Erectile dysfunction is the inability of a man to achieve or maintain an erection sufficient for his sexual needs or the needs of his partner. Most men will experience erectile dysfunction at some point in their lives, usually by age 40, and are not psychologically affected by it. Some men experience chronic, complete erectile dysfunction known as impotence, and others, partial or brief erections. Frequent erectile dysfunction can cause emotional and psychological problems.

Some of the causes of erectile dysfunction are, but not limited to: use of drugs such as alcohol, antidepressants, sedatives, cigarette smoking; blood flow problems such as diabetes, Peyronie's disease or hardening of the heart arteries, nerve impulse problems due to diabetes, strokes and diseases of the nervous system; surgery or trauma to the prostate, bladder or rectum; serious health problems which include severe liver, heart or lung disease; lack of hormones caused by kidney disease, liver disease, alcoholism or treatment of prostate cancer.

Symptoms:

The symptom of erectile dysfunction is the inability to achieve or maintain an erection.

Treatment:

There are many different types of treatment options for erectile dysfunction; the most common are medication, sex therapy, and surgical procedures.

• Oral Medications: use selective enzyme inhibitors that facilitate enzyme reduction and increase levels of cyclic guanosine momphospate (cGMP, a chemical factor in metabolism) which causes the smooth muscles of the penis to relax, enabling blood to flow in the corpora cavernosa.
• Common Oral Medications: Viagra®, Levitra®, Cialis®
• Self-Injection Medications: use a short needle to inject medication through the side of the penis directly into the corpus cavernosum, which produces an erection.
• Common Self-Injection Medications: Caverject®, Edex®, Regitine®
• Transurethral Therapy: uses a small applicator to deliver a soft, tiny, medicated pellet to the urethra which causes the blood vessels to relax.
• Sex Therapy: uses a qualified therapist to assist in reducing tension, improving sexual communication and treating self-esteem problems.
• Vacuum Erection Therapy: uses a hand-operated or battery-operated pump to create a vacuum that draws blood into the penis, causing an erection.
• Venous Flow Constriction Therapy: uses a band that is placed around the base of the penis which traps blood in penis during an erection.
• Prosthesis Surgery: uses an artificial device implanted in the penis to achieve an erection.
• There are three types of implants: malleable, self-contained inflatable and fully inflatable.
• Brochure: AMS Penile Prosthesis, Viagra, Cialis

Please visit our Center for Sexual Health website to learn more on treatments for Erectile Dysfunction (ED).