The dependence of normal erectile and ejaculatory function on intact neural pathways to and from the brain has already been mentioned. Not surprisingly a considerable number of neurological disorders may result in…

Priapism may be defined as an involuntary erection that lasts for more than 4–6 h. The condition may be spontaneous or secondary to intracavernous pharmacotherapy. Spontaneous priapism may be idiopathic or associated…

Psychological causes were once widely assumed to be the predominant cause of erectile dysfunction. However, if the correct definition of erectile dysfunction is applied, namely, the persistent loss of penile rigidity in…

Ever since the ground-breaking work of Kinsey, the prevalence of erectile dysfunction has been a subject of debate. Although it is certain that many millions of men are affected by the condition, there…

The proper goal-oriented evaluation of a man proactive and complaining of erectile dysfunction requires a sympathetically elicited history, a focused physical examination and various carefully selected special investigations.

Erectile dysfunction (ED) has been defined as the persistent inability to achieve and/or to maintain an erection for a satisfactory sexual intercourse. This event can occur occasionally without inducing psychological…

Blood and urine testing
A key condition to exclude is undiagnosed diabetes mellitus. This is best accomplished by random measurement of blood sugar, as dipstick testing of urine to…

When you get an erection, arteries bring blood to the spongy tissue in your penis. The blood fills this tissue and makes your penis hard.

Failure to get an erection that is…

Most men will experience erectile dysfunction (ED) at some point in their lives.

Common causes of an occasional inability to get (and maintain) a good, hard erection include, anxiety, tiredness, stress,…

Erectile dysfunction and heart disease share many of the same risk factors and erectile dysfunction is estimated to co-exist with heart disease in 40% of cases.

Heart disease is one of the…

Although it is believed that certain medications can cause sexual function issues such as erectile dysfunction, it is very difficult to determine whether a specific medication is the cause of erection problems.

The…

The process of an erection involves the nervous system. For this reason, nerve disorders can lead to erection problems and, ultimately, erectile dysfunction (impotence).

Common nerve disorders which can cause erectile dysfunction…

As with erectile dysfunction (ED) in general, when it occurs in association with cancer or other serious illnesses there is usually a mixture of physical and psychological causes.

The two types of…

t’s been alluded to on television emergency-room dramas, laughed at in the movies and cited as a warning for those taking popular medications. But it is unlikely that you have ever heard the real medical…

Since an erection requires a precise sequence of events, (ED) can occur when any of the events is disrupted. The sequence includes nerve impulses in the brain, spinal column, and area around…

Men with high blood pressure have a new reason to get their condition under control - they may be at risk for erectile dysfunction, medical experts announced today at the American…

Hypertension (high blood pressure)

People with high blood pressure are more likely than average to develop atherosclerosis (or arteriosclerosis), which is commonly known as ‘hardening of the arteries’. Atherosclerosis causes arteries throughout…

Recreational drugs are a major cause of erection problems and the number one problem drug is tobacco. Experiments show that even two cigarettes will markedly decrease the blood flow to the penis if…

The Effects of Disease States and Drugs on Erections

  Cardiovascular Disease is the most common cause of ED and is due to endothelial dysfunction. Studies have demonstrated that two million people have…

Intracavernosal smooth muscle tone is by far the most important determinant of intracavernosal blood flow. Approximately half of the cavernosal volume is composed of smooth muscle, with the remainder consisting of either lacunar spaces…

Penile prostheses are divided into 3 general types: malleable (semirigid), mechanical, and inflatable devices. The malleable devices are made of silicone rubber and several models contain a central intertwined metallic core. The mechanical device is…

Bilateral sympathectomy at the L2 level has resulted in ejaculatory dysfunction in about 40% of patients. High bilateral retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy causes an even higher percentage of emission failures. Retrograde ejaculation is…