ED tablets. They are ideal for men who:

• Don’t respond to ED tablets like Sildenafil or Tadalafil.
• Can’t take oral ED treatment due to other medical conditions or medications.
• Experience side effects on Viagra, Cialis, and other ED pills.
• Prefer a non-oral option for personal reasons.

Only two creams or gels for ED are available in the UK: Vitaros Cream and Eroxon Stimgel.

What is Vitaros cream?

Vitaros cream is a topical medication designed to treat erectile dysfunction by improving blood flow to the penis. It contains two ingredients:

• Alprostadil: The active ingredient, a drug called alprostadil, is a vasodilator that relaxes blood vessels and improves blood flow (1).
• DDAIP: Vitaros cream contains a carrier called DDAIP, which helps the active drug pass through the tip of the penis effectively so that it can exert its action.

How does Vitaros penis cream work?

Vitaros is applied directly into the opening on the tip of the penis using a single-dose plunger 5 to 30 minutes before sex (2). The cream is absorbed through the skin, bypassing the digestive system and acting directly on the blood vessels in the penis. This causes the blood vessels here to relax, increasing the penile blood supply and helping men achieve an erection.

The drug doesn’t need to pass through the digestive tract, so it starts working within as little as 5 minutes. This is far quicker than ED tablets like Sildenafil, which takes up to 60 minutes to take effect (3). This allows you to be more spontaneous with your partner, and the effects last up to 2 hours (4).

Is Vitaros erectile dysfunction cream effective?

Yes, Vitaros cream is an effective erectile dysfunction treatment (5). In clinical trials, up to 83% of men with severe ED were able to get and maintain stronger erections compared to just 25% of men using a placebo cream (6). This means there is a high chance the topical treatment will work for you.

To make the medication as effective as possible, make sure you:

• Hold the penis upright for around 30 seconds after application to aid absorption.
• Push in any cream on the tip of the penis into the opening and rub in any excess.
• Avoid urinating after applying the cream, as this can cause you to lose some of the drug.

What are the side effects of Vitaros cream?

Because of its localised action on the penis, alprostadil cream has far fewer side effects than ED pills. In clinical trials, only 3 in 100 men experienced systemic (whole body) side effects (6). If you don’t want to take Viagra because you’re experiencing side effects, this makes Vitaros a great alternative.

However, as with all medications, there are some side effects to be aware of. These are mostly mild and include tingling, throbbing, irritation, and redness at the application site. You can usually avoid these side effects by properly applying the erectile cream inside the opening of the penis and gently pushing any remaining on the tip into the urethra.  

What are the pros and cons of Vitaros cream?

Vitaros erectile cream has several benefits:

• It’s effective in more than 80% of men with erectile dysfunction (6).
• Works within 5 minutes of application, allowing for more spontaneous sex.
• Has fewer side effects than ED pills and tablets like Viagra.
• Has no known drug interactions, so can be used alongside other medications.

With that said, there are some drawbacks to consider:

• Cost of the drug: Vitaros penis cream is more expensive than ED tablets, especially non-branded products like generic Sildenafil and Tadalafil. Depending on your budget, this may make it less accessible than other medications.
• Prescription required: In the UK, Vitaros cream is only available with a prescription, whereas you can buy some ED tablets over the counter, like Viagra Connect and Cialis Together. Thankfully, online doctor services make this less of a drawback—complete a health questionnaire and a doctor can review your responses and issue a prescription remotely.

What is Eroxon Stimgel cream?

Eroxon Stimgel is another topical erectile gel that is applied directly to the penis (7). Unlike Vitaros, Eroxon doesn’t contain an active drug but instead works by creating a cooling effect on the penis. Without any active ingredients, it is approved for sale over the counter without a prescription.

How does Eroxon gel work?

Eroxon is applied directly to the head of the penis and massaged in for around 15 seconds using your fingers. You could alternatively get your partner to massage the erectile gel in for you. The cream evaporates shortly after application, creating a cooling sensation. This stimulates blood flow to the penis and helps you achieve and maintain an erection.

Most men find they have an erection within 10 minutes after application, so you can apply Eroxon Stimgel immediately before you want to have sex (8). The effects don’t typically last as long as prescription creams like Vitaros but should help you maintain an erection throughout intercourse.

Is Exoron erection gel effective?

Exoron erection gel is an effective treatment for ED, proven to work for around 63% of men who use it (8). Therefore, you’re likely to see some improvements in erectile strength. However, prescription-only erectile dysfunction creams like Vitaros or pills like sildenafil are generally more effective.

For best results using Exoron gel, make sure you:

• Apply the cream shortly before sex to make your erection last the duration of intercourse.
• Massage the cream into the head of the penis for at least 15 seconds.
• If uncircumcised, pull back your foreskin to apply the cream directly to the head of the penis.

What are the pros and cons of Eroxon gel?

• As Eroxon doesn’t contain an active drugs, it carries many benefits like:
• Not requiring a prescription, making it more accessible than other ED treatments.
• Not interacting with other medications as it is drug-free.
• Providing a natural ED treatment for men who don’t like the idea of taking a drug.
• Having almost no side effects, only mild skin interactions in some men.

Eroxon Stimgel is also faster-acting than ED pills and tablets, allowing for spontaneous sex—but it does have some drawbacks:

• Lower success rate: The main disadvantage of Eroxon erection gel is that it only works in 63% of men with erectile dysfunction. While most men will see results, there is still a relatively high chance it won’t help you get stronger erections.
• Temporary effect: Eroxon Stimgel only lasts for around one hour. While this is usually long enough for one round of sexual activity, it will mean you need to reapply the gel every time you want to have sex. In comparison, ED tablets like Cialis (also known as “the weekend pill”) can last for up to 36 hours (9).

Vitaros vs Eroxon: Which is the best cream for you?

Choosing the best treatment for erectile dysfunction involves weighing up several key factors. For help deciding between Vitaros and Exoron, here is a summary of each ED cream:

Take control of your sexual health

If you’re ready to try Vitaros cream or Eroxon Stimgel, you can find both at Oxford Online Pharmacy. We offer online solutions that bypass awkward conversations with your doctor or pharmacist and provide discreet, convenient delivery to your front door.

Whether you choose Vitaros for its proven effectiveness or Eroxon for its accessibility and simplicity, you can find both on our website. Explore your options today and take the first step toward a more fulfilling sex life, or view our full range of ED treatment options here.

Citations

1. Jain A, Iqbal OA. Alprostadil [Internet]. PubMed. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2020.‌
2. Vitaros.eu. 2024 [cited 2024 Nov 25].
3. NHS. About Sildenafil (Viagra) [Internet]. nhs.uk. 2022.
4. Becher E. Topical alprostadil cream for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. Expert opinion on pharmacotherapy [Internet]. 2004 Mar;5(3):623–32.
5. Steidle C, Padma-Nathan H, Salem S, Tayse N, Thwing D, Fendl J, et al. Topical alprostadil cream for the treatment of erectile dysfunction: a combined analysis of the phase II program. Urology. 2002 Dec;60(6):1077–82.
6. Cuzin B. Alprostadil cream in the treatment of erectile dysfunction: clinical evidence and experience. Therapeutic Advances in Urology. 2016 May 3;8(4):249–56.‌
7. Eroxon® Stimgel – A clinically proven treatment for erectile dysfunction available without prescription in the UK and EU [Internet]. Eroxon. 2019 [cited 2024 Nov 25].
8. Eroxon® [Internet]. Eroxon. 2024.
9. Young JM. Tadalafil Improved Erectile Function at Twenty-Four and Thirty-Six Hours After Dosing in Men With Erectile Dysfunction: US Trial. Journal of Andrology. 2005 May 1;26(3):310–8.‌