Erectile Dysfunction is a common disorder that affects a man's ability to maintain an erection firm enough for sexual intercourse. It can impact heavily on a man's satisfaction with his sex life and that of his partner.
The penis contains long columns of erectile tissue (corpora cavernosa) that run along the shaft, which expands with an increase in blood flow. Sexual arousal, nerve stimulation of the erectile tissue, dilation of the inflowing blood arteries of the penis, and suppression of outflowing blood are all necessary for normal erections. When enough blood flows into the erectile columns, the fibrous tissue prevents further expansion but creates the rigidity of an erection.
Erectile dysfunction can occur from puberty onwards but is most commonly associated with ageing. Most often, it is caused by something physical, such as:
Treatment of erectile dysfunction has been revolutionised by the discovery of certain blood vessel-dilating drugs, which are often highly effective.
However, in some instances, particularly after local treatment for prostate cancer, these medications fail to improve erections sufficiently.
Alternative treatments may then be required. These include intracavernous (into the erectile tissue) injections (of blood vessel-dilating medication), vacuum pump devices or the insertion of an inflatable penile prosthesis.
Dr Vlok has been trained to place penile prosthesis for erectile dysfunction.
During the procedure, Dr Vlok places inflatable or flexible rods into the penis. These rods use a device filled with a saline solution and a pump placed inside the scrotum to recreate an erection. When the pump is pressed, the saline solution travels through the rod and erects the penis.
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