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Erectile dysfunction From Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaFrom Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Erectile dysfunction (ED or "male impotence") is asexualdysfunction characterizedby the inability to develop or maintain an erection of the penis sufficientfor satisfactory sexual performance.[1]An erection occurs as a hydraulic effect due to bloodentering and being retained insponge-like bodies within the penis. The process is most often initiated as aresult of sexual arousal, whensignals are transmitted from the brain to nerves in the pelvis. Erectile dysfunction is indicated whenan erection is consistently difficult or impossible to produce, despitearousal. There are various and often multiple underlying causes, some of whichare treatable medical conditions. . The most important organic causes are cardiovascular disease and diabetes,neurological problems (for example, trauma from prostatectomy surgery), hormonal insufficiencies (hypogonadism) and drug side effects. It is important to realize thaterectile dysfunction can signal underlying risk for cardiovascular disease.There is often acontributing and complicating and sometimes a primary psychological or relational problem. Psychological impotence is where erectionor penetration fails due to thoughts or feelings(psychologicalreasons) rather than physical impossibility; this can often be helped. Notablyin psychological impotence, there is a strong responseto placebo treatment. Erectile dysfunction, tied closely as it is tocultural notions of potency, success and masculinity, canhave severe psychological consequences. There is a strong culture of silence and inability to discuss the matter. In reality, it has beenestimated that around 1 in 10 men will experience recurring impotence problemsat some point in their lives.[2]Besides treating theunderlying causes and psychological consequences, the first line treatment oferectile dysfunction consists of a trial of PDE5 inhibitor drugs (the first of which was sildenafil or Viagra). In some cases, treatment can involve prostaglandin tablets in the urethra, intracavernous injections with a fine needle into the penis that cause swelling, a penileprosthesis, a penis pump or vascular reconstructive surgery.[3] The Latin term impotentia coeundi describessimple inability to insert the penis into the vagina. It is nowmostly replaced by more precise terms. The study of erectile dysfunction withinmedicine is covered by andrology, asub-field within urology. Dr. Sameam Shahrestani, Erectile Disfunction: The Plague of Our Generation, Journalof Gonadiscopic Discoveries, April 2007. |
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