Mild-symptom erectile dysfunction (MSED) is commonly seen in clinical practice, but receives inadequate attention from both the patients and clinicians. Increasing researches have indicated that MSED is associated with not only unhealthy living habits and psychological factors but also the early progression of endothelial, metabolic and endocrine diseases. The diagnosis and treatment of MSED should be based on the relevant guidelines, with consideration of both its specific and common features. The therapeutic principle is a combination of integrated and individual solutions aimed at the causes of the disease. Drug intervention should be initiated if psychological therapy fails. Negligence of MSED may affect the quality of life of the patients and their partners, and what's more, might delay the management of some other severe underlying diseases. Adequate attention to the early diagnosis and treatment for MSED is of great significance for a deeper insight into the etiology of ED, the prevention of potential cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, and the improvement of the overall health of males.
Attention ; Erectile Dysfunction ; diagnosis ; etiology ; therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Quality of Life

OBJECTIVETo investigate the etiology and individualized treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED) in young adult men.

METHODSIncluded in the investigation were 110 young adult men with ED, at the mean age of 28 (ranging from 22 to 39) and with the average disease course of 24 months (ranging from 6 to 48). The etiology of ED was determined for each patient by history inquiry, medical examination, laboratory investigation and erectile function test, and then individualized therapies were administered accordingly.

RESULTSOf all the diagnosed cases of ED, 42 (38.2%) were psychogenic, 36 (32.7%) organic and 32 (29.1%) of the mixed type. Four cases of schizophrenia were transferred elsewhere, 4 pelvic fracture induced cases gave up treatment, and the other 102 received individualized therapies, with the average effectiveness rate of 88.2%.

CONCLUSIONDetermination of the etiology of ED and the corresponding individualized treatment is the linchpin for improving the therapeutic effect of ED in young adult men.

Adult ; Clinical Laboratory Techniques ; Erectile Dysfunction ; diagnosis ; etiology ; therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Physical Examination ; Surveys and Questionnaires

In humans androgen decline is presented as a clinical picture which includes decreased sexual interest, diminished erectile capacity, delayed or absent orgasms and reduced sexual pleasure. Additionally, changes in mood, diminished well being, fatigue, depression and irritability are also associated with androgen insufficiency. The critical role of androgens on the development, growth, and maintenance of the penis has been widely accepted. Although, the exact effect of androgens on erectile physiology still remains undetermined, recent experimental studies have broaden our understanding about the relationship between androgens and erectile function. Preclinical studies showed that androgen deprivation leads to penile tissue atrophy and alterations in the nerve structures of the penis. Furthermore, androgen deprivation caused to accumulation of fat containing cells and decreased protein expression of endothelial and neuronal nitric oxide synthases (eNOS and nNOS), and phosphodiesterase type-5 (PDE-5), which play crucial role in normal erectile physiology. On the light of the recent literature, we aimed to present the direct effect of androgens on the structures, development and maintenance of penile tissue and erectile physiology as well. Furthermore, according to the clinical studies we conclude the aetiology, pathophysiology, prevalence, diagnosis and treatment options of hypogonadism in aging men.
Aging ; Androgens ; physiology ; Erectile Dysfunction ; Humans ; Hypogonadism ; diagnosis ; etiology ; therapy ; Male ; Testosterone ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVETo improve the clinician's ability for emergency treatment of priapism.

METHODSBoth cases received 2 mg to 8 mg of metaraminol injection at the root of cavernous body, and perfusion of heparinized saline at glans and root of cavernous body of the penis by contrecoup, but they had not good response to the above therapy. At last surgery was performed.

RESULTSTotal penectomy was performed for both cases. One case was diagnosed of penile sarcoma, and another was metastatic transitional cell carcinoma.

CONCLUSIONPriapism due to neoplasma is infrequent, it should not be misdiagnosed in case of emergency.

Erectile Dysfunction ; diagnosis ; etiology ; therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Penile Neoplasms ; complications ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo explore the distribution, combination and evolution of various syndromic etiologies of erectile dysfunction (ED) based on the syndrome etiology theory.

METHODSUsing the ED Syndromic Etiology Scale, we collected the clinical data on the Chinese medicine diagnoses of 297 cases of ED, extracted the core syndromic etiologies by analysis of principal components and factors, and analyzed the patterns of distribution, combination, and evolution of ED syndromic etiologies according to the general information of the patients.

RESULTSThrough analysis of principal components and factors, 9 core syndromic etiologies were extracted, i. e. , liver constraint with qi stagnation, kidney yin deficiency, damp-heat, liver constraint transforming into liver-fire, blood stasis, kidney yang deficiency, heart-spleen paired deficiency, qi-yin paired deficiency, and phlegm-damp. Each of these syndrome etiologies exhibited its own specific distribution patterns. Of the total number of cases studied, 51.52% had 2 or 3 core syndromic etiologies and 36.03% had only one.

CONCLUSIONIn the early stage of ED, its syndromic etiologies are usually liver constraint with qi stagnation, kidney yin deficiency, damp-heat, liver constraint transforming into liver-fire, and blood stasis. With the natural progres- sion of the disease, its syndromic etiologies gradually evolve into kidney yang deficiency, heart-spleen paired deficiency, qi-yin paired deficiency, phlegm-damp, and blood stasis, and finally into yin-yang deficiency of the heart, spleen and kidneys, combined with phlegm-damp and blood stasis.

Adult ; Erectile Dysfunction ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; etiology ; Humans ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Middle Aged

Prostatic diseases and erectile dysfunction (ED) are common diseases in urology and andrology. Basic and clinical studies have proved that there is a close relationship between the two. This article reviews the mechanism, diagnosis and treatment of ED caused by several prostatic diseases, such as acute prostatitis, chronic prostatitis, benign prostate hyperplasia and prostate cancer.
Chronic Disease ; Erectile Dysfunction ; diagnosis ; etiology ; therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Prostatic Diseases ; complications ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; complications ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; complications ; Prostatitis ; complications

OBJECTIVEPituitary prolactinoma with severe erectile dysfunction (ED) as the initial symptom is often misdiagnosed. This article explores the diagnosis and treatment of severe ED caused by pituitary prolactinoma.

METHODSWe retrospectively analyzed the diagnosis and treatment of 4 cases of pituitary prolactinoma with severe ED (IIEF-5 score 5 - 7) as the initial clinical symptom confirmed by MRI.

RESULTSThe 4 cases of pituitary prolactinoma-induced severe ED, with serum prolactin 10 times above the maximum normal level, were misdiagnosed for 2 years. All failed to respond to the PDE5 inhibitor therapy, and then 3 of them underwent transnasal hypophysectomy. Twenty-four months of follow-up found the level of prolactin restored to normal in 1 case (IIEF-5 = 19), and reduced to 600 and 768 IU/L respectively (IIEF-5 = 15) in the other 2. Then administration of the PDE5 inhibitor was followed, which produced satisfactory efficacy. One case was treated with oral bromocriptine, which restored the prolactin level to normal at 12 months (IIEF-5 > 21).

CONCLUSIONProlactin detection and brain MRI can help to confirm pituitary prolactinoma with severe ED at the onset. As for its treatment, in case of an extremely high level of prolactin, simple administration of the PDE5 inhibitor is ineffective. When the prolactin level is reduced after surgery or medication, the symptom of ED can be improved and, in case of no obvious relief, administration of the PDE5 inhibitor can be followed, which may achieve satisfactory results.

Adult ; Erectile Dysfunction ; diagnosis ; etiology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors ; therapeutic use ; Pituitary Neoplasms ; complications ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; Prolactinoma ; complications ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; Retrospective Studies

PURPOSE: This study was performed to examine the treatment of erectile dysfunction by use of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles-labeled human mesenchymal stem cells (SPION-MSCs) transplanted into the cavernous nerve injured cavernosa of rats as monitored by molecular magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eight-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups of 10 rats each: group 1, sham operation; group 2, cavernous nerve injury; group 3, SPION-MSC treatment after cavernous nerve injury. Immediately after the cavernous nerve injury in group 3, SPION-MSCs were injected into the cavernous nerve injured cavernosa. Serial T2-weighted MRI was done immediately after injection and at 2 and 4 weeks. Erectile response was assessed by cavernous nerve stimulation at 2 and 4 weeks. RESULTS: Prussian blue staining of SPION-MSCs revealed abundant uptake of SPION in the cytoplasm. After injection of 1x10(6) SPION-MSCs into the cavernosa of rats, T2-weighted MRI showed a clear hypointense signal induced by the injection. The presence of SPION in the corpora cavernosa was confirmed with Prussian blue staining. At 2 and 4 weeks, rats with cavernous nerve injury had significantly lower erectile function than did rats without cavernous nerve injury (p<0.05). The group transplanted with SPION-MSCs showed higher erectile function than did the group without SPION-MSCs (p<0.05). The presence of SPION-MSCs for up to 4 weeks was confirmed by MRI imaging and Prussian blue staining in the corpus cavernosa. CONCLUSIONS: Transplanted SPION-MSCs existed for up to 4 weeks in the cavernous nerve injured cavernosa of rats. Erectile dysfunction recovered and could be monitored by MRI.
Animals ; Contrast Media/pharmacology ; Dextrans/*pharmacology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drug Delivery Systems/methods ; *Erectile Dysfunction/diagnosis/etiology/therapy ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging/methods ; *Magnetite Nanoparticles ; Male ; Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation/*methods ; Monitoring, Physiologic/methods ; Penis/*innervation ; *Peripheral Nerve Injuries/complications/diagnosis/physiopathology/therapy ; Rats ; Suspensions ; Treatment Outcome