Erectile dysfunction

Abstract

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is defi ned as the persistent inability to attain and maintain an erection suffi cient to permit satisfactory sexual performance [ 1 ]. Referring to bigger epidemiological studies, the incidence of ED which requires medical treatment is reported to be 20 % in the mean. It is age-related and increases up to 70 % in 70-year-old patients. But also younger patients suffer from ED: 5 % of 40-year- old patients have a complete and 17 % a moderate ED [ 2, 3 ]. Risk factors are lack of exercise, obesity, smoking, hypercholesterolemia, and metabolic syndrome [ 4 ]. Psychological, vascular, neurogenic, endocrine, or myogenic disorders as well as drugs can be the cause of ED. Patients with ED have to be screened for diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia since ED can be an early manifestation of cardiovascular disease [ 5, 6 ].