Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH): A non-malignant growth of the prostate which is more common in older men, characterized by difficulty with urinating or, slow to start, a weak stream, dribbling after urinating and nocturia (night-time urination).

Caverject: A medication used for injection into the penis to increase blood flow to the penis resulting in an erection.

Ejaculation: Process by which the ejaculate (made up of mature sperm, prostate fluid and seminal fluid), is directed out of the body via the urethra.

Erectile Dysfunction: The inability to obtain and/or maintain an erection sufficient for sexual activity.

Erectile tissue: Two (2) rod shaped cylinders located in the shaft of the penis which fill with blood when stimulated and an erection results.

Hormone Replacement Therapy: Hormones, e.g. testosterone in males, estrogen in females, may be prescribed when a deficiency is found.

Intracorporal Injections (ICI): One method of therapy for erectile dysfunction in which a medication is injected into the base of the penis causing increased blood flow to the penis.

Libido: Sexual desire.

MUSE®: A medicated pellet is deposited into the urethra (urine tube) and the penis is "rolled" between two hands. Erection occurs when pellet is absorbed.

Orgasm (or climax): The result of sexual stimulation, characterized by involuntary contraction of the muscles in genitalia causing the ejaculation of semen in males.

Penile Implants: When all treatment has failed for erectile dysfunction, the patient may opt for surgical implantation of soft or inflatable rods to replace the erectile tissue.

Peyronie's Disease: A deposit of scar tissue or plaque in the erectile tissue in the penis, sometimes causing painful and curved erections.

Prostate: A donut-shaped gland which is located just below the bladder and surrounds the bladder neck and urethra.

Prostate Cancer: This is a slow-growing malignant growth that starts within the prostate.

Psychotherapy: Therapy dealing with emotional or psychological aspects of a problem.

Tension Ring: Rubber rings which are applied to the base of the penis (after obtaining an erection), in order to sustain the erection.

Vacuum Erectile Device (VED) or Vacuum Tumescence Device (VTD): A tube providing negative pressure, causes the blood to be pulled into the penis. To maintain the erection, a tension ring must be used.

Viagra™: A new oral medication by Pfizer Inc., for erectile dysfunction. This medication increases the blood flow to the penis by blocking a specific enzyme and relaxes the smooth muscles in the penis.

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