Wang Y, Zhang J, Li H. Narrative review: pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of sleep-related painful erection.
Transl Androl Urol 2022;
10:4422-4430. [PMID:
35070824 PMCID:
PMC8749065 DOI:
10.21037/tau-21-1045]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective
Through critical analysis and comprehensive review of the limited literature, this paper can help clinicians better identify the pathophysiology of sleep-related painful erections (SRPE) and provide direction for future treatment research.
Background
Patients with SRPE will be awakened by painful erections during sleep, which affects their sleep process and general health. At present, literatures of experimental and clinical research on SRPE disease are limited, as well as long-term reports on its pathogenesis and clinical management.
Methods
We use the PubMed database to obtain sleep-related peer erection literature. The search terms used include sleep, painful, penis and erection. After rigorous screening, the search returned 21 references published between 1987 and 2021.
Conclusions
The main cause of SRPE is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) syndrome, psychological and spiritual factors, androgen elevation, neuroendocrine regulation and threshold of pain in the REM phase. The combination of multiple medications is the most effective approach to treat sleep-pain-related erections. The combination of CPAP, REM inhibitors and Baclofen has significant effect on SRPE caused by OSA syndrome. This article provides effective support and strategies for doctors to manage SRPE patients through a comprehensive analysis of the pathogenesis mechanism and clinical treatment strategies of SRPE.
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