Erectile Dysfunction Dictionary

alkaloids: Chemicals that may be produced from plants and that contain cancer-killing properties. Can be applied as chemotherapy treatments and, in the case of yohimbine, used for erectile dysfunction symptoms.

anxiety: A common psychological response, often with emotional consequences, that can alert the brain's neurotransmitters to restrict blood flow that, in turn, can interfere with erections.

atherosclerosis: Also known as hardening of the arteries, atherosclerosis can lead to serious complications such as stroke and heart attack but can also cause erectile dysfunction as arteries in other parts of the body begin to stiffen and reduce blood flow.

behavior modification: Often led by a professional or through self-training, this is a process of making lifestyle changes, including physical and emotional approaches, that can lead to an improvement or even a cure in sexual function.

blood flow: This is a very important part of sexual functioning due to the fact that the penis must become engorged with blood to achieve an erection.

Cialis®: Brand name for tadalafil, which is one of the primary drugs used to treat erectile dysfunction.

corpus cavernosum: These are two tissue segments that run from the pubic bones along the shaft of the penis and that are largely responsible for maintaining the blood supply to the penis during an erection.

cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP): A chemical agent, or enzyme, produced from nitric oxide in the male system that is triggered by sexual stimulation and that provides the response of blood to the penis.

depression: A common cause of erectile dysfunction that can also be exacerbated by, or even a symptom of, sexual failure. Treatments for depression can also be a primary cause of ED.

dopamine: Known as a neurohormone, this is released from the brain but can also be administered as a synthetic or be stimulated by certain medications and is responsible for increasing the sensation of sexual desire and sensitivity.

erectile dysfunction (ED): Less often referred to as impotence, this can indicate the lack of an erection as well as the inability to maintain an erection long enough for ejaculation, which may be caused by a number of mental and physical conditions or factors.

enzyme inhibitors: Most often referred to as selective enzyme inhibitors, these include the current "big three" of drugs that treat erectile dysfunction: Cialis ® (tadalafil), Viagra ® (sildenafil) and Levitra ® (vardenafil), which work to block the PDE-5 enzyme that, in turn, allows for the production of cGMP.