Erectile Dysfunction (ED) is sexual dysfunction, characterized by repeated inability to develop or keep an erection of the penis strong enough for performing an intercourse. ED phenomenon is sometimes equated to the notion of impotence, thought there are several differences. Alongside with the presence of ED-typical manifestations such as inability to get an erection, impotence presupposes some other problems that impede sexual intercourse: ejaculation difficulties or insufficient sexual desire. Thus narrowing the term to “erectile dysfunction” presupposes that none of the problems characteristic of typical impotence is present.

Erectile dysfunction can manifest itself differently.

1. Total inability to develop erection of the penis;

2. Irregular (rare) ability to develop erection;

3. Tendency to keep up short-lived erection only.

Approximately 30% of all men aged between 40 and 70 experience erection function disorders to a greater or lesser extent, which can fall under the definition of erectile dysfunction.

ED can be provoked by two causative factors: physiological or psychological.

From physiological point of view, erection is the process of blood entering the penis under certain pressure and of blood retention in the genitals. There exist several factors that can intervene in this biological process and can hamper its natural passing.

Psychological erectile dysfunction usually has no underlying physiological disorders and deals with person’s state of mind, thoughts or feelings. As a rule this type of ED can be treated easily, without any surgical operation or serious medicaments treatment.

Normal erectile function is connected tightly to such society standards as masculinity and success, and the lack of normal penis functioning can lead to grave psychological consequences. Man considers himself not corresponding to the generally accepted image of “male”, he suffers from a powerful feeling of loss or shame. Many men even experience subjective inferiority in relation to the rest of healthy part of humanity, and for that reason they find it shameful to discuss the problem of ED.

There exist several observational points which enable specialists to determine the level of ED development and its origin.

During the night human mind is less controlled by surrounding reality and numerous stresses. So, when person has recurring and full erections during night sleep (so called nocturnal erections), it implies a strong influence of psychological factors on erectile function disorders in everyday life, and means no other physiological causes are to blame. However, that is not the brightest index because many healthy men don’t have nocturnal erection regularly.

When erection is not full (so called lazy erection) or penis loses its rigidness (in the process of sexual intercourse or even before penetration), it often presupposes some problems in the mechanism retaining blood in the penis. In this case cardiovascular disorders can be the reason of ED.

Men with diabetes mellitus or hypogonadism are also susceptible to erectile dysfunction.

Basic ED causes are:

1. Hormonal Disorders – insufficient amount of testosterone in the organism, tumor of pituitary gland;

2. Cavernosal Disorders, such as Peyronie’s disease;

3. Neurogenic Disorders - Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, injuries of brain and spinal cord and others;

4. Arterial Disorders – for example, insufficient blood-supply of the penis or hypertension;

5. Surgical operations on bladder, prostate or colon;

6. Psychological problems, panic, personality disorders;

7. Fatness, cigarette smoking, drug and alcohol abuse;

8. Ageing.

Modern medicine provides men with ED with wide spectrum of curative procedures and effective medicaments. Nowadays ED is curable, and it is necessary only to overcome shame and prejudices and address a specialist.

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