Male Sexual Dysfunction - Exam 2 Flashcards
What are the required components to male sexual function?
intact libido: need to have the sexual desire
ability to achieve and maintain penile erection
ejaculation
detumescence
____ causes an increase in male libido. _______ and ______ cause a decrease in male libido.
testosterone
hormonal or psych disorders and medication
What 3 things need to be intact in order for a male to achieve and maintain an erection?
Intact autonomic and somatic nerve supply
Functional musculature of corpora cavernosa and pelvic floor
Intact arterial blood flow to penis
What are the 2 normal erection pathways? What are the correlated spinal cord levels?
Central (psychogenic) - CNS to T11-L2
Peripheral (reflexogenic) - S2-S4
_____ start and maintain erection. While ______ promotes vascular relaxation
Neurotransmitters
nitric oxide (NO)
What needs to happen during the engorgement phase?
Relaxed smooth muscle in the corpora cavernosa and increased
blood flow to the penis
Trabecular smooth muscle compresses venous
return, promoting retention of blood and
maintaining erection
What is the normal ejaculation stimulated by?
sympathetic nervous system
What is the normal pathway for ejaculation?
Contraction of epididymis, vas deferens, seminal vesicles, prostate
Causes seminal fluid to enter the urethra → rhythmic contractions of bulbocavernosus and ischiocavernosus muscles → semen expulsion
What 3 things is detumescence regulated by? What is the end result?
norepinephrine, endothelin, smooth muscle contraction
Increases venous outflow and restores flaccid state
define erectile dysfunction. What is the general trend?
Consistent inability to attain or maintain a sufficiently rigid penile erection for sexual performance
Increasing incidence with age
T/F: ED is part of the natural age process and most men will experience it during their lifetime
FALSE!!!
ED is NOT part of the normal aging process
What are some associated factors for ED?
DM, obesity, BPH, HTN, CV disease, low HDL
smoking
local radiation or sx
Depression, anxiety, stress, anger
What are the big 3 causes of ED? These are present in ___ of cases
DM, atherosclerosis, medication
greater than 80% of cases
What are the 3 basic mechanisms of ED?
Failure to initiate erection (think psychogenic, endocrinologic, neurogenic)
Failure to fill penile tissue (think problem with arteries)
Failure to store adequate blood
volume in lacunar network (think venoocclusive dysfunction)
_____ is the MC organic cause of ED. Give some examples
Vasculogenic: disturbance of blood flow to or from penis
Atherosclerosis
traumatic arterial disease
anything that alters the veins (hypoxemia, hypercholesterolemia)
What are some neurogenic causes of ED?
trauma
MS
Peripheral neuropathy (especially with DM, alcoholism)
What are some endocrinologic reasons for ED?
Low testosterone
Increased prolactin - suppresses GnRH and testosterone
an increase in prolactin leads to a suppression of ______ and _____ resulting in _____
suppresses GnRH and testosterone
less libido