Praktické lekárnictvo 2/2017

Erectile dysfunction and its treatment

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is defined as persistent (for a period of persistence longer than 6 months) inability to develop and maintain an erection enabling satisfactory sexual intercourse. ED is an important medical problem – although ED is a „benign“ disorder, it affects physical and psychosocial health and has a significant impact on the quality of life of sufferers and their partners and families. Aetiology of ED comprises organic as well as organic causes. Diagnosis and therapy are simply and practically managed by guidelines and recommendations of European Association of Urology (EAU) and American Urological Association (AUA). ED can precede clinical manifestation of a principal disease causing ED. Highly effective and safe method of the first choice for a patient is per-oral pharmacotherapy. Phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors treat erectile ED in the vast majority of cases. Physicians (especially GPs – general practitioners) should systematically look for ED in any male (in particular in men with higher risk of developing ED).

Keywords: erectile dysfunction, diagnosis, therapy