Erectile dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction (ED) or impotence is a sexual dysfunction characterized by the inability to develop or maintain an erection of the penis for satisfactory sexual intercourse regardless of the capability of ejaculation. There are various underlying causes, such as diabetes, many of which are medically reversible. The causes of erectile dysfunction may be physiological or psychological. Psychological impotence can often be helped by almost anything that the patient believes in; there is a very strong placebo effect.
Due to its embarrassing nature and the shame felt by sufferers, the subject was taboo for a long time, and is the subject of many urban legends. Folk remedies have long been advocated, with some being advertised widely since the 1930s. The introduction of perhaps the first pharmacologically effective remedy for impotence, sildenafil (trade name Viagra), in the 1990s caused a wave of public attention, propelled in part by the news-worthiness of stories about it and heavy advertising.
The Latin term impotentia coeundi describes simple inability to insert the penis into the vagina. It is now mostly replaced by more precise terms.
Medical symptoms
Erectile dysfunction is characterized by the inability to maintain an erection. Normal erections during sleep and in the early morning suggest a psychogenic cause, while loss of these erections may signify underlying disease, often cardiovascular in origin. Other factors leading to erectile dysfunction are diabetes mellitus (causing neuropathy) or hypogonadism (decreased testosterone levels due to disease affecting the testicles or the pituitary gland).
Medical diagnosis
There are no formal tests to diagnose erectile dysfunction. Some blood tests are generally done to exclude underlying disease, such as diabetes, hypogonadism and prolactinoma. Impotence is also related to generally poor physical health, poor dietary habits, obesity, and most specifically cardiovascular disease such as coronary artery disease and peripheral vascular disease.
<b>sexual dysfunction</b> characterized by the inability to develop or maintain
an <b>erection of the penis</b> for satisfactory sexual intercourse regardless
of the capability of ejaculation. There are various underlying causes, such
as diabetes, many of which are medically reversible.
<p>The causes of erectile dysfunction may be physiological or psychological.
Psychological <b>impotence</b> can often be helped by almost anything
that the patient believes in; there is a very strong placebo effect.</p>
<p>Due to its embarrassing nature and the shame felt by sufferers, the subject
was taboo for a long time, and is the subject of many urban legends. Folk
remedies have long been advocated, with some being advertised widely since
the 1930s. The introduction of perhaps the first pharmacologically effective
remedy for impotence, sildenafil (trade name Viagra), in the 1990s caused
a wave of public attention, propelled in part by the news-worthiness of
stories about it and heavy advertising.</p>
<p>The Latin term <b>impotentia coeundi</b> describes simple inability to
insert the <b>penis</b> into the <b>vagina</b>. It is now mostly replaced
by more precise terms.</p>
<p><b>Medical symptoms</b></p>
<p>Erectile dysfunction is characterized by the inability to maintain an
erection. Normal erections during sleep and in the early morning suggest
a psychogenic cause, while loss of these erections may signify underlying
disease, often cardiovascular in origin. Other factors leading to erectile
dysfunction are diabetes mellitus (causing neuropathy) or hypogonadism
(decreased testosterone levels due to disease affecting the testicles
or the pituitary gland).</p>
<p><b>Medical diagnosis</b></p>
<p>There are no formal tests to diagnose erectile dysfunction. Some blood
tests are generally done to exclude underlying disease, such as diabetes,
hypogonadism and prolactinoma. Impotence is also related to generally
poor physical health, poor dietary habits, obesity, and most specifically
cardiovascular disease such as coronary artery disease and peripheral
vascular disease.</p>
