Aging and erectile dysfunction: the role of aging and concomitant chronic illness.

Erectile dysfunction (ED) can have a strong negative effect on the well-being and quality of life of the sufferer. Many factors may contribute to the development of this disorder; age in particular and also concomitant chronic illnesses including neurological, hormonal, arterial and cavernosal factors. An understanding of the prevalence and characteristics of risk factors for ED is required, in order to establish effective therapeutic strategies. However, the prevalence of ED depends on the definitions used and the use of an internationally established scale for the assessment of male sexual function is necessary to facilitate the comparison of data between different countries. Further epidemiologic research and analysis of individual risk factors is required. Such studies will clarify the interactive effects of organic factors and their probable etiology with the general physical, sociocultural and psychologic status of patients. These efforts will make it possible to design more effective future strategies for the treatment and prevention of ED.