Impact of Frequency of Intercourse on Erectile Dysfunction: A Cross-sectional Study in Wuhan, China

This study was aimed to investigate the influence of coital frequency and masturbation on erectile dysfunction （ED） in Chinese patients. A total of 332 male outpatients with or without ED and volunteers were recruited from Zhongnan Hospital, Wuhan University, China. ED was assessed by using the five-item International Index of Erectile Function scale and the frequency of intercourse by patients＇ self-report. After adjusting for lifestyle factors and diseases-related factors, the analyses showed that coital and masturbation in a certain frequency tended to decrease the risk of ED. Men reporting intercourse once a week had lower risk of ED than those did less than once a week, with age, hyperlipidemia, hy-pertension, diabetes, body mass index, smoking, and drinking as covariates （P=0.67, adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 0.84; 95% confidence interval [CI]： 0.37-1.88）. For those reporting coital frequency two times per week and three or more times per week, there were 63% （adjusted OR = 0.37; 95% CI： 0.18-0.77） and 85% （adjusted OR = 0.15; 95% CI： 0.07-0.35） lower risk of ED than those reporting intercourse frequency less than once per week, respectively （P〈0.05）. Results indicated that maintaining a regular frequency of intercourse can reduce the risk of ED for males aged among 30 to 75 years.

Treatment of Vasculogenic Erectile Dysfunction with Piezowave2 Device. Application of Low Intensity Shockwaves Using Novel Linear Shockwave Tissue Coverage (LSTC-ED®) Technique. A Prospective, Multicentric, Placebo-Controlled Study

Low intensity shockwave (LiSW) treatment is known to improve revascularization. The method has been evaluated and is used to treat vasculogenic erectile dysfunction (ED). The present study aimed to demonstrate the efficacy of a linear focused piezoelectric shockwave device (Richard Wolf/ELvationPiezowave2) to treat patients with vasculogenic ED using a novel linear shockwave tissue coverage LSTC-ED® technique. A total of 75 patients were treated using the Piezowave2 device and the LSTC-ED® technique. Patients’ erectile function was evaluated using the modified IIEF-5 (International Index of Erectile Function) scale at the beginning of treatment and at 1 month post treatment;patients were additionally questioned using our own Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire (TSQ). The study also included a group of 50 patients treated by placebo;the outcomes of both groups were compared. The average IIEF-5 score of patients in the treatment group increased from 14.4 at baseline to 18.6 at 1 month post treatment. According to the IIEF-5 scale, treatment was successful in 81.33% of patients (61/75). According to the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire (answers 1 to 3 of the TSQ), treatment was successful in 77.3% of patients (58/75). In the placebo group of 50 patients only 5 patients showed an improvement based on IIEF score, and 8 reported an improvement based on their answers to the TSQ. No significant adverse effects were observed during treatment or in the follow-up period. The Piezowave2 device and the LSTC-ED® technique proved to be suitable and effective to treat erectile dysfunction.

The application of color Doppler flow imaging in the diagnosis and therapeutic effect evaluation of erectile dysfunction

We aim to investigate the correlations between hemodynamic parameters, penile rigidity grading, and the therapeutic effects of phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors using color Doppler flow imaging after intracavernosal injection in patients with erectile dysfunction. This study involved 164 patients. After intracavernosal injection with a mixture of papaverine （60 mg）, prostaglandin E1 （10 μg）, and lidocaine （2%, 0.5-1 ml）, the penile vessels were assessed using color Doppler flow imaging. Penile rigidity was classified based on the Erection Hardness Score system as Grades 4, 3, 2 or 1 （corresponding to Schramek Grades Ⅴ to Ⅱ）. Then, the patients were given oral sildenafil （50-100 mg） and scored according to the International Index of Erectile Function （IIEF-5） questionnaire. The number of patients with penile rigidities of Schramek Grades Ⅱ to Ⅴ was 14, 18, 21, and 111, respectively. The IIEF-5 score was positively correlated with the refilling index of the penile cavernosal artery （r = 0.79, P 〈 0.05）, the peak systolic velocity （r= 0.45, P〈 0.05）, and penile rigidity （r= 0.75, P〈 0.05）, and was negatively correlated with the end diastolic velocity （r = -0.74, P 〈 0.05）. For patients with erectile dysfunction, both the IIEF-5 score after sildenafil administration, which is correlated with penile rigidity, and the hemodynamic parameters detected using color Doppler flow imaging may predict the effects of phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor treatment and could provide a reasonable model for the targeted-treatment of erectile dysfunction.