[Diagnosis and treatment of erectile dysfunctions]

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is the most frequent form of male sexual dysfunctions. The incidence is not known. Approximately 10% of men suffer from ED. Aging is concomitted by an exponential increase in the occurrence of erectile dysfunctions. Some groups of men (suffering from diabetes, alcoholism, ICHS, renal diseases) yield several times higher values of their occurrence. In general, ED (formerly impotentio coeundi) can be defined as an inability to achieve erection and maintain it for an appropriately long period enabling sexual intercourse. ETIOPATHOGENESIS: The etiology includes psychological, neurological, arterial, sinusoidal, venous and hormonal factors which participate in erectile function. ED arises predominantly in consequence of impaired haemodynamics of the penis. It develops either due to insufficient blood inflow into the erectile bodies or due to their excessive drainage. The traumatic lesions of penile vessels are less frequent. Drugs and medicaments play a significant role among etiologic factors causing erectile dysfunctions.

No regulations and principles are generally valid in coincidence with examination of patients with erectile dysfunction. The signs of neurologic, hormonal and vascular defects are detected. An objective method of examination of erectile capacity of the penis resides in the monitoring of penile nocturnal tumescensions. The examination of arterial system of the penis provides information on the perfusion pressure and blood flow in the cavernous arteries. The vascular structures of the penis and their functions can be evaluated by means of duplex ultrasonography and flowmetry. The quality to arterial supply to erectile bodies is evaluated by dynamic examination of arteries prior to and after intracavernous application of vasoactive substances. The functional state and size of venous leak from the cavernous bodies are evaluated by dynamic cavernosometry.

The application of vasoactive substances meant a significant contribution to the diagnosis establishment and therapy of erectile dysfunctions. They have a common feature which resides in their myorelaxation effect and thus in their ability to induce erection by means of relaxation of the smooth muscles of cavernous bodies. Intracavernous application of vasoactive substances is the mostly spread means of therapy of erectile dysfunction as a whole, frequently with no regard to the etiology. Surgical therapy of vasculogenous impotence is based on knowledge concerning the impact of vascular lesions on the haemodynamics of erectile function of the penis. the revascularisation operations are aimed at the regeneration of normal haemodynamic conditions in the penis.

Sexual life is currently considered as a proportion of life of individuals. The physicians therefore have to seek ways of how to help the patients who due to acquired erectile dysfunctions are handicapped in the establishment of family harmony and sexual life. (Ref. 31).