title: [Sexual dysfunction in the elderly. Pathophysiological and medical issues. Treatment of erectile dysfunction].
abstract: Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a very distressing condition that not only negatively affects the elderly man's sexual ability, but also his overall quality of life and that of his partner. Encouraging men, alone or as a couple, to seek professional help is a major educational challenge which needs to be met by medical, social and political initiatives. The exact pathogenesis of ED remains unknown, but is presumed to be multifactorial; vascular disease is the most frequent cause with endothelial dysfunction being the common denominator. It has been postulated that ED is a sentinel symptom of cardiovascular clinical events and should prompt investigation and intervention for cardiovascular risk factors. Therefore, when a patient presents with ED, a thorough history and physical examination should be performed, as well as appropriate laboratory tests aimed at detecting associated diseases.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Geriatría, Hospital de Navarra, Pamplona, España. javialonsorenedo@yahoo.es
authors.forename: Francisco Javier
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Alonso Renedo
authors.forename: Alvaro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Casas Herrero
authors.forename: Itziar
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Iráizoz Apezteguía
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male