Treatment of patients with erectile dysfunction by physiotherapy. Literature review

Abstract

Erectile dysfunction is one of the most frequent sexual disorders in men and is found in 10-52% of men in the general population. The disease is polyetiological, involving psychogenic, vascular, neurological, urological, and endocrine mechanisms. The relevance of this problem lies in the high damage to the mental health of the patient, leading to a deterioration in his quality of life. In addition, drug therapy with the use of type 5 phosphodiesterase inhibitors is accompanied by headaches, skin flushing, heartburn, nasal congestion and dizziness, visual impairment, and muscle pain. In this regard, it became necessary to use physiotherapeutic methods of treatment to restore erectile function with minimal side effects. This review also presents pathogenetic substantiated basic physiotherapeutic methods for treating patients with erectile dysfunction using pelvic floor muscle training, aerobic sports exercises, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, manual therapy and mechanical vibration therapy.