Erectile dysfunction is a permanent inability to achieve and maintain an erection sufficient for the satisfying sexual intercourse. Erectile dysfunction affects the physical and psychosocial health, as well as the quality of life of the patient and his family.

Erectile dysfunction can develop due to changes in blood vessels, nerves, the structure of the male sexual organs, hormonal imbalance, due to the influence of drugs, radiation, surgical procedures or psychological influences. There are various clinical forms of the disorder which, among other things, can be classified, according to their severity, as mild, moderate or severe erectile dysfunction.

Risk factors for the development of erectile dysfunction are: lack of physical activity, obesity, smoking, elevated blood fat concentrations, kidney disease, diabetes, etc. Erectile dysfunction and cardiovascular disease have common risk factors and can often be diagnosed in the same patient.

Diagnosis of erectile dysfunction is based on the clinical use of validated questionnaires which can help in the assessment of the disorder severity or efficiency of therapy (International Index of Erectile Function – IIEF), physical examination, routine or specific laboratory tests, hormone analyses etc.

Treatment of erectile dysfunction includes, primarily, establishing the true cause of the disease. Change of the lifestyle and elimination of the risk factors for the development of the disorder are necessary for the majority of patients, which improves also the general health of the patient. Treatment of erectile dysfunction includes specific drugs, hormonal therapy, as well as other methods aimed at improving the patient’s condition, depending on the cause of the disease. Dietary supplements with proven clinical efficacy can also be used in the therapy of endothelial function disorders, alone or in combination with drugs.