Medical treatment of erectile dysfunction
There has been a tremendous increase in demand for the treatment of erectile dysfunction in the last 10 years. This has occurred partly because of a greater understanding and awareness by both the general public and clinicians, and also because there now exists a range of effective treatments. The choice of treatments is increasing rapidly and novel delivery systems which may be more patient-friendly than intracavernosal injections are now becoming available. We review the published data on effectiveness and safety of the currently available treatments and discuss recent advances in oral therapy, as these drugs are likely to become available in the near future.
Impotence or erectile dysfunction is the inability to attain and/or maintain penile erection for satisfactory sexual intercourse. There has recently been an increase in interest in the management of erectile dysfunction, partly because of a greater awareness amongst clinicians and the public, but also because there is an increasing array of effective treatments.
Erectile dysfunction is recognised as a common problem with an overall incidence of around 10% throughout all ages. The incidence increases with age and is reported as 52% in men aged between 40-70 years old. At special risk are arteriopaths and diabetics. In a recent questionnaire study by Hackett of 250 diabetics and 981 age-matched controls in the community, the incidence was 53% and 26%, respectively. Levitra Professional online
Erectile dysfunction is also a hidden condition; it is seldom inquired about as part of a routine consultation and the patient rarely volunteers information because of embarrassment and a feeling that little can be done. A recent study reported that 50% of sufferers had not discussed it with anyone and only 10% of non-diabetics with erectile dysfunction had approached their general practitioner. Of those who did discuss it with their general practitioner, no treatment was offered in 40% of cases and of those treated only 10% of patients found treatment to be satisfactory. Levitra 20mg
These figures for diagnosis and successful therapy are very low. We will describe the range of medical therapies for erectile dysfunction, which are often very effective and therefore reduce the significant morbidity associated with this condition. Cialis 10mg
Intracavernosal vasoactive injections
Since Virag’s letter in the Lancet in 1982 intracorporeal vasoactive agents have become a significant part of the diagnosis and treatment of erectile dysfunction. The technique is accepted as being very effective as long as there is no severe arterial or venocclusive problem. Initially the agent of choice has been papaverine, sometimes given in combination with phentolamine. However, it is now generally agreed that prostaglandin El (alprostadil, PGE1) is the agent of choice because of efficacy and safety.