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The common risk factors for ED include the following: Advanced age Cardiovascular disease Hypertension Diabetes mellitus High cholesterol Cigarette smoking Recreational drug use Depression or other psychiatric disorders Pelvic surgery, including radical prostatectomy and colorectal surgery Pelvic radiation, such as for prostate cancer and some colorectal cancers Trauma to the pelvis (pelvic fracture), penis (penile fracture), and perineum. Signs and symptoms of erectile dysfunction addyi purchase may include the following: Penile erection occurs, but the penis does not remain hard enough for completion of sex. Penile erections are not hard enough for penetration. One can still achieve an orgasm and ejaculate with erectile dysfunction. Subscribe to MedicineNet's Men's Health Newsletter. By clicking "Submit," I agree to the MedicineNet Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy. I also agree to receive emails from MedicineNet and I understand that I may opt out of MedicineNet subscriptions at any time.

How do health care professionals diagnose erectile dysfunction? Physicians make a diagnosis of erectile dysfunction in men who complain of troubles having a hard enough erection or a hard erection that does not last long enough.

It is important as you talk with your doctor that you be candid in terms of when your troubles started, how bothersome your erectile dysfunction is, how severe it is, and discuss all your medical conditions along with all prescribed and nonprescribed medications that you are taking.

Your doctor will ask several questions to determine if your symptoms are suggestive of erectile dysfunction and to assess its severity and possible causes. Your doctor will try to get information to answer the following questions: Is the patient suffering from erectile dysfunction or from some other form of sexual dysfunction such as loss of libido or a disorder of ejaculation (for example, premature ejaculation) or orgasm, or problems with penile curvature/pain (Peyronie's disease)? Is your erectile dysfunction due to psychological (stress, relationship problems, etc.) or physical factors? Your doctor may ask if you note erections at night or in the early morning.

Men have involuntary erections in the early morning and during REM sleep (a stage in the sleep cycle with rapid eye movements). Men with psychogenic erectile dysfunction (erectile dysfunction due to psychological factors such as stress and anxiety rather than physical factors) usually maintain these involuntary erections. Men with physical causes of erectile dysfunction (for example, atherosclerosis, smoking, and diabetes) usually do not have these involuntary erections.

Men with psychogenic erectile dysfunction may relate the onset of problems to a "stressor," such as failed relationship.

Your doctor may suggest a test to determine if you have erections during sleep, which may suggest that there may be a psychological cause of the erectile dysfunction. Erectile dysfunction may be a symptom of underlying medical conditions, which if not detected may cause further medical problems.

A prior history of cigarette smoking, heart attacks, strokes, and poor circulation in the extremities (for example, intermittent claudication or cramping in your leg[s] when you walk) suggest atherosclerosis as the cause of the erectile dysfunction. Loss of sexual desire and drive, lack of sexual fantasies, gynecomastia (enlargement of breasts), and diminished facial hair suggest low testosterone levels.

A prior history of pelvic surgery or radiation and trauma to the penis/pelvis/perineum can cause problems with the nerves and blood vessels. Symptoms of intermittent claudication of the lower extremities with exercise may suggest a vascular problem as a cause of the erectile dysfunction. Is the patient taking medications that can contribute to erectile dysfunction (see causes above), including prescribed, over-the-counter, or recreational drugs?

It is important to discuss your prescribed medications, as well as over-the-counter medications and drugs of abuse such as opiates, alcohol, etc.

The physical examination can reveal clues for physical causes of erectile dysfunction.

A doctor will perform an assessment of BMI and waist circumference to evaluate for abdominal obesity. A genital examination is part of the evaluation of erectile dysfunction.

The examination will focus on the penis and testes. The doctor will ask you about penile curvature and will examine the penis to see if there are any plaques (hard areas) palpable. The doctor will

examine

breast

Blood hemoglobin A1C : Abnormally high levels of blood hemoglobin A1C in patients with diabetes mellitus indicate that there is poor control of blood glucose levels. Serum creatinine : An abnormal serum creatinine, a chemical that reflects kidney function, may be the result of kidney damage. Liver enzymes and liver function tests : Liver disease (cirrhosis) can cause low testosterone. Thus, a physician may need to test some men for liver disease.

Total testosterone levels : Health care professionals should obtain a patient's blood samples for total testosterone levels in the early morning (before 8 a.m.) because the testosterone levels go up and down throughout the day. If you have a low testosterone level, a health care professional should check it again to confirm that it is truly low.

In some men, a specialized test measuring the active form of testosterone (free or bioavailable testosterone) may be recommended. Other hormone levels : Measurement of other hormones beside testosterone (luteinizing hormone [LH], prolactin level, and cortisol level) may provide clues to other underlying causes of testosterone deficiency and erectile problems, such as pituitary disease or adrenal gland abnormalities.

Doctors may check thyroid levels in some individuals as both hypothyroidism (low thyroid function) and hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid function) can contribute to erectile dysfunction. PSA levels : PSA (prostate specific antigen) blood levels and prostate examination to exclude prostate cancer is important before starting testosterone treatment since testosterone can aggravate prostate cancer.

Other blood tests : Evaluation for hemochromatosis, lupus, scleroderma, zinc deficiency, sickle cell anemia, and cancers (leukemia, colon cancer) are some of the other potential tests that a physician may perform based on each individual's health history and symptoms.

Health care professionals do not routinely obtain imaging tests in the evaluation of erectile dysfunction. Ultrasound with Doppler imaging (ultrasound plus evaluation of blood flow in the arteries and veins) can provide additional information about blood flow of the penis and may help in the evaluation of patients prior to surgical intervention.

This study is typically performed after the injection of a chemical that causes the arteries to open up, a vasodilator (prostaglandin E1), into the corpora cavernosa in order to

cause

Monitoring erections that occur during sleep (nocturnal penile tumescence) can help you and your doctor to understand if the erectile dysfunction is due to psychological or physical causes. The nocturnal penile tumescence test is a study to evaluate erections at night. Normally men have three to five erections per eight hours of sleep.

The test can be performed at home or in a sleep lab. The most accurate way to perform the test involves a special device that is connected to two rings.

The rings are placed around the penis, one at the tip of the penis and the other at the bottom (base) of the penis.

The device records how many erections occur, how long they last, and how rigid they are. The test is limited in that it does not assess the ability to penetrate.

If there seems to be a psychological cause contributing to your erectile dysfunction, the doctor may ask the patient questions to help determine stressor, events, and relationship issues that may be causing your erectile troubles.

It may be helpful to have your sexual partner involved in this assessment. Novel therapies are promising but face questions about patient selection and efficacy. Erectile dysfunction is a common concern among aging males. Not only does ED affect quality of life, but it is also linked to cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes, and overall health.

Currently, there are three categories of ED treatments.

Oral medications such as phosphodiesterase type-5 (PDE-5) inhibitors (sildenafil, vardenafil, tadalafil, and avanafil) have comparable efficacy.

Intracavernosal injections (alprostadil, phentolamine, papaverine, and/or atropine) or intraurethral suppositories (alprostadil) are alternatives in patients who are non-responders to oral medications or have side effects. Penile implants are the most invasive treatment but provide durable results and the highest satisfaction rates of all of treatments. Given the prevalence of ED, there is significant incentive to find more effective and less invasive treatment options. Here we review new and emerging treatment options for this common condition.

We also review the use of nutraceuticals, which are not new but have seen explosive growth in recent years (see, “Nutraceuticals for ED at a glance.") New oral agents and pathways.

PDE-5 inhibitors remain the cornerstone of oral therapies.

Researchers have explored alternative pathways for novel therapeutics (table), although success has been limited.

Currently, no novel oral medications are in clinical development.

Prior targets have focused on central pathways (dopaminergic and melanocortin) and peripheral pathways (guanylyl cyclase and Rho-A/Rho kinase), but novel oral therapies directed at these pathways have shown limited efficacy and tolerability. An overview of the cellular pathways is shown in the figure.

Initially, the use of dopamine agonists for Parkinson’s disease was associated with increased libido. Apomorphine is a dopamine D1 and D2 receptor agonist that was approved for ED in Europe in 2001.

In a phase III double-blind, parallel-arm, crossover study of nearly 900 men with ED, more than 50% of those using apomorphine were able to obtain an erection sufficient for intercourse compared to 33% of men using placebo (BJU Int 2002; 89:409-15). However, the FDA did not approve the drug in the United States because of concerns about hypotension.

Similar medications (ABT-724 and ABT-670) targeted to the D4 receptor have also been studied, but development was stopped after phase II studies. Melanocortin receptor agonists including melanotan II (subcutaneous administration) and bremelanotide (intranasal administration) have been studied for ED.

Both formulations improved erectile function in studied men, although they were poorly tolerated in clinical studies.

Patients given melanotan II experienced severe emesis, and bremelanotide caused severe hypertension.

Further clinical development has been discontinued. Recently, a landmark study identified a single locus near the SIM1 gene that was associated with risk of ED independent of known

risk

SIM1 encodes transcription factors involved in the leptin-melanocortin pathway and may represent an exciting target for future novel therapies. Soluble guanylyl cyclase is a key component of the nitric oxide (NO) pathway (figure).

In post-prostatectomy patients or diabetics who have severe endothelial dysfunction and cavernous nerve injury, PDE-5 inhibition does not increase endogenous NO levels sufficiently.

In these patients, direct activation of soluble guanylyl cyclase may enhance erections.

In a study of human cavernosal tissue obtained from patients during penile prosthesis implantation, compared to patients undergoing transurethral surgery, a combination of vardenafil and guanylyl cyclase activator enhanced cavernosal smooth muscle relaxation (J Sex Med 2013; 10:1268-77). Unfortunately, this medication has not progressed past phase II studies.

The RhoA/Rho kinase pathway contributes to cavernosal smooth muscle contraction, which is independent of the NO pathway. When activated, the smooth muscle myosin light chain (MLC) is phosphorylated by inhibiting MLC phosphatase, leading to calcium sensitization and smooth muscle contraction. Studies of hypertensive and diabetic rats have suggested upregulation of this pathway and a resultant worsening of erectile function.

SAR407899 is a specific RhoA/Rho kinase inhibitor that induces penile erection with greater potency and longer duration than sildenafil in a diabetic rabbit model, as well as in human cavernosal tissue strips (J Transl Med 2012; 10:59). However, development of this drug ceased after completion of phase II clinical trials, without reporting of results.

Topical agents for the treatment of ED are an appealing alternative for patients who experience adverse effects with the use of oral PDE-5 inhibitors and who do not desire more invasive treatments.

Topical alprostadil has been studied in several double-blind, placebo-controlled trials with notable improvements in International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) scores and few minor side effects such as erythema at the administration site. Topical sildenafil is currently being studied for the treatment of ED.

A phase I pharmacokinetic and safety trial has shown good penetration of topical sildenafil without significant side effects (bit.ly/topical-sildenafil). A phase II proof-of-concept study has been completed, although results have not yet been reported. Various formulations of both topical alprostadil and sildenafil are available through online outlets and compounding pharmacies, although tissue penetration and efficacy are likely variable.

While promising, considerable investigation of topical agents is still needed.

Stem cells have become an attractive therapy for ED, particularly following prostatectomy, where ED is secondary to cavernosal nerve damage.

Stem cells for the treatment of ED have been derived from a number of sources, including adipose tissue, bone marrow, urine, placenta, umbilical vein endothelium, and amniotic fluid.

Adipose-derived stem cells are the most studied in ED treatment in the rat model, with several studies showing an improvement in intracavernosal pressure in rats injected with stem cells directly into the corpus cavernosum.

Additionally, combination treatment with brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), PDE-5 inhibitors, and adipose-derived stem cells have suggested a synergistic effect in improving erectile function in the rat model (Tissue Eng Part A 2014; 20:2446-54).

However, data examining the therapeutic efficacy and safety of stem cells for treatment of ED in humans are limited, and this therapy remains experimental. Platelets play an important role in inflammation, tissue remodeling, and angiogenesis.

The use of autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has been explored in the treatment of a number of conditions, including ED. Whole blood is obtained from the patient through venipuncture and the sample is then centrifuged to remove white and red blood cells.

The supernatant contains platelets and plasma proteins, including growth factors and other components that can aid healing, which are then directly injected into the corpus cavernosum. Wu et al performed intracavernosal injection of PRP in an animal model of ED after cavernous nerve crush injury, observing an improvement in erectile function after PRP (J Sex Med 2012; 9:2838-48).

However, no studies evaluating the efficacy of PRP for ED in humans are currently available.

The safety of PRP has been suggested in a study by Matz et al in which PRP fibrin matrix was used in 16 patients for ED and/or Peyronie’s disease. There were no major complications, and minor complications included mild pain or bruising at the injection site in approximately 20% of patients (Investig Clin Urol 2018; 59:61-65).

Although PRP is an interesting potential therapy for ED, further studies are warranted to evaluate its safety and efficacy.

Next: Extracorporeal low-intensity shock wave therapy Extracorporeal low-intensity shock wave therapy.

Extracorporeal low-intensity shock wave therapy (LISWT) is an emerging treatment for ED. It has been studied previously for a number of other conditions, including tissue ischemia, wound healing, and musculoskeletal disorders.

LISWT utilizes direct mechanical forces from a pulse energy source and indirect force through cavitation that is directed at the treatment target.

For ED, LISWT is thought to induce microtrauma to the cavernosal tissue that upregulates angiogenic factors, resulting in new blood vessel growth.

Vardi et al were the first to systematically report their experience with LISWT for ED in 2010, and since then a number of other studies have been published suggesting some therapeutic efficacy, with minimal adverse effects (Eur Urol 2010; 58:243-8). However, the ability to draw conclusions from the addyi purchase current literature is limited due to difference in treatment protocols, follow-up time, and patient selection.

Several ongoing randomized clinical trials will help our understanding of the role of LISWT in the treatment of addyi purchase ED. Over the last decade, we have developed a better understanding of the pathophysiology of ED. However, novel therapies-especially oral agents-with demonstrable efficacy and favorable side effect profiles are lacking.

Other innovative therapies in early clinical stages show promise, but there remain unanswered questions about patient selection and efficacy.

Continued technological advances and a detailed understanding of the spectrum of pathophysiologic mechanisms of ED will translate to novel therapies in the future. Nutraceuticals are therapies that use alternative, natural, or herbal additives with claims of health benefits. Consumption of these therapies has exploded over the last decade. As a result of the Dietary Supplement Health Act of 1994, supplements are regulated as foods rather than medications.

The aversion that men with ED often have to seeking medical care, in part from the negative stigma associated with the condition, has likely fueled this growing market. Many nutraceuticals are commercially available without prescription and include up to a dozen different ingredients, including yohimbine, L-arginine, red ginseng, and Epimedium spp (or horny goat weed).

However, the efficacy and bioavailability of these ingredients and formulations have not been well established. As such, the use of nutraceuticals for ED should be approached with caution. Yohimbine is derived from the African yohimbe tree and inhibits central alpha-2 adrenergic receptors to increase libido, although the true mechanism contributing to erections is unknown.

An early meta-analysis suggested yohimbine had therapeutic efficacy with few adverse effects.

More recently, a study explored on-demand L-arginine glutamate and yohimbine in 45 patients with mild to moderate ED in a double-blind, placebo-controlled study (Eur Urol 2002; 41:608-13; discussion 13). Those who received the combination had improved erectile function domain responses on the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) compared to placebo.

Yohimbine is the most promising nutraceutical, although it is uncertain how it compares to current oral ED medications.

L-arginine is a naturally occurring amino acid that is also a component of many nutraceuticals claiming to boost erectile function. It is a precursor to nitric oxide and supplementation with L-arginine can boost nitric oxide levels, leading to smooth muscle relaxation and increased blood flow. However, demonstrable efficacy of L-arginine supplementation is limited.

Similar to L-arginine, ginseng affects the NO pathway, stimulating nitric oxide synthase (NOS). Nearly a dozen randomized studies have evaluated the use of ginseng for ED.

Most have reported a positive effect, although each of these studies has methodologic flaws including selection bias, dosing, and follow-up.

Adverse effects of red ginseng are generally mild and include headaches, gastrointestinal upset, skin irritation, and reports of symptomatic hypoglycemia in diabetics.