Alprostadil: A type of drug called a vasodilator — These drugs can increase blood flow by expanding blood vessels.
Antiarrythmics: Medicines used to treat abnormal rhythms in the heart
Antibiotics: Any of a class of medicines that kill infection-causing germs
Antidepressants: Medicines used to treat depression and other related conditions
Antihistamines: Medicines used to treat allergic reactions or allergies
Antihypertensives: Medicines used to treat high blood pressure
Anti-inflammatory drugs: Drugs that reduce inflammation (swelling) by modifying the body’s immune response
Anxiety: A feeling of apprehension, often characterized by feelings of stress
Arteriography: A test given to patients who are candidates for vascular reconstructive surgery — During this test, a dye is injected into the artery believed to be damaged so that the artery can be viewed by X-ray.
Atherosclerosis: Also called hardening of the arteries — This is a process in which the walls of the arteries become thickened and hardened, usually due to a buildup of fat deposits.
Bladder: The sac that holds urine
Bloody ejaculation: See hematospermia.
Cancer: A disease that occurs when abnormal cells in a part of the body divide and grow out of control
Cavernosography: A test used in conjunction with the dynamic infusion cavernosometry (see below) that involves a dye that is injected into the penis — The penis is then X-rayed and doctors are able to visualize a venous leak (see below).
Chemotherapy: The use of drugs whose main effect is either to kill or slow the growth of rapidly multiplying cells — It is often used in cancer treatment, and usually includes a combination of drugs.
Cialis®:: The brand name of the drug tadalafil
Clinical trial: An organized research program conducted with patients to evaluate a new medical treatment, drug, or device
Complete blood count (CBC): A group of blood tests including hemoglobin concentration, red blood cell count, and white blood cell count
Corpora cavernosa: Two chambers in the penis that run the length of the organ and are filled with spongy tissue
Delayed ejaculation: An inability to ejaculate either during intercourse or with manual stimulation
Depression: A disorder characterized by feelings of extreme sadness, guilt, helplessness and hopelessness, and thoughts of death
Diagnosis: The process by which a doctor determines what disease a patient has by studying the patient’s symptoms and medical history, and analyzing any tests performed (blood tests, urine tests, brain scans, etc.)
Diuretic: Drugs that promote the formation of urine by the kidney
Duplex ultrasound: A penile test performed by bouncing soundwaves off tissue to determine penile blood flow
Dynamic infusion cavernosometry: A test during which fluid is pumped into the penis so doctors can determine the severity of a venous leak
Ejaculate: The fluid that is expelled from a man’s penis during sexual climax (orgasm)
Ejaculation: When sperm and other fluids come from the penis during sexual climax (orgasm)
Erectile dysfunction: The inability to develop or sustain an erection satisfactory for sexual activity
Erection: A state in which the penis fills with blood and becomes rigid
Glans: The head of the penis
Hematospermia: A disorder in which inflammation of the seminal vesicles, the colon, or the prostate causes a bloody ejaculation
Histamine H2 receptor antagonists: Medicines used to treat stomach ulcers that work by decreasing the amount of acid produced by the stomach
Hormones: Chemicals that stimulate or regulate the activity of cells or organs
Impotence: See Erectile dysfunction.
Infertility: The inability to conceive or produce offspring
Intercavernous injection therapy: Treatment for erectile dysfunction in which a medicine is injected directly into the penis
Intraurethral therapy: Treatment for erectile dysfunction in which a medicine, in suppository form, is inserted into the urethra
Levitra®::
The brand name of the drug vardenafil
Libido: A person’s sex drive
Lipid profile: A blood test that measures the level of lipids (fats), such as cholesterol and triglycerides
Luteinizing hormone (LH): A hormone produced by the pituitary gland located at the base of the brain — In men, LH stimulates the production of testosterone, a hormone necessary for sperm production. In women, LH causes ovulation.
Meatus: The opening at the tip of the penis where urine and semen are discharged
MUSE: The brand name of the intraurethral form of the medicine alprostadil
Neurologist: A medical specialist with advanced training in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the brain, spinal cord, nerves, and muscles
Neurological disorders: Disorders that affect the brain, spinal cord, nerves, or muscles
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): Medicines used to treat inflammation of the body’s tissues
Nocturnal penile tumescence and rigidity testing: A test used to monitor erections that occur naturally during sleep — This test can help determine if a man’s erectile problems are due to physical or psychological causes.
Orgasm: Sexual climax
Parenteral: Taken into the body in a way other than the digestive tract, usually injected in a muscle or vein
Penile biothesiometry: A test that uses electromagnetic vibration to determine sensitivity and nerve function of the penis
Penile implant: An inflatable penile prosthesis surgically placed in the penis — It allows a man to have an erection whenever he chooses.
Penile injection: A medicine that is injected into the penis in order to produced an erection
Performance anxiety: When a person anticipates some sort of problem occurring during sex
Peyronie's disease: A condition in which a plaque, or hard lump, forms in the penis — The hardened plaque reduces flexibility, causing pain and forcing the penis to bend or arc during erection.
Pituitary gland: The main endocrine gland — It produces hormones that control other glands and many body functions including growth.
Premature ejaculation: Ejaculation that occurs sooner than a man wishes, usually before or soon after penetration
Priapism: A persistent, often painful erection that can last from several hours to a few days
Prostate cancer: The most common form of cancer in American men and the second leading cause of cancer death in men — Marked by abnormal growth of cells in the prostate.
Prosthesis: An artificial replacement of a part of the body
Retrograde ejaculation: A condition that occurs when, at orgasm, the ejaculate is forced back into the bladder rather than through the urethra and out the end of the penis
Rheumatologist: A doctor who specializes in disorders of the blood, blood vessels, and connective tissues
Scrotum: The sac of skin that surrounds the testicles
Semen: The fluid containing sperm (the male reproductive cells) that is expelled (ejaculated) through the end of the penis when the man reaches sexual climax (orgasm)
Seminal vesicles: The sac-like pouches that attach to the vas deferens near the base of the urinary bladder — The seminal vesicles produce a sugar-rich fluid called fructose that provides sperm with a source of energy that helps sperm move. The fluid of the seminal vesicles makes up most of the volume of a man’s ejaculatory fluid, or ejaculate.
Sex therapist: A professional counselor for people with sexual disorders
Sex therapy: Counseling for sexual disorders
Shaft of the penis: The long, slender cylinders of tissue inside the penis that contain spongy tissue and expand to produce erections
Sildenafil (Viagra®:):
A medicine used to treat erectile dysfunction that works by increasing the flow of blood into the penis
Sperm: The male reproductive cells
Suppository: A type of medicine designed to melt at body temperature within a body cavity other than the mouth
Tadalafil (Cialis®:): A medicine used to treat erectile dysfunction that works by increasing the flow of blood into the penis
Testicles (testes; singular testis): Part of the male reproductive system — The testicles manufacture the male hormones, including testosterone, and produce sperm, the male reproductive cells. The testicles are located inside the scrotum, the loose sac of skin that hangs below the penis.
Testosterone: The male hormone that is essential for sperm production and the development of male characteristics, including muscle mass and strength, fat distribution, bone mass, and sex drive
Testosterone replacement therapy: Treatment in which the blood testosterone level is returned to the normal range based on the man's age — This is done by administering testosterone either by implantation under the skin, by mouth, with patches, or by injection.
Transurethral therapy: Treatment for erectile dysfunction performed through or by way of the urethra
Tranquilizer: A medicine that relieves anxiety
Tunica alburginea: The membrane surrounding the corpora cavernosa
Ultrasound: A test during which a special device takes a "picture" of the body’s tissues using high-frequency sound waves
Urethra: The tube that carries urine from the bladder to outside of the body
Urinalysis: An analysis of the urine
Urologist: A doctor who is specially trained to treat problems of the male and female urinary system, and the male sex organs
Vacuum constriction device: A device in which pumped air out of a cylinder creates a vacuum, drawing blood into the shaft of the penis and causing it to swell and become erect
Vardenafil (Levitra®:):
A medicine used to treat erectile dysfunction that works by increasing the flow of blood into the penis
Vas deferens: The long, muscular tube that travels from the epididymis into the pelvic cavity, to just behind the urinary bladder — The vas deferens transports mature sperm to the urethra in preparation for ejaculation.
Vascular disease: A disease of the blood vessels
Vascular reconstructive surgery: Surgery performed in an attempt to improve the flow of blood
Vasoactive injection: A test during which an erection is produced by injecting special solutions that cause the blood vessels to dilate
Venous leak: When the veins in the penis cannot prevent blood from leaving the penis during erection, preventing the erection from being maintained
Venous ligation: A procedure during which veins are bound or removed, enabling an adequate amount of blood supply
Viagra®::
The brand name of the medicine sildenafil
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This information is provided by the Cleveland Clinic and is not intended to replace the medical advice of your doctor or health care provider. Please consult your health care provider for advice about a specific medical condition. This document was last reviewed on: 4/26/2007
