Skip to main content

Erectile dysfunction or Impotence

Erectile dysfunction ( ED), also known as impotence, is a form of sexual dysfunction characterized by the inability during sexual activity to produce or sustain a penile erection. ED can have psychological implications, as it can be related to problems in relationships and self-image.

For around 80 per cent of cases, a physical cause can be found. That include cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, neurological complications such as prostatectomy follow-up, hypogonadism and side effects of the drug. Psychological impotence is when, due to thoughts or emotions, erection or penetration fails; this is much less common, around 10 percent of cases. There is a good response to placebo-treatment in psychological impotence. The term erectile dysfunction does not refer to other erection conditions, such as priapism.

Treatment involves treating the root factors, changing the lifestyle and solving psychosocial issues. A trial of pharmacological therapy with an inhibitor of PDE5, such as sildenafil, can be attempted in several cases. Treatment may include, in some cases, inserting prostaglandin pellets into the urethra, injecting smooth muscle relaxants and vasodilators into the penis, a penile implant, a penis pump, or reconstructive vascular surgery. It is the most prevalent sexual problem in men.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Pathophysiology

Penile erection is controlled by two mechanisms: the reflex erection achieved by rubbing the penile shaft directly, and the psychogenic erection achieved by sexual or emotional stimulation. The former includes the peripheral nerves and the lower portions of the spinal cord, while the latter contains the brain's limbic network. In both cases a successful and complete erection requires an intact neural system. Stimulation of the penile shaft by the nervous system contributes to nitric oxide (NO) secretion, which induces relaxation of the smooth muscles of the corpora cavernosa (the penis' main erectile tissue), and consequently penile erection. Furthermore, the maintenance of a healthy erectile system requires sufficient amounts of testosterone (producted by the testes) and an intact pituitary gland. Impotence can develop due to hormonal dysfunction, neural system disorders, lack of sufficient supply of penile blood or psychological issues, as can be seen from the mechanisms of a...
Post a Comment
Read more

Symptoms

ED is defined by the frequent or persistent failure to obtain or sustain adequate rigidity erection to perform sexual activity. It is described as the "persistent or recurring inability to achieve and maintain sufficient rigidity in a penile erection to allow for satisfactory sexual activity for at least 3 months."  Psychological influence  Sometimes ED affects both men and their partners' emotional well-being. Many people do not seek treatment because they feel ashamed. Around 75% of diagnosed ED cases go untreated.
Post a Comment
Read more