For a man to keep an erection rigid during sexual intercourse, blood needs to stay in the penis until the man ejaculates. Veno-occlusion, the constriction of veins, occurs to trap the blood inside.

Once the man climaxes, the veins will dilate and blood flows back into the body.

If the veins do not constrict enough, blood will leak back into the body, losing the erection. Many men with this type of erectile dysfunction find that they can get a firm erection at first, but are unable to maintain rigidity.

Erectile dysfunction is the inability to achieve and maintain an erection firm enough to have sexual intercourse, affecting up to 43.5% of men in their sixties [1].

The main cause for erectile dysfunction is venous leak, presented in over 80% of cases in Singapore.

SYMPTOMS

Inability to sustain an erection for sexual intercourse.

CAUSES/RISK FACTORS

• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Diabetes
• Peripheral vascular disease
• Excessive stress
• Obesity
• Family history of atherosclerosis
• Smoking
• Anxiety

DIAGNOSIS

• Doppler ultrasound – To examine blood flow in and out of the penis.
• Cavernosography – To visualise venous leakage using radiographic contrast.

OUR TREATMENT

Endovascular (retrograde/anterograde) embolisation

• The embolisation of the periprostatic venous plexus via inserting a thin catheter into the deep dorsal vein or femoral vein.
• X-ray fluoroscopy is used to guide the catheter towards the affected vein and an injection of  small titanium coils and embolic agents will seal off the affected vein(s) permanently.

What you can expect

• This procedure is performed under light sedation and patients are usually discharged on the same day from our centre.
• Minimal pain and discomfort.
• No surgical scar.
• Quick return to daily activities.

Who would be eligible for this procedure?

• Patients who are diagnosed with venous leak.
• Patients who want to avoid invasive surgery.

Click here to download our Venous Leak and Erectile Dysfunction brochure

References:

Related Articles