Erectile dysfunction

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Erectile dysfunction
Synonyms	Impotence
Pronounce	N/A
Specialty	N/A
Symptoms	Trouble getting or keeping an erection
Complications	Stress, relationship problems, low self-esteem
Onset	Gradual or sudden
Duration	Can be short-term or long-term
Types	N/A
Causes	Cardiovascular disease, diabetes, neurological problems, hormonal insufficiencies, drug side effects
Risks	Ageing, smoking, obesity, sedentary lifestyle
Diagnosis	Medical history, physical examination, blood tests, urinalysis, ultrasound
Differential diagnosis	Hypogonadism, depression, anxiety disorder
Prevention	N/A
Treatment	Lifestyle changes, phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors, hormone therapy, vacuum erection devices, penile implants
Medication	Sildenafil, tadalafil, vardenafil, avanafil
Prognosis	N/A
Frequency	Common, especially in older men
Deaths	Not directly fatal

Erectile dysfunction (ED), also known as impotence, is a type of sexual dysfunction characterized by the inability to develop or maintain an erection of the penis during sexual activity.

Causes

ED can have psychological consequences as it can be tied to relationship difficulties and self-image. A physical cause can be identified in about 80% of cases. These include cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, neurological problems such as following prostatectomy, hypogonadism, and drug side effects.

Diagnosis

Psychological impotence is where erection or penetration fails due to thoughts or feelings; this is somewhat less frequent, on the order of about 10% of cases. In psychological impotence, there is a strong response to placebo treatment.

Treatment

Besides treating the underlying causes such as potassium deficiency or arsenic contamination of drinking water, the first line treatment of erectile dysfunction consists of a trial of PDE5 inhibitor (such as sildenafil). In some cases, treatment can involve prostaglandin tablets in the urethra, injections into the penis, a penile prosthesis, a penis pump or vascular reconstructive surgery.

See also

• Sexual dysfunction
• Penis
• Erection
• PDE5 inhibitor
• Prostatectomy

External links

• Erectile dysfunction at WikiMD

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