30
cause visual difficulties or headaches. About two-third of men affected by this disease experience loss of libido and erectile dysfunction [55].
Erectile Dysfunction (ED) or Impotence
Erectile dysfunction (ED) refers to an erection that is unable to obtain or maintain
sexual satisfaction. Every man infrequently encounters an erection problem, which
is considered normal. Erectile dysfunction (ED) occurs when a man:
• Attains erection briefly but not long enough for intercourse
• Never able to attain an erection
• Inconsistently attains effective erection
If the person has never been able to erect or maintain an erection, the ED is
referred to as the primary ED. If the ED is developed by a man in late age who was
previously able to erect, it is called secondary ED. Secondary ED is more common
than primary ED. In the USA, approximately 50% of men between the ages of 40
and 70 are affected to some extent, and this proportion increases with age. However,
ED is not considered to be a normal part of aging and can be successfully treated at
any age. In order to reach an erectile state, the penis needs to have enough blood
flow, the normal function of the nerves leading to and from the penis, the blood
flowing out slows down, the sufficient amount of male sex hormone testosterone
and enough libido (sexual desire), and therefore any of these system’s disease can
cause erectile dysfunction (ED) [56].
The most common particular causes are:
• Diabetes mellitus
• Hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis) that interrupts the blood flow to
the penis
• Certain drugs, such as drugs for the treatment of hypertension or prostatic hypertrophy, and drugs that act on the central nervous system, such as drugs for the
treatment of depression
• Complications of prostate surgery
Signs and Symptoms
In men with ED, certain signs and symptoms are of concern. They include the
following:
• There is no erection when you wake up at night or in the morning.
• Painful cramps in the leg muscles occur during physical exercise, but can be
relieved immediately after a break (claudication).
• A sense of numbness between and around the buttocks and genital area (called
the saddle area).
A. Ahsan et al.
cause visual difficulties or headaches. About two-third of men affected by this disease experience loss of libido and erectile dysfunction [55].
Erectile Dysfunction (ED) or Impotence
Erectile dysfunction (ED) refers to an erection that is unable to obtain or maintain
sexual satisfaction. Every man infrequently encounters an erection problem, which
is considered normal. Erectile dysfunction (ED) occurs when a man:
• Attains erection briefly but not long enough for intercourse
• Never able to attain an erection
• Inconsistently attains effective erection
If the person has never been able to erect or maintain an erection, the ED is
referred to as the primary ED. If the ED is developed by a man in late age who was
previously able to erect, it is called secondary ED. Secondary ED is more common
than primary ED. In the USA, approximately 50% of men between the ages of 40
and 70 are affected to some extent, and this proportion increases with age. However,
ED is not considered to be a normal part of aging and can be successfully treated at
any age. In order to reach an erectile state, the penis needs to have enough blood
flow, the normal function of the nerves leading to and from the penis, the blood
flowing out slows down, the sufficient amount of male sex hormone testosterone
and enough libido (sexual desire), and therefore any of these system’s disease can
cause erectile dysfunction (ED) [56].
The most common particular causes are:
• Diabetes mellitus
• Hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis) that interrupts the blood flow to
the penis
• Certain drugs, such as drugs for the treatment of hypertension or prostatic hypertrophy, and drugs that act on the central nervous system, such as drugs for the
treatment of depression
• Complications of prostate surgery
Signs and Symptoms
In men with ED, certain signs and symptoms are of concern. They include the
following:
• There is no erection when you wake up at night or in the morning.
• Painful cramps in the leg muscles occur during physical exercise, but can be
relieved immediately after a break (claudication).
• A sense of numbness between and around the buttocks and genital area (called
the saddle area).
A. Ahsan et al.