Erectile dysfunction and its pharmacology: An overview

Abstract

It has been estimated that currently over 150 million men worldwide suffer from erectile dysfunction (ED) and by 2025, the figure will increase beyond 322 millions. ED is the inability to achieve, and/or maintain penile erection sufficient for satisfactory sexual intercourse, and was previously regarded as the part of aging. It is associated with certain diseases and life style habits with a cause-effect relationship, including diabetes mellitus, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and cigarette smoking. Internationally, most of the men with ED fail to pursue treatment due to the complex nature of sexuality, taboos, cultural restrictions, and acceptance of ED as a normal sequel of aging. In this review, we discussed the physiology, diagnosis, and risk factors associated with ED and current treatment strategies for ED.