Reference
Erectile Dysfunction Glossary
What do common erectile dysfunction terms mean?
This glossary explains the terms used in ED assessment and treatment, such as vasculogenic ED, venous leak, penile Doppler ultrasound, platelet-rich plasma, EdSWT and PDE5 inhibitors, in plain English with links to the full guides.
Private & confidential enquiry. You do not need to call.
Conditions and causes
Erectile dysfunction (ED)
Repeated difficulty getting or keeping an erection firm enough for satisfactory sexual activity.
Learn more →Vasculogenic ED
ED caused by problems with blood flow into the penis or the penis's ability to hold blood.
Learn more →Venous leak (cavernosal insufficiency)
The penis cannot hold blood well enough to keep an erection; also called veno-occlusive dysfunction.
Learn more →Neurogenic ED
ED caused by nerve problems, for example after pelvic surgery or with diabetic neuropathy.
Hypogonadism
Low testosterone with symptoms, confirmed by appropriately timed blood tests.
Learn more →Psychogenic ED
ED mainly linked to anxiety, depression, stress or relationship factors.
Peyronie's disease
Scar tissue in the penis that can cause curvature, pain or a lump; it needs separate assessment.
Tests and treatments
Penile Doppler ultrasound
A scan that measures blood flow into and out of the penis.
Learn more →PDE5 inhibitor
A tablet such as sildenafil or tadalafil that supports the erection response to sexual stimulation; first-line for many men.
Learn more →Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and P-Shot
Plasma with concentrated platelets prepared from your own blood and injected into penile tissue; experimental for ED.
Learn more →EdSWT / Li-ESWT
Low-intensity shockwave therapy for ED, mainly vasculogenic ED.
Learn more →Stem cell therapy
An experimental approach using cells or cell-based preparations.
Learn more →Exosomes
Tiny vesicles released by cells; investigational for ED.
Learn more →Intracavernosal injection
Injection of a medicine into the penis that produces an erection; an established option.
Learn more →Vacuum erection device
A pump that draws blood into the penis, held in place with a ring.
Penile implant
A surgically placed device that allows an erection on demand.
Learn more →Priapism
An erection lasting more than four hours, which needs urgent medical care.
Frequently asked questions
What does vasculogenic mean?
It means caused by problems with blood vessels and blood flow. Vasculogenic ED is one of the most common physical causes of erectile dysfunction.
What is the difference between EdSWT and Li-ESWT?
They describe the same treatment: low-intensity extracorporeal shockwave therapy used for erectile dysfunction.
What is priapism?
A prolonged erection, usually defined as lasting more than four hours, which needs urgent medical care.
Sources
- EAU Guidelines on Sexual and Reproductive Health: Management of Erectile DysfunctionEuropean Association of Urology, 2026 · Guideline
Related guides
Send your case for confidential review
You do not need to know which treatment you need. Share a few details and the clinic can advise which options may be relevant to your case.
- 1. Send your caseAbout 2 minutes, private.
- 2. Coordinator contacts youBy WhatsApp, phone or email.
- 3. Doctor assessmentThe urologist decides suitability.
Private & confidential enquiry. You do not need to call.
This page provides general information and does not diagnose ED or decide whether a treatment is suitable for you. Suitability and expected benefit vary between patients and are decided after medical assessment. Treatments described as experimental or investigational are discussed with full informed consent. Seek urgent care for chest pain, new neurological symptoms, penile injury or an erection lasting more than four hours.