Bangkok--Mar 19--PR & Associates ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION (ED) BACKGROUNDERDEFINED - Erection problems, such as erectile dysfunction (ED), are defined as the consistent inability to achieve and/or maintain an erection sufficient for satisfactory sexual activity. Men with ED often retain other sexual functions, such as sexual desire and the ability to have orgasms and ejaculate.PREVALENCE AND AGE FACTORS - ED is one of the most common male sexual problems and becomes progressively more prevalent as men get older. However, ED can be treated and should not be accepted as a part of the aging process.IMPACT ON QUALITY OF LIFE - Poor sexual function is often associated with negative experiences in sexual relationships and overall well being. Sexual dysfunction is more likely among men with poor physical and emotional health. A man who has experienced a recent pattern of ED may become anxious, depressed, and lacking in self-confidence. IMPACT ON RELATIONSHIPS - For many men, ED creates mental, emotional, and physical stress that causes them to avoid intimate situations with their partners and strains interaction with their family. - Because of the emotional pain associated with ED, it's common for men to make excuses or avoid sexual situations with their partners in an effort to forget about the condition.RISK FACTORS/UNDERLYING CAUSES - ED is primarily caused by physical conditions not psychological factors. - Psychological factors, account for about only 10 percent of ED in men over 50 years of age. - ED has been associated with cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and depression. - In men with diabetes over the age of 40, prevalence of ED is as high as 50 to 60 percent. - Thirty to 50 percent of ED cases result from blood vessel disease. Most data indicate that decreased penile vasodilatory capacity is the prime age-related cause of erectile dysfunction. Atherosclerosis (clogged arteries) is a risk factor for ED in 70 percent of men over the age of 60. - Hypertension, both treated or untreated, is a risk factor for ED in 15 percent of men between 40 and 70 years old. - The probability of a man with severe depression having moderate to mild ED is nearly 90 percent.DIAGNOSIS - Physicians can diagnose ED using some or all of the following techniques: medical and sexual history workups, physical and psychosocial examinations, laboratory, and other tests. TREATMENT OPTIONS After a patient has a complete medical evaluation and physical examination, a physician may prescribe: Drug Therapy, which involves taking an oral pill. Penile Injection Therapy, where a drug is injected directly into the penis prior to intercourse. Penile Prostheses, where a device is surgically implanted into the penis. Professional Counseling, such as psychotherapy and/or behavioral therapy. Transurethral Therapy, which uses a device to push a pellet through the tip of the urethra into the penis. Vacuum Devices, which are mechanisms that cause erection by creating a partial vacuum around the penis. Contact: Pongprach S. Metakul / Khamwadee Chorchuwong PR & Associates Tel. 0-9922-9542, 0-1909-0982 Tel. 0-2271-3531-3 [email protected] End.-AN-