THERAPEUTIC ADVANCEMENTS FOR ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION CAUSED BY VENOUS LEAK SYNDROME

Erectile dysfunction (ED) affects many men, who, with increased awaren ess of more effective and less invasive treatments, are seeking the he lp of a urologist. ED can diminish a man's self-esteem and overall sen se of well-being, and chronic ED can strain a relationship, often resu lting in frustration for both partners. Vascular disease is thought to be the most common of the many factors causing ED: arterial or venous abnormalities, or both, are implicated, and current diagnostic evalua tion can often differentiate between the two. Historically, abnormalit ies in the venous drainage system (venous leak syndrome) have been tre ated with selective surgical procedures, but generally with disappoint ing long-term results. Advances in nonsurgical approaches have increas ed treatment options for venous leak syndrome. This article reviews av ailable treatment options and describes an innovative constriction ban d that is fully adjustable, comfortable, and easy to use by the patien t.