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I Goldstein

Publications and source records attributed to I Goldstein.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

The mutually reinforcing triad of depressive symptoms, cardiovascular disease, and erectile dysfunction.

The conditions of depression, erectile dysfunction (ED), and cardiovascular disease may seem at a superficial level as independent medical problems managed by 3 separate and unrelated healthcare disciplines. Various studies, however, have revealed significant associations between depression and cardiovascular disease, ED and cardiovascular disease, and depression and ED. The purpose of this research was to identify whether the 3 medical conditions share mutually reinforcing associations and predictors. Population-based epidemiologic studies were utilized where possible. Variables including age, heart disease, hypertension, sedentary behavior, related medications, cigarette smoking, and abnormal lipids have been found to be highly associated with depressive symptoms, cardiovascular disease, and ED. It was concluded that all 3 medical conditions share many of the same risk factors and etiologic associations and may be best modeled in a 3-way holistic, mutually reinforcing relation. Of particular relevance, patients with sexual dysfunction have a likely comorbidity of cardiovascular disease and depression, as well as the potential increased risk for cardiac morbidity and mortality.

Causality↗

Management of sexual dysfunction in patients with cardiovascular disease: recommendations of the Princeton Consensus Panel.

Sexual dysfunction is highly prevalent in both sexes and adversely affects patients' quality of life and well being. Given the frequent association between sexual dysfunction and cardiovascular disease, in addition to the potential cardiac risk of sexual activity itself, a consensus panel was convened to develop recommendations for clinical management of sexual dysfunction in patients with cardiovascular disease. Based upon a review of the research and presentations by invited experts, a classification system was developed for stratification of patients into high, low, and intermediate categories of cardiac risk. The large majority of patients are in the low-risk category, which includes patients with (1) controlled hypertension; (2) mild, stable angina; (3) successful coronary revascularization; (4) a history of uncomplicated myocardial infarction (MI); (5) mild valvular disease; and (6) no symptoms and <3 cardiovascular risk factors. These patients can be safely encouraged to initiate or resume sexual activity or to receive treatment for sexual dysfunction. An important exception is the use of sildenafil in patients taking nitrates in any form. Patients in the intermediate-risk category include those with (1) moderate angina; (2) a recent MI (<6 weeks); (3) left ventricular dysfunction and/or class II congestive heart failure; (4) nonsustained low-risk arrhythmias; and (5) >/=3 risk factors for coronary artery disease. These patients should receive further cardiologic evaluation before restratification into the low- or high-risk category. Finally, patients in the high-risk category include those with (1) unstable or refractory angina; (2) uncontrolled hypertension; (3) congestive heart failure (class III or IV); (4) very recent MI (<2 weeks); (5) high-risk arrhythmias; (6) obstructive cardiomyopathies; and (7) moderate-to-severe valvular disease. These patients should be stabilized by specific treatment for their cardiac condition before resuming sexual activity or being treated for sexual dysfunction. A simple algorithm is provided for guiding physicians in the management of sexual dysfunction in patients with varying degrees of cardiac risk.

Adult↗

Management of sexual dysfunction in patients with cardiovascular disease: recommendations of The Princeton Consensus Panel.

Sexual dysfunction is highly prevalent in both sexes and adversely affects patients' quality of life and well being. Given the frequent association between sexual dysfunction and cardiovascular disease, in addition to the potential cardiac risk of sexual activity itself, a consensus panel was convened to develop recommendations for clinical management of sexual dysfunction in patients with cardiovascular disease. Based upon a review of the research and presentations by invited experts, a classification system was developed for stratification of patients into high, low, and intermediate categories of cardiac risk. The large majority of patients are in the low-risk category, which includes patients with (1) controlled hypertension; (2) mild, stable angina; (3) successful coronary revascularization; (4) a history of uncomplicated myocardial infarction (MI); (5) mild valvular disease; and (6) no symptoms and <3 cardiovascular risk factors. These patients can be safely encouraged to initiate or resume sexual activity or to receive treatment for sexual dysfunction. An important exception is the use of sildenafil in patients taking nitrates in any form. Patients in the intermediate-risk category include those with (1) moderate angina; (2) a recent MI (<6 weeks); (3) left ventricular dysfunction and/or class II congestive heart failure; (4) nonsustained low-risk arrhythmias; and (5) >/=3 risk factors for coronary artery disease. These patients should receive further cardiologic evaluation before restratification into the low- or high-risk category. Finally, patients in the high-risk category include those with (1) unstable or refractory angina; (2) uncontrolled hypertension; (3) congestive heart failure (class III or IV); (4) very recent MI (<2 weeks); (5) high-risk arrhythmias; (6) obstructive cardiomyopathies; and (7) moderate-to-severe valvular disease. These patients should be stabilized by specific treatment for their cardiac condition before resuming sexual activity or being treated for sexual dysfunction. A simple algorithm is provided for guiding physicians in the management of sexual dysfunction in patients with varying degrees of cardiac risk.

Humans↗

[Does incidence of hepatitis A increase during shmitah (the Sabbatical year)?].

In Israel the biblical injunction of the sabbatical year (shmitah) prevails, whereby all Jewish-owned land should lie fallow during every seventh year. Consequently, it is customary for members of the orthodox Jewish community to eat only produce grown by non-Jews (Arabs). Many Arab farmers use sewage water for irrigation and since such water could be infected with hepatitis A virus (HAV), there is concern about the possibility of HAV epidemics during the sabbatical year. We therefore we examined the data of the Israeli Center for Disease Control (ICDC). We found no obvious increase in incidence of viral hepatitis during, nor in the year immediately after, all sabbatical years since 1951. However, the data was not comprehensive as it included only partial information on morbidity from HAV in our Jewish inhabitants. Also, there was no data specific for the orthodox Jewish community, which is especially at risk for HAV from sewage-irrigated vegetables. Irrespective of shmitah, there should be constant effort to prevent HAV infection in Israel.

Agriculture↗

Cross-regulation of intracellular cGMP and cAMP in cultured human corpus cavernosum smooth muscle cells.

The goal of this study was to assess the potential cross-regulation of cyclic nucleotides in human corpus cavernosum (HCC). Incubation of primary cultures of HCC smooth muscle cells with either the NO donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP, 10 microM) or the phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE 5) inhibitor sildenafil (50 nM) produced little or no changes in the intracellular cGMP levels. Incubation with both SNP and sildenafil produced marked increases in cGMP. Interestingly, incubation of cells with 10 microM of forskolin or PGE(1) produced significant enhancement of cGMP accumulation. These increases were not further enhanced by the addition of SNP and sildenafil. Kinetic analyses of cGMP hydrolysis by PDE 5 showed that high concentrations of cAMP reversibly inhibited the enzyme with a K(i) of 258 +/- 54 microM. The increase in cGMP levels in response to cAMP generating agents is not due to assay artifact since cAMP did not cross-react with cGMP antibody. Our data suggest that cAMP up-regulates intracellular levels of cGMP, in part, by inhibition of PDE 5. We also noted that cGMP down-regulates cAMP synthesis via a mechanism requiring G-protein coupling of adenylyl cyclase. These observations may have important implications in the utility of pharmacotherapeutic agents targeting cyclic nucleotide metabolism for the treatment of erectile dysfunction.

3',5'-Cyclic-GMP Phosphodiesterases↗

Intracavernous alprostadil alfadex is more efficacious, better tolerated, and preferred over intraurethral alprostadil plus optional actis: a comparative, randomized, crossover, multicenter study.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the efficacy, safety, and patient preference of intracavernously administered alprostadil alfadex and intraurethrally administered alprostadil. METHODS: A crossover, randomized, open-label multicenter study of 111 patients with erectile dysfunction of at least 6 months' duration compared the efficacy, safety, and patient preference of intracavernosal alprostadil (EDEX/Viridal) with MUSE plus optional ACTIS. All patients underwent an in-office dose titration with either drug before undertaking an at-home treatment phase. The most frequently used doses during the at-home phase were 40 microg (44.1% of men) and 1000 microg (86.8% of men) for EDEX and MUSE, respectively; the mean doses were 26.1 microg and 922.5 microg for EDEX and MUSE, respectively. RESULTS: More EDEX than MUSE administrations resulted in an erection sufficient for sexual intercourse (82.5% versus 53.0%); significantly more patients using EDEX achieved at least one erection sufficient for sexual intercourse (92.6% versus 61.8%; P <0.0001); and EDEX use resulted in a significantly greater percentage of patients attaining at least 75% of erections sufficient for sexual intercourse (75% versus 36.8%; P <0.0001). Penile pain was the most common side effect for both medications: 20.0% versus 30.5% (in-office) and 33.8% versus 25.0% (at-home) for EDEX and MUSE, respectively. Similar numbers of adverse events were reported with either treatment during the at-home phase. Patient and partner satisfaction was greater with EDEX, and more patients preferred this therapy, choosing to continue it during a patient preference period at the end of the study. CONCLUSIONS: Since intracavernous injection therapy was more efficacious, better tolerated, and preferred by the patients and their partners, it should be offered as the first-choice treatment if oral therapy fails or is contraindicated.

Adult↗

Intracavernous alprostadil alfadex (EDEX/VIRIDAL) is effective and safe in patients with erectile dysfunction after failing sildenafil (Viagra).

OBJECTIVES: Sildenafil (Viagra), an oral treatment for erectile dysfunction, has proved popular since its introduction in 1998. However, not all patients respond to this form of therapy. Consequently, this study investigated the efficacy of intracavernous alprostadil alfadex (EDEX/VIRIDAL) treatment in patients not responding to sildenafil. METHODS: In an open-label, multicenter study, patients with erectile dysfunction were treated with sildenafil for 4 weeks. The initial dose was 50 mg, which was increased to 100 mg if no response was achieved. Patients not responding to treatment, measured using the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) questionnaire, entered an alprostadil alfadex in-office titration phase, to determine the optimal dose, up to 40 microgram. A 6-week alprostadil alfadex at-home treatment phase followed. RESULTS: In 67 patients who did not respond satisfactorily to sildenafil, the alprostadil alfadex at-home therapy resulted in improvements in questions 3 and 4 of the IIEF in 60 (89.6%) and 57 (85.1%) patients, respectively. The mean improvement in IIEF score for these patients was 2.75 and 2.63 for questions 3 and 4, respectively. The most common side effect was penile pain in 25 (29. 4%) of 85 patients treated with alprostadil alfadex in-office and at home. CONCLUSIONS: Alprostadil alfadex therapy can be used effectively and safely in men who fail initial therapy with sildenafil.

Administration, Oral↗

Regulation of pre-synaptic alpha adrenergic activity in the corpus cavernosum.

The neurotransmitters and vasoactive substances regulating tone in the smooth muscle of the penile arteries/arterioles and the trabeculae of the corpora cavernosa are critical mediators of the state of penile erection. Contemporary research reveals a coordinated, intricate interplay between the pathways of vasorelaxation and vasoconstriction representing a most efficient physiological mechanism to initiate and maintain penile erection. This paper will focus on the role of the adrenergic constrictor pathways in penile erection and, more specifically, on the pre-junctional adrenergic mechanisms that regulate smooth muscle constriction. All neurogenic constrictor responses are related to the release of norepinephrine from adrenergic nerves that act on post-junctional alpha-1 and pre-junctional and post-junctional alpha-2 receptor subtypes. Based on the current state of knowledge, there are at least three pre-junctional mechanisms regulating penile smooth muscle tone. First, norepinephrine release from the adrenergic nerves binds to the pre-junctional alpha-2 adrenoceptor on the adrenergic nerves and negatively regulates norepinephrine release. Blockade of this reaction by selective alpha-2 receptor antagonists (e.g. yohimbine or delequamine) will enhance norepinephrine release. Second, norepinephrine release from the adrenergic nerves binds to the pre-junctional alpha-2 adrenoceptor on the non-adrenergic, non-cholinergic (NANC) nerves and inhibits nitric oxide synthesis and release. Blockade of this reaction by selective alpha-2 receptor antagonists (e.g. yohimbine or delequamine) will enhance nitric oxide release, facilitating erection. Finally, cholinergic nerves pre-junctionally inhibit norepinephrine release from the adrenergic nerve and stimulate the NANC nerve to increase nitric oxide synthesis and release. These observations indicate that different neurotransmitters regulate the adrenergic neurotransmission pathway. Based on the above concepts for pre-junctional and post-junctional regulation of smooth muscle tone, the most efficacious strategy to reduce adrenergic activity and facilitate penile erection is to combine alpha-1 and alpha-2 adrenergic receptor antagonists. In this case, any enhancement of norepinephrine release is of little importance because the alpha-1 receptor antagonist will impede this vasoconstrictor response. This will also enhance the release of nitric oxide, which increases smooth muscle relaxation and decreases contraction resulting in penile erection.

Animals↗

Alpha-adrenergic receptor blockade by phentolamine increases the efficacy of vasodilators in penile corpus cavernosum.

Penile trabecular smooth muscle tone, a major determinant of erectile function, is highly regulated by numerous inter- and intracellular pathways. The interaction between pathways mediating contraction and relaxation has not been studied in detail. To this end, we investigated the functional effects of alpha adrenergic receptor blockade with phentolamine and its interaction with vasodilators (sildenafil, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) and PGE1) that elevate cyclic nucleotides on penile cavernosal smooth muscle contractility. In organ bath preparations of cavernosal tissue strips contracted with phenylephrine, phentolamine significantly enhanced relaxation induced by sildenafil, VIP and PGE1. Sildenafil, VIP or PGE1 also significantly enhanced relaxation induced by phentolamine in cavernosal tissue strips contracted with phenylephrine. To study the effects of alpha adrenergic receptor blockade and modification of cyclic nucleotide metabolism during active neurogenic input, cavernosal tissue strips in organ bath preparations were contracted with the non-adrenergic agonist endothelin-1 and subjected to electrical field stimulation (EFS) in the absence or presence of phentolamine and/or sildenafil. EFS (5-40Hz) typically caused biphasic relaxation and contraction responses. Phentolamine alone enhanced relaxation and reduced or prevented contraction to EFS. Sildenafil enhanced relaxation to EFS at lower frequencies (< or = 5 Hz). The combination of phentolamine and sildenafil enhanced EFS-induced relaxation at all frequencies tested. EFS, in the presence of 10 nM phentolamine and 30 nM sildenafil, produced enhanced relaxation responses which were quantitatively similar to those obtained in the presence of 50 nM sildenafil alone. Thus, blockade of alpha-adrenergic receptors with phentolamine increases the efficacy of cyclic nucleotide-dependent vasodilators. Furthermore, phentolamine potentiates relaxation and attenuates contraction in response to endogenous neurotransmitters which are released during EFS. These findings suggest that antagonism of alpha-adrenergic signaling enables other independent relaxatory pathways to predominate within penile trabecular smooth muscle.

Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists↗

Atherosclerosis-induced chronic arterial insufficiency causes clitoral cavernosal fibrosis in the rabbit.

In our previous studies we found that aging-associated fibrosis of clitoral cavernosal tissue correlated with the prevalence of cardiovascular disease in elderly women. The aim of this study was to determine specifically, arterial insufficiency-related structural changes of clitoral cavernosal tissue in a rabbit model. New Zealand white female rabbits were divided into clitoral cavernosal ischemia (CCI, n = 5) and control (n = 5) groups. The CCI group underwent balloon endothelial injury of the iliac arteries and received 0.5% cholesterol diet. The control group received a regular diet. After 16 weeks, arteriography was performed then the animals were sacrificed. The iliac arteries and the entire clitoris were removed. Cross-sections of the iliac arteries and clitoris were processed for histologic evaluation The percentage of smooth muscle and connective tissue in trichrome stained sections of clitoral cavernosal tissue was determined by computer-assisted histomorphometry. Arteriography revealed diffused occlusive disease in the common iliac, internal iliac and pudendal arteries in the CCI group. Histology showed that arterial occlusive disease spreads from the site of balloon injury to the smaller branches involving the clitoral cavernosal arteries. Diffuse fibrosis was observed in the clitoral cross-sections of the CCI group. The percentage of clitoral cavernosal smooth muscle (mean +/- standard error) in the CCI group (53% +/- 0.9%) was significantly decreased compared with the control group (62% +/- 0.8%) (P = 0.0001). Chronic clitoral cavernosal ischemia causes significant fibrosis and loss of smooth muscle in the clitoral cavernosal tissue. These findings suggest that chronic clitoral cavernosal arterial insufficiency may play a role in the pathophysiology of female sexual arousal disorders.

Angiography↗

Axial penile rigidity as primary efficacy outcome during multi-institutional in-office dose titration clinical trials with alprostadil alfadex in patients with erectile dysfunction. Alprostadil Alfadex Study Group.

The purpose of the study was to utilize axial penile buckling testing as a primary efficacy variable of erection quality during multi-institutional in-office dose titration testing with alprostadil alfadex, prostaglandin E1 (PGE1)-alpha-cyclodextrin, (EDEX /VIRIDAL, Schwarz Pharma) in patients with erectile dysfunction. In 41 study sites, in three different dose titration studies involving 894 patients with impotence >6 months, a buckling test was performed and repeated every 10 min for up to 60 min, within 30 min following alprostadil alfadex administration, or when two consecutive circumference measurements reached maximum values. The buckling device consisted of a standard weight scale attached to a 2 inch diameter plastic cap with a concavity on its ventral surface (H. Eric Richards, Inc., Canton MA). A positive test was associated with absent penile shaft buckling to a downward force of 1.0 kg, slowly applied to the glans in the axis of the erect shaft. A total of 630 (71%) patients experienced at least one positive buckling test. Three consecutive positive buckling tests, implying a functionally rigid erection for at least 20 min, were noted in 521 (58%) patients. There were high correlations between the presence of three consecutive positive buckling tests following alprostadil alfadex injection and the patient's (83% of cases) and the investigator's (88% of cases) evaluation of adequacy of erection for intercourse. Similarly, there were high correlations between the presence of negative buckling tests and the patient's (95% of cases) and the investigator's (96% of cases) evaluation of inadequacy of erection for intercourse. The axial penile buckling test offers a simple, reliable, and inexpensive method to objectively quantify erectile response following in-office dose titration of intracavernosal alprostadil alfadex. The high correlation to subjective patient/investigator assessment adds to the validity of the test.

Adult↗

Systemic administration of apomorphine improves the hemodynamic mechanism of clitoral and vaginal engorgement in the rabbit.

Clitoral and vaginal engorgement during sexual stimulation depend in part on the increase of arterial inflow. It has been shown that apomorphine (APO), a non-selective dopamine receptor agonist, produces penile erection by activating dopaminergic receptors in the central nervous system. Our aim was to study whether systemic administration of APO improves the hemodynamic mechanism of clitoral and vaginal engorgement in the rabbit. Female New Zealand white rabbits (3.5-4 kg, n=6) were anesthetized. To examine sexual arousal function, the vaginal/clitoral branch of the pelvic nerve was stimulated electrically and maximal increases in clitoral intracavernosal and vaginal wall blood flows and pressures were recorded. After this APO was injected intravenously in a dose-response manner (0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3 and 0.4 mg/kg) and nerve stimulation was performed after each dose. Changes in nerve-stimulated increase of clitoral intracavernosal and vaginal blood flows and pressures after APO was compared to those recorded before APO. Electrical stimulation of the vaginal/clitoral branch of the pelvic nerve significantly increased clitoral intracavernosal and vaginal wall blood flows in the rabbit. Intravenous administration of APO caused concentration dependent increase in nerve stimulation-induced peak clitoral intracavernosal and vaginal wall blood flows reaching to statistically significant at the concentration of 0.1 and 0.2 mg/kg. Inravenous administration of APO greater than 0.2 mg/kg (0.3 and 0.4 mg/kg) were less effective or produced adverse effects on clitoral intracavernosal and vaginal wall blood flows. Intravenous APO also tended to increase nerve-stimulated increase of clitoral intracavernosal and vaginal wall pressures, but the effect was not statistically significant. In conclusion, our studies suggest that systemic administration of APO may improve clitoral and vaginal engorgement by increasing clitoral intracavernosal and vaginal wall arterial inflow.

Animals↗

Screening for erectile dysfunction: rationale.

A number of epidemiologic and clinical studies that have examined the relationship between erectile dysfunction, depression and cardiovascular disease are reviewed. Hypothetical mechanisms that can explain the correlations observed among these phenomena are described and a mutually reinforcing predictive model is proposed. International Journal of Impotence Research (2000) 12, Suppl 4, S147-S151.

Cardiovascular Diseases↗

Female sexual arousal disorder: new insights.

Epidemiologic investigations of women with female sexual dysfunction (FSD) from well-designed, random-sample, community-based populations are limited. Based on available information, FSD is common and estimated to occur in 22-43% of women. There are limited data on age-related and para-aging risk factors, which are critical to understand when planning treatment and prevention efforts. Based on correlates of FSD, associated risk factors include age, education, history of sexual abuse or sexually transmitted disease, overall state general happiness and physical health. This brief overview attempts to review what is known about the female sexual anatomy, describes factors that may affect female sexual responsiveness, and identifies several areas where additional research is needed to promote understanding of this complex physiological and psychosocial phenomenon. International Journal of Impotence Research (2000) 12, Suppl 4, S152-S157.

Female↗

Sildenafil augments pelvic nerve-mediated female genital sexual arousal in the anesthetized rabbit.

The NO-cGMP pathway has been implicated in clitoral and vaginal smooth muscle relaxation based on previous immunochemical, biochemical and physiologic studies. There are limited data from in vivo studies demonstrating enhancement of the genital sexual arousal response by pharmacologic agents influencing the NO-cGMP pathway. The goal of this study was to investigate if sildenafil, a phosphodiesterase type-5 inhibitor, facilitated female genital sexual arousal in an animal model in response to pelvic nerve stimulation (PNS). Using female New Zealand White rabbits, we measured the following parameters before, during and after PNS at 4, 16, and 32 Hz: a) hemoglobin concentration and oxygen saturation in female genital (vaginal, labial, clitoral) tissues by laser oximetry; b) clitoral blood flow by laser Doppler flowmetry; c) vaginal luminal pressure by a balloon catheter pressure transducer; d) vaginal lubrication by tampon. Sildenafil was administered intravenously (0.21 microg/kg, 0.42 microg/kg, 2.1 microg/kg) to achieve a systemic concentration of 5, 10 and 50 nM, respectively. After 20 minutes, physiologic measurements were repeated. Sildenafil (50 nM) caused a significant increase in genital oxyhemoglobin concentration and a significant decrease in genital deoxyhemoglobin concentration. Sildenafil also increased the duration of response following PNS, relative to genital hemoglobin concentration and mean clitoral blood flow. Sildenafil caused a decrease in vaginal luminal pressure and resulted in an increase in vaginal lubrication. These data indicate that the NO-cGMP pathway is involved in the physiologic mechanism of female genital arousal and that sildenafil facilitates this response in an in vivo animal model.

Anesthesia↗

The mechanics of corporal veno-occlusion in penile erection: a theory on the effect of stretch-associated luminal constrictability on outflow resistance.

In order to further our understanding of the physiology of corporal veno-occlusion, we developed a theory of a possible contribution to corporal venous outflow resistance which occurs as the result of venule stretching with resultant luminal narrowing when penile volume increases during the erection process. We stretched non-biological tubes and rabbit abdominal vena cava segments, performed flow-based and volume-based experiments to calculate the magnitude of N, the newly defined 'stretch-associated luminal constrictability' factor. We solved for (R(s)/R(u)), the ratio of the venule fluid resistance in the stretched state (R(s)) to the unstretched state (R(u)), to quantify the projected increases in fluid resistance as well as Q.R(u) where Q is the subtunical venule flow rate. For a given tube, N was found to be essentially constant for different amounts of stretch. A theory was formulated which predicted R(s) and Q as a function of N, DeltaP (intracavernosal pressure increase); V(E)/V(F) (tunical distensibility); X (cavernosal expandability) and R(u). Based on the magnitude of N=2, this theory predicts that patients with the highest values of both V(E)/V(F) and X would have maximal R(s) values, approaching infinity (complete occlusion) at a low DeltaP near 5 mmHg. In contrast, patients with low values of both V(E)/V(F) (eg Peyronie's disease) and X (eg corporal fibrosis), would be predicted to have minimal R(s) values. For example, a hypothetical patient with the lowest values of V(E)/V(F) and X would yield R(s) values only approaching 7.9 times that of unstretched values at a DeltaP increase of 90 mmHg. We concluded to that stretch-associated venule resistance may occur as a result of decreased sub-tunical venule diameter and increased sub-tunical venule length. In individual patients, stretch-associated venule resistance may either dominate or be a minor component of the overall mechanism of corporal veno-occlusion.

Animals↗

Anatomy and physiology of female sexual function and dysfunction: classification, evaluation and treatment options.

Female sexual dysfunction is a significant age-related, progressive and highly prevalent problem that affects a substantial number of women in the United States. The female sexual response cycle is initiated by neurotransmitter-mediated vascular and nonvascular smooth muscle relaxation resulting in increased pelvic blood flow, vaginal lubrication, and clitoral and labial engorgement. These mechanisms are mediated by a combination of neuromuscular and vasocongestive events. Physiological impairments that interfere with the normal female sexual response bring about complaints associated with diminished sexual arousal, libido, vaginal lubrication, genital sensation, and ability to achieve orgasm. Therapy aimed at restoring hormone levels as well as genital blood flow will be discussed.

Female↗