Erectile Dysfunction: Causes and Diagnosis

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is defined as "the inability to achieve and (or) maintain an erection sufficient to satisfy sexual activity" (Impotence, NIH Consensus Development Panel on Impotence, 1993) if these disorders are observed for at least three months. The term ED was proposed by the US National Institute of Public Health instead of the old "impotence", implying too categorical perception of the problem causing disbelief in the prospect of treatment. According to WHO, after 21 years, erectile dysfunction is detected in every 10th man, and after 60 years - every third man is not able to perform sexual intercourse at all. According to the calculations of J. B. MkKinlay (2000), about 150 million men in the world suffer from ED; it is assumed that over the next 25 years this figure may double.