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Erectile dysfunction, as known as impotence, is a sexual disorder referring to the inability to get and/or maintain a firm erection for sexual activity. It can be an underlying result of other diseases, medications or aging. Erectile dysfunction is not rare among Hong Kong males and often leads to poor self-image and sex life, one should not be afraid of such health issue and should learn more about it as early as possible in order to prevent erectile dysfunction.
Erectile dysfunction, or impotence, is defined as being unable to achieve or keep an erection firm enough for sexual intercourse. Erection, a process in which the penis becomes engorged, enlarged and firm, is mediated by the release of nitric oxide in the body upon sexual arousal. When the amount of nitric oxide rises in trabecular arteries and penile smooth muscles, internal pudendal arteries and other penile blood vessels dilate to increase blood flow of the corpora cavernosa of the penis, allowing the penis to erect and enlarge. Failure of such vasodilation, blood flow promotion or any of the above mechanisms would lead to the inability to erect fully, resulting in erectile dysfunction.
Erectile dysfunction is mainly caused by the inability to dilate blood vessels of the penis. The following causes may contribute to such lack of penile vasodilation:
The below factors may induce a higher risk of erectile dysfunction, including:
Regarding erectile dysfunction, its signs and symptoms are relatively obvious. The signs and symptoms are usually persistent which include:
If erectile dysfunction is left untreated, the most significant complication is infertility. Therefore, for those who plan to reproduce offsprings, medical help should be sought as soon as possible.
Erectile dysfunction can be simply diagnosed based on the absence of erection. However, the underlying causes should be further investigated, including distinguishing physiological and psychological origins, and excluding any concomitant diseases. The following tests and examinations can help to look into the problem:
Erectile dysfunction does not have to be treated with medications albeit being a common problem. Usually, the erectile dysfunction can be treated through the following approaches, depending on the severity and underlying causes:
For erectile dysfunction, also known as impotence, the most effective treatment is penile implant but it is reserved for the most severe cases. For most cases, oral phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors like sildenafil (Viagra) are therapeutically enough.
Fruits rich in potassium like papaya, cantaloupe and banana can be natural Viagra as they can relax the muscle in blood vessels and improve penile blood flow, allowing the penis to erect. Watermelon is also useful in improving erection dysfunction due to the presence of citrulline, which dilates blood vessels as well.
Yes, erectile dysfunction can be cured. However, depending on the underlying causes, erectile dysfunction caused by some irreversible disease may not be curable. However, risk factors like cigarette smoking and obesity can be modified to improve erectile function.
This article was medically reviewed by Dr. Vera Chung 鍾楊醫生. Dr. Chung is a female urologist practicing at the Hong Kong Urology Clinic. She qualified in 2003 from the University of Hong Kong and was trained as a urologist in Queen Elizabeth Hospital and obtained the Fellowship of Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh in 2011. Dr. Chung was promoted to associate consultant in Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital in 2012. From 2013 to 2015 she has completed a two-year European Board of Urology (EBU) Fellowship in endourology and laparoscopy at Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Oxford. In Oxford, Dr. Chung also consolidated her training in the management of continence and prolapse problems in the Department of Gynecology.
This article was independently written by Healthy Matters. It is informative only and not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be relied upon for specific medical advice.
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