Classification Of Erectile Dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction has many classifications like cause based, based on neurovascular mechanism of erectile process or based on the failure to fill arteries and based on the failure to store in veins.

Psychogenic

It was earlier believed that psychogenic impotency was the most common type people were suffering from. This belief led to the conclusion that people suffering from erectile dysfunction have a mixed condition of physical and functional disorder. However, penile erection and sexual behavior in general, is controlled by limbic system, hypothalamus and cerebral cortex. So, stimulatory messages can be relayed to the spinal erection centers to facilitate erection. In psychogenic dysfunction, two theories have been put forward, one is inhibition of spinal erection centers by the brain on top of the normal inhibition and too much sympathetic outflow which increases penile smooth muscle tone to prevent relaxation of the muscles necessary for normal erection.

Neurogenic

Erectile dysfunction may have neurogenic origin. If iotrogenic and other causes of erectile dysfunction is included, one may find neurogenic erectile dysfunction is prevalent in more cases. Neurogenic disorder includes other causes, to specify any erectile dysfunction is of neurogenic origin or not, is very difficult to surmise. Since erection is neurovascular, any disease involving brain, spinal cord and certain nerves may cause erectile dysfunction.

Endocrinologic

The growth and development of male reproductive tract is influenced by androgens and their effects on sexual behavior and libido is established.

Arteriogenic

Traumatic arterial occlusive disease can decrease arterial flow or perfusion pressure to the sinusoids and increase the time for erection and decrease the rigidity of erected penis.

Venogenic

Inadequate venous occlusion has been sighted as one of the common cause of impotence. Dysfunction related to veno-occlusive disorder may be related to the following:
• Presence of large venous channel draining corpora cavernosa
• Degenerative changes like old age, diabetes etc. or traumatic injury (penile fracture)
• Structural alterations in the fibro elastic components resulting in venous leakage.
• Insufficient smooth muscle relaxation
• Due to acquired venous shunts.