The prevalence of erectile dysfunction at a primary healthcare clinic in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal

Advances in Nanoparticle Delivery System for Erectile Dysfunction: An Updated Review

INTRODUCTION

The use of current available treatment for male erectile dysfunction (ED) has some limitations that are related to efficacy and adverse effects. Nanotechnology has been used as a new tool in medicine to improve these limitations and new medications potentially to alleviate and cure ED.

AIM

To review the currently literature on new nano medications for ED based on scientific and clinical studies, efficacy, safety, mechanisms of action, and to identify gaps for future research.

METHODS

A comprehensive literature review was conducted via Google Scholar, Science Direct, and PubMed on English publications using different keywords such as "erectile dysfunction", "emerging treatments", "nanotechnology", and "herbal medicine". The retrieved papers were organized into groups according to the sections covered in this review paper.

MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURES

We reviewed novel ED treatments such as nanotechnological phosphodiesterase inhibitors, papaverine hydrochloride, sialorphin, adipose tissue-derived stem cells, sonic hedgehog, and herbal medicine.

RESULTS

Numerous preclinical studies have addressed novel phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors nanoparticle, and their recent delivery systems. Nitric oxide, sialorphin, sonic hedgehog, and herbal medicine loaded nanoparticles and nano adipose tissue-derived stem cells as a potential new treatment for ED. In addition, papaverine-containing nanoparticles have been reported. A limited number of randomized clinical studies have determined the mechanism of these treatments.

CONCLUSION

A literature review on the application of nanotechnology in ED therapy was successfully conducted. New nano medications are promising to treat ED. However, further studies are warranted to further assess their efficacy and safety. Masuku NP, Unuofin JO, Lebelo SL. Advances in Nanoparticle Delivery System for Erectile Dysfunction: An Updated Review. Sex Med 2021;XX:XXXXXX.

Promising role of medicinal plants in the regulation and management of male erectile dysfunction

Male erectile dysfunction (ED) refers to incompetency to reaching and retaining adequate penile tumescence for sexual intercourse. Over 152 million men globally suffer from ED and by 2025, the number of affected individuals is anticipated to be around 322 million. Pharmacological and nonpharmacological therapies such as phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitors, alprostadil, penile prosthesis surgery, and hormonal replacement are available for management and recuperation of ED. Nevertheless, such therapies are reported to have adverse effects as well as life-threatening. Accordingly, diversity of medicinal plant species and bioactive active compounds are preferred as therapeutic options because they are natural, abundant, available, low-cost and cause fewer or no side effects. This current review will emphasise the aetiology, risk factors, mechanisms underlying the pathophysiology of ED, treatments of ED as well as their side effects. It also provides medicinal plants that are proven effective in vivo and in vitro for the mitigation and treatment of male ED. This knowledge could be used in the future in drug discovery for the development of more natural drugs with no side effects.

"My wife's mistrust. That's the saddest part of being a diabetic": A qualitative study of sexual well-being in men with Type 2 diabetes in sub-Saharan Africa

Introduction

Sexual dysfunction is a common complication for men with diabetes, yet little is known about the lived experiences of sexual difficulties within the context of diabetes, particularly in low-and-middle-income countries. This study explores how men with type 2 diabetes in three sub-Saharan African settings (Cape Town and Johannesburg, South Africa; Lilongwe, Malawi) perceive and experience sexual functioning and sexual well-being, and the biopsychosocial contexts in which these occur and are shaped.

Methods

We used a qualitative research design, including individual interviews (n = 15) and focus group discussions (n = 4). Forty-seven men were included in the study. We used an inductive thematic analysis approach to develop our findings. A biopsychosocial conceptual model on the relationship between chronic illness and sexuality informed the interpretation of findings.

Results

Men across the study settings identified sexual difficulties as a central concern of living with diabetes. These difficulties went beyond biomedical issues of erectile dysfunction, comprising complex psychological and relational effects. Low self-esteem, related to a sense of loss of masculinity and reduced sexual and emotional intimacy in partner relationships were common experiences. Specific negative relational effects included suspicion of infidelity, mutual mistrust, general unhappiness, and fear of losing support from partners. These effects may impact on men’s ability to cope with their diabetes. Further stressors were a lack of information about the reasons for their sexual difficulties, perceived lack of support from healthcare providers and an inability to communicate with partners about sexual difficulties.

Conclusion

More in-depth research is needed to better understand sexual functioning and well-being within the context of diabetes, and its potential impact on diabetes self-management. Holistic and patient-centered care should include raising awareness of sexual problems as a potential complication of diabetes amongst patients, their partners and care providers, and incorporating sexual well-being as part of routine clinical care.

A community-based study on prevalence and correlates of erectile dysfunction among Kinondoni District Residents, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania

BACKGROUND

Globally, erectile dysfunction burden (ED) is rising appreciably and it is projected to affect about 332 million men by the year 2025. This rise is attributable to the rising incidence of conditions associated with ED including obesity, diabetes, hypertension, coronary artery disease and depression. We conducted this community-based screening to elucidate on the prevalence of ED and its associated factors among men residing in an urban community in Tanzania.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional community-based study and interviewed 441 men aged at least 18 years. Diabetes and hypertension were defined as per the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and the 7th Report of the Joint National Committee (JNC 7) respectively. The 5-item version of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) Scale was used to assess for erectile dysfunction. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to explore the factors associated with ED.

RESULTS

The mean age was 47.1 years, 57.6 % had excess body weight, 8.2 % had diabetes and 61.5 % had high blood pressure. Overall, 24 % (106/441) of men in this study had some form of ED. Participants with age ≥55, positive smoking history, obesity, diabetes and hypertension displayed highest rates of ED in their respective subgroups. However, age ≥40 and diabetes were ultimately the strongest factors for ED after multivariate logistic regression analyses, (OR 5.0, 95 % CI 2.2-11.2, p < 0.001 and OR 5.3, 95 % CI 2.2-12.7, p < 0.001 respectively).

CONCLUSION

Erectile dysfunction affects about a quarter of adult men living in Kinondoni district. Old age, obesity, smoking, hypertension and diabetes have the potential to increase the odds of ED up-to 5 times. In view of this, men with diabetes and hypertension should be offered screening services and treatment of ED as an integral component in their management.