Erectile Dysfunction: The Causes and Treatments

The termination of a pregnancy by the loss or destruction of the fetus before it has reached viability.

The period of life, usually around ages 11–16, wherein the brain triggers hormonal changes leading to adulthood (both physically and psychologically).

The inability to have an orgasm.

When the fear or expectation of a possible failure causes an actual failure; a common cause of short-term impotence.

Sexually transmitted disease; extremely deadly; not curable.

Natural family planning method of birth control that uses the woman’s daily body temperature to determine when a woman is ovulating and therefore fertile.

A medical condition in which a man’s prostate gland becomes enlarged, which causes frequent urination; this condition is common with age, is not dangerous, and may be treated with medication or surgery.

A state of interest in sex with members of both sexes in order to determine one’s sexual orientation.

When men or women are sexually attracted only to members of both sexes.

Natural family planning method of birth control that relies on abstinence during the time of month when the woman is fertile and likely to become pregnant.

Fungal infection that is sometimes spread to the genitals through sexual contact (usually oral sex).

Barrier method of birth control using a small cap that fits tightly over the cervix, blocking sperm from entrance.

Natural family planning method of birth control that uses the consistency of the woman’s cervical mucus to determine when a woman is ovulating and therefore fertile.

The entrance to the uterus in a female’s anatomy.

Most common sexually transmitted disease in the United States; hard to diagnose but treatable.

The surgical removal of the penis foreskin.

Period of change when a woman goes through menopause, usually lasting one to two years.

Part of the female genitalia, found within the vulva and the principal organ of female sexual pleasure.

Barrier method of birth control using a sheath that fits over the penis; the best method of protection against sexually transmitted diseases.

The effort to avoid unintended pregnancy via a variety of methods; does not necessarily protect against sexually transmitted disease.

Two spongelike cylindrical tubes that contain the central arteries and lie on the top half of the penis.

A spongelike structure under the two corpus cavernosa that surrounds the urethra and is the pipeline for both urine and sperm.

The penis that is under the skin and not exposed; the proportion of crus to exposed penis is what results in curvature in an erect penis.

Oral-vaginal sex.

Hormonal method of birth control taken via injection.

After a man ejaculates or if his arousal fades, detumescence occurs, in which the brain sends a signal to allow the blood to leave the erect penis, and it returns to its flaccid state.

Barrier method of birth control using a shallow, dome-shaped cup that blocks the whole rear part of the vagina, including the cervix, from sperm.

A phallic (penis-shaped) object that you insert into your vagina to simulate the feelings that you would get from a real penis.

When a man emits sperm from his penis as a result of orgasm.

A lumpy section that lies on top of the testicle.

An infection of the epididymis gland; easily diagnosed by a doctor and treated with antibiotics.

Stiff and hard, generally referring to a penis during a state of arousal.

Physical or psychological condition when a man is unable to have an erection (varying degrees of severity).

A penis that is in a state of arousal, becoming stiff and hard.

A female hormone; plays a key role in triggering the process needed to create a baby; no longer produced after menopause.

Oral-penile sex.

Common sexual position, wherein the woman lies on top and the man lies on bottom.

A sheath of skin that surrounds the glans at birth and opens at the top; may be surgically removed in a process known as circumcision.

The strip of skin connecting the glans to the shaft on the underside of the penis.

The practice of two men rubbing their bodies against each other, usually until climax; considered a safe form of homosexual activity.

Form of female sterilization involving major surgery; see tubal ligation.

Sexually transmitted disease; sometimes linked with cervical cancer; not curable but a vaccine exists.

The head of the penis.

Sexually transmitted disease; curable with medication.

Mutual masturbation in a group, wherein each person uses masturbation methods to sexually pleasure a different person.

Sexually transmitted disease; not curable but a vaccine exists.

Sexually transmitted disease; extremely contagious and can be spread through intimate contact (kissing, etc.) as well as sexual intercourse; not curable.

When men or women are sexually attracted only to others of the opposite sex from themselves.

When men or women are sexually attracted only to others of the same sex as themselves.

Medical treatment for menopause in which estrogen (which is no longer produced by the body) is prescribed to alleviate symptoms; studies vary on safety of HRT.

A sudden feeling of heat that takes over the entire body, common during menopause and perimenopause.

Sexually transmitted virus that is linked to autoimmune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).

The surgical removal of the uterus; results in sterilization but usually done to correct a medical problem.

Hormonal method of birth control that uses a small rod that is implanted into a woman’s arm, effective for three years.

Physical or psychological condition when a man can’t have an erection when he wants one.

Method of birth control that implants a small device into the uterus, using either hormones or copper to prevent pregnancy.

Common form of female sterilization done using a small instrument inserted through a small incision; see tubal ligation.

The desire to have sex.

Sexually pleasuring oneself without the aid of another person.

The opening of the glans.

A girl’s first menstrual period.

The period of time when a woman goes through the changes associated with the end of her egg supply (including the end of menstruation and of producing female hormones); also known as “the change of life.”

The monthly process of releasing eggs in preparation for possible pregnancy in a female’s body.

Common form of female sterilization done using a small instrument inserted through a small incision within 48 hours of giving birth; see tubal ligation.

When the body goes through all the physical manifestations of an orgasm but the woman doesn’t really feel it.

Most common sexual position, wherein the woman lies on bottom and the man lies on top while facing her.

Sexually transmitted virus; treatable.

A layer of fatty tissue that lies above the female’s pubic bone.

Using masturbation methods on a sexual partner, usually to climax; often done in lieu of sexual intercourse.

Birth control method that relies on timed abstinence without other contraceptives.

Erection during REM or “dream” sleep; common in a healthy man’s sleep patterns and not necessarily related to erotic dreams.

Hormonal method of birth control that uses a small, flexible ring inserted into the woman’s vagina.

An intense feeling of physical pleasure, experienced as the culmination of sexual stimulation.

Process in which a woman’s ovaries release and egg, allowing for fertilization.

Hormonal method of birth control applied directly to a woman’s skin via an adhesive patch.

A person who wants to have sex with children and young adults.

A genital infection in a woman that has spread into the deeper organs of her reproductive system, including the uterus, fallopian tubes, or the structures around the ovaries; not technically an STD but may be a consequence of an STD, usually either gonorrhea or chlamydia; can lead to serious consequences if not treated in time.

Period of life preceding menopause, experienced when a woman’s ovaries become resistant to follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and the body reacts with a spike in estrogen; usually lasts about four years but may last anywhere from a few months to 15 years.

The area between the genital organ and the anus.

Medical condition in which the erect penis curves or bends sharply to one side such that sex may be impossible.

Hormonal method of birth control taken orally, available under many names.

The feeling that a man gets just before he reaches the point of no return before orgasm/ejaculation, also called "the moment of inevitability."

Medical condition in which a man suffers from a permanent erection.

A female hormone; plays a key role in triggering the process needed to create a baby; no longer produced after menopause.

The prostate gland, located below the man’s bladder, produces some of the fluids that are contained in the semen, giving semen its whitish color.

An erection caused by an external, non-immediate stimulus that trigger the brain to release hormones that cause an erection.

Lice that live in the pubic area, and whose bites cause intense itching; visible to the naked eye; treatable with over-the-counter medication.

The set of muscles in the genital area that incurs the most contractions during orgasm; found in both men and women.

Medical condition in which a man cannot make himself ejaculate.

Condition such that, during ejaculation, the semen flows backwards into the bladder instead of out of the penis.

The sac of skin at the base of the penis that holds the testicles (once descended).

The statement of what gender (same, opposite, or both) a person is attracted to: homosexual, heterosexual, etc.

Any disease or infection that can be transmitted via sexual intercourse.

Cottage cheese-like substance that can form under an uncircumsised foreskin due to the combination of excretions and dead skin cells; if not cleaned, can lead to infection.

A picture of a fetus taken in utero and made by sound waves.

Chemical that kills sperm, generally applied topically before sexual intercourse as a contraceptive.

Permanent method of preventing unintended pregnancy via surgery; either vasectomy (male) or tubal sterilization (women).

A potentially deadly STD that can be hard to diagnose because it mimics other diseases (starting with canchres); can be transmitted through any intimate contact; treatable in most stages.

Part of the male genitals.

A severe and painful medical condition in which the testicle gets twisted around inside the scrotum and blood no longer flows into it; requires immediate attention.

Most common form of surgery for an enlarged prostate; common side effects include erectile dysfunction and retrograde ejaculation.

The practice of two women rubbing their genitals together while lying one on top of the other.

Sexually transmitted disease; curable with medication.

Contraceptive method in which a woman undergoes sterilization via surgery of the fallopian tubes.

A medical doctor who specializes in the care of the genitourinary tract, the urinary tract in men and women, and the male genital tract.

Uhe muscular, female organ where a fertilized egg develops.

Part of the female genitals; a hollow, muscular tube that extends from the external opening to the cervix.

A condition in which a woman’s vaginal muscles involuntarily tighten up to the point where penetration by the man’s penis is painful or sometimes even impossible.

Sexually transmitted disease; curable with medication.

Part of the male sexual organs; the tubes that carry sperm.

Contraceptive method in which a man undergoes sterilization via surgery of the vas deferens.

Sexual device that provides clitoral stimulation for a woman.

The part of the female genitals that one can see; lies between the mons pubis and the anus. The outer lips are called the labia majora; the inner lips are called the labia minora.