Male Sexual Dysfunction

Key points
- Male sexual dysfunction, denoting the inability to achieve a satisfactory sexual relationship, may involve inadequacy of erection or problems with emission, ejaculation, or orgasm.
- Erectile dysfunction (impotence) is the inability to obtain or maintain penile erection (or both) sufficient for satisfactory sexual performance (NIH Consensus Panel on Impotence, 1993).
- Premature (rapid) ejaculation refers to persistent or recurrent occurrence of ejaculation with minimal sexual stimulation before, on, or shortly after penetration and before the person wishes it.
- Retarded ejaculation is undue delay in reaching a climax during sexual activity.
Male sexual dysfunction, denoting the inability to achieve a satisfactory sexual relationship, may involve inadequacy of erection or problems with emission, ejaculation, or orgasm.
Erectile dysfunction (impotence) is the inability to obtain or maintain penile erection (or both) sufficient for satisfactory sexual performance (NIH Consensus Panel on Impotence, 1993).
Premature (rapid) ejaculation refers to persistent or recurrent occurrence of ejaculation with minimal sexual stimulation before, on, or shortly after penetration and before the person wishes it.
Retarded ejaculation is undue delay in reaching a climax during sexual activity.
Retrograde ejaculation denotes backflow of semen into the bladder during ejaculation owing to an incompetent bladder neck mechanism.
Anorgasmia is the inability to achieve an orgasm during conscious sexual activity, although nocturnal emission may occur.
Written and revised by
Gerald Hurowitz, M.D.
Our doctors write and review articles for accuracy and keep them up to date.
health.am provides general information, not medical advice. Always consult a qualified health professional about your own health.
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