LC 3.7 - Male Sexual Function and Ageing Flashcards
What is the function of the testes?
Produce spermatazoa for reproduction
What is the function of the corpora cavenosa?
Facilitates erection for sexual intercourse
What is the function of the seminal vesicles?
Produces seminal fluid
What is the function of the prostate gland?
Produces seminal fluid
Urethra flows through organ
Where is testosterone produced?
Leydig cells
Name five things testosterone does to the body?
Increases spermatogenesis (locally) Increases red blood cell formation Increases muscle mass Increases direct fat deposition Increases hair growth in certain areas
What effect does ageing have on testosterone?
Levels decrease however as a person gets older testosterone is used in a ‘smarter’ way as bio-availability increases and tissue sensitivity increases
What hormone regulates the secretion of testosterone and where does it arise from?
LH
Anterior pituitary
How does the ‘andropause’ occur?
Apoptosis of leydig cells directly reduces testosterone
Hypothalamic-pituitary feedback loop is lost so decreased testosterone levels will not increase GnRH levels.
What seven effects does the ‘andropause’ have on men?
Decreased sexual function Mood changes Fatigue and sleep disturbance Increased fat deposition Decreased muscle mass Decreased bone mineral density (osteoporosis) Decreased Hb (Anaemia)
What seven effects does the ‘andropause’ have on men?
Decreased sexual function Mood changes Fatigue and sleep disturbance Increased fat deposition Decreased muscle mass Decreased bone mineral density (osteoporosis) Decreased Hb (Anaemia)
What effects does ageing have on fertility?
Most men - pregnancy rate unaffected
What effects does ageing have on fertility?
Most men - pregnancy rate unaffected
What effect does ageing have on prostate function?
Reduced secretion of seminal plasma
Reduced ejaculate volume - thinner/thicker seamen
Reduced force of ejaculation
What physical effect does ageing have on the prostate gland?
Increases in size - Benign prostatic hypertrophy (70% in 70 year olds) Malignant cancer (3% in 70 year olds)
What physical effect does ageing have on the prostate gland?
Increases in size - Benign prostatic hypertrophy (70% in 70 year olds) Malignant cancer (3% in 70 year olds)
Name the stages of the sexual cycle?
Desire
Arousal
Orgasm
Resolution
What effect does ageing have on sexual function?
Decreased desire Prolonged arousal (increased female satisfaction) Decreased penile sensitivity Decreased erectile rigidity Decreased intensity of orgasm Increased refractory period
Define erectile dysfunction?
Persistent inability to initiate or sustain a penile erection sufficient for satisfactory sexual activity
Define erectile dysfunction?
Persistent inability to initiate or sustain a penile erection sufficient for satisfactory sexual activity
Name four common causes of erectile dysfunction?
Ageing
Psychological
Vascular problems (increased risk with age)
Diabetes (increased risk with age)
Name four common causes of erectile dysfunction?
Ageing
Psychological
Vascular problems (increased risk with age)
Diabetes (increased risk with age)
Describe the mechanism behind how erectile dysfunction occurs?
Decreased desire = Decreased nitric oxide (vasodilator) release
Failure of relaxation and dilatation of the sinusoids
Nerve damage
Accumulation of cell toxins
Blocked/narrowed arteries
Describe five mechanisms behind how erectile dysfunction occurs?
Decreased desire = Decreased nitric oxide (vasodilator) release
Failure of relaxation and dilatation of the sinusoids
Nerve damage
Accumulation of cell toxins
Blocked/narrowed arteries
