Erectile dysfunction (ED)

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is the inability to get or keep an erection firm enough to have sexual intercourse. It is also referred to as impotence.

Occasional ED is not uncommon. Many men experience it during times of stress. However, frequent ED can be a sign of health problems that need treatment. It can also be a sign of emotional or relationship difficulties that may need to be addressed by a professional.

Causes of Erectile Dysfunction

Many diseases and, their treatment can lead to erectile dysfunction (ED). So can injuries, lifestyle choices, and other physical factors. ED can often be treated, and finding the right cause can lead to successful treatment.

•Diabetes: This chronic disease can damage the nerves and blood vessels that aid in getting an erection. When the disease has not been well controlled over time, it can double a man's risk of erection problems.

•Kidney disease: Kidney disease can affect many of the things you need for a healthy erection, including your hormones, blood flow to your penis, and parts of your nervous system.

•Neurological (nerve and brain) disorders: You can't get an erection without help from your nervous system, and diseases that disrupt signals between your brain and your penis can lead to ED. Such diseases include stroke, multiple sclerosis (MS), Alzheimer's disease, and Parkinson's disease.

•Blood vessel diseases: Vascular diseases can block the blood vessels. That slows the flow of blood to the penis, making an erection difficult to get.  Atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), high blood pressure, and high cholesterol are among the most common causes of ED.

•Prostate cancer: Prostate cancer doesn't cause ED, but treatments can lead to temporary or permanent erectile dysfunction.

There are many other potential causes:

•Surgery: Surgery for both prostate cancer and bladder can damage nerves and tissues necessary for an erection. 

•Injury: Injuries to the pelvis, bladder, spinal cord, and penis that require surgery also can cause ED.

•Hormone problems.

•Tobacco, alcohol, or drug use: All three can damage your blood vessels. 

•Prescription drugs: There are more than 200 prescription drugs that can cause ED.

Treatment of Erectile dysfunction with Stem Cells:

Adipose derived stem cells (ADSCs) are a somatic stem cell population contained in fat tissue that possess the ability for self-renewal, differentiation into one or more phenotypes and functional regeneration of damaged tissue, which will benefit the recovery of erectile function by using a stem cell based therapy.