MALE SEXUAL HEALTH

How does the penis get an erection?

Penile erection is initiated with sexual excitement either through tactile or mental stimulation. The sexual stimulation generates electrical impulses in the brain and sends it to the nerves going to the penile section. (Refer to the image below) The nerve then releases nitric oxide that increases the production of cyclic GMP in muscle cells corpora cavernosa simultaneously. The smooth muscles of corpora cavernosa get relaxed by cGMP and it allows fast blood in-flow to the penis. As a result the penis is engorged with blood and becomes rigid and strong for penetrative sex.

How is a penile erection sustained?

Penile erection is sustained by holding back and trapping the blood in the penis. The enlarged penis compresses the blood vessels that drain the blood out of penis to the tunica albuginea. But when an enzyme called phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) becomes active, the cGMP level falls, followed by corpora cavernosa muscle contraction. As a result the blood in-flow is stopped and the veins drain the blood out of the penis and the erection goes away.

What is impotence or erectile dysfunction?

The inability to attain and maintain a penile erection required for a successful penetrative sexual intercourse is called erectile dysfunction. The level of erectile dysfunction may differ from an individual to the other as erectile dysfunction can be mild, moderate or severe.

Erectile dysfunction is not related to low sexual drive or problems with ejaculation. Erectile dysfunction is not a disease; it is a sexual condition with one or more serious physical or mental factors behind its cause.

What are the causes of erectile dysfunction?

Ageing, hypertension or high blood pressure, diabetes mellitus, substance abuse, low testosterone levels, cigarette smoking, nerve or spinal cord damage, cardiovascular diseases, medications and depression and anxiety are the main physical and psychological causes of erectile dysfunction.

These diseases and conditions can disrupt the normal functioning of the following body systems and organs that are responsible for a normal erection:

1. Nervous system
2. Overall arteries, more importantly arteries in corpora cavernosa area
3. corpora cavernosa area muscles & tissues and
4. Nitric oxide level in penis.

What are the degrees of Erectile Dysfunction?

The level of erectile dysfunction is different in different people. Healthcare professionals generally refer to the following degrees of erectile dysfunction: No Erectile Dysfunction , Mild Erectile Dysfunction, Moderate Erectile Dysfunction and Severe Erectile Dysfunction .

What are available treatments of Erectile Dysfunction?

With the introduction of PHE inhibitors, recently men have expressed their wish to get a treatment of ED very openly. Here is the list of Erectile Dysfunction treatments available at present:

1. Apomorphine: This is a tablet to increase the sexual drive in men; it is a prescription drug that dissolves under the tongue.



2. PDE5 Inhibitors : This is a class of prescription drugs that is most popular among men, as it gives them an ability to attain an erection in a natural way when they are sexually stimulated.



3. Psychotherapy : The psychiatrists address the issues related to relationship and mutual understanding between the couple. Depression and anxiety are two important causes of erectile failure that should not be ignored.



4. Penile Injection Therapy : As the name suggests, it is a solution that has to be injected to the penis to get an erection. This is a painful process that may result in painful and prolonged erection along with damages to the penile tissue.



5. Urethral Insertion Tablets: People who do not prefer injections into the penis go for tablet insertion. The mechanism is almost the same as penile injection Therapy, but it is not recommended to men with pregnant partners or prospective mothers.



6. Vacuum Device: A vacuum tube is placed around the base of the penis to help maintain the erection. But it should not be continued for more than 30 minutes as the penis might undergo pain and become cold.



7. Surgical Implant: In this process the penis is implanted with silicone cylinders which can be inflated to help an erection. Most of the times these implants are satisfactory to the couples. But there are risks of getting an infection during and after the surgery.

Can erectile dysfunction be cured?

ED can be treated and controlled effectively, but not exactly cured to the root. New prescription drugs like Levitra are available now to make the victim of ED answer naturally to sexual excitement.