Erectile dysfunction or impotence is a condition that becomes more prevalent with increasing age, as demonstrated by the fact that it occurs in approximately 1% of men between 21 and 30 years of age and 47% in those who are 43 years of age or older. There are several potential causes, and some of the more common include disorders such as diabetes, peripheral neuropathy and cardiovascular disease. Continue reading… Erectile Dysfunction – Impotence
PPOD Symptoms
Erectile Dysfunction – Impotence
Friday, July 9th, 2010Anorgasmy / Anorgasmia – Inability to Achieve Normal Orgasm
Friday, July 9th, 2010Anorgasmy or anorgasmia is the inability to achieve normal orgasm. Although this condition occurs in both sexes, it is much more common in women and, along with a loss of sexual desire, is one of the most common symptoms of sexual dysfunction that occurs in the female. However, unlike in men where the inability to orgasm is almost exclusively a secondary effect of an underlying physical disorder, anorgasmia in women can be caused by a number of physical and psychological factors. Continue reading… Anorgasmy / Anorgasmia – Inability to Achieve Normal Orgasm
Urinary Retention – Difficulty Urinating
Friday, July 9th, 2010Urinary difficulty and retention are common symptoms of bladder dysfunction in the PPOD syndrome patient. The severity of these symptoms however, is quite variable from patient to patient. In some individuals for example there may be sluggish urination with a reduction in the force and caliber of the urinary stream, yet, with a little patience and persistence, the patient may still be able to completely empty the bladder. In other cases, bladder emptying can only be achieved by the combination of deep pelvic (bladder) massage and forceful straining. Continue reading… Urinary Retention – Difficulty Urinating
Incontinence – Loss of Bladder or Bowel Control
Friday, July 9th, 2010Incontinence is the inability to control excretory function. The term is generally used in reference to the inability to control normal bladder or rectal function, leading to urinary or fecal incontinence respectively. By comparison, urinary incontinence is more variable in its clinical presentation, and as a result, is classified according to its dominant features as either stress, urge, mixed, neurogenic or continuous incontinence. Of these types of urinary incontinence, stress incontinence is the most common, and depending upon the age of the individual occurs in approximately 15-45% of women but only 1.5-5% of men. Continue reading… Incontinence – Loss of Bladder or Bowel Control
Proctalgia – Rectal Pain
Friday, July 9th, 2010Rectal pain or proctalgia occurs in approximately 8-18% of the general population as a whole, but is a very common complaint in PPOD syndrome patients. The specific location and distribution of rectal pain however, is somewhat variable. In some individuals the pain is confined to the lower portion of the rectum or in and around the anus, while in others it can extend quite high up within the pelvis. Although proctalgia can be caused by hemorrhoids, abscesses and fissures, when it is an accompanying symptom of the PPOD syndrome local physical examination and diagnostic procedures such as colonoscopy Continue reading… Proctalgia – Rectal Pain
Chronic Pelvic Pain
Friday, July 9th, 2010Chronic pelvic pain, by definition, is pain that has persisted at some region within the pelvis for a 6 month period or longer. Although the prevalence of this condition varies from study to study, roughly 10 to 20% of women and 5 to 9% of men suffer from this disorder, making it a very common complaint in both sexes. In contrast to pelvic pain of an acute nature, which is usually caused by some type of specifically identifiable and treatable condition (such as ovarian cysts, pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy, appendicitis, etc.), pelvic pain of a chronic nature is pain of which it’s origin usually cannot be identified, despite the individual having undergone a thorough diagnostic evaluation. Continue reading… Chronic Pelvic Pain
Chronic Constipation – Chronic Diarrhea
Thursday, July 8th, 2010Apart from perhaps proctalgia or rectal pain, chronic constipation or diarrhea are the most common symptoms of bowel dysfunction seen in the PPOD syndrome patient. When part of the PPOD syndrome, these two symptoms reflect dichotomous states of neurologic dysfunction caused by an underlying mechanical disorder of the spine. In the case of constipation there is usually a reduction of the activity (inhibition) of the sensory and/or motor fibers that connect to and mediate control of the function of the large bowel and rectum. Continue reading… Chronic Constipation – Chronic Diarrhea
Dyspareunia – Pelvic Pain during Sexual Intercourse
Thursday, July 8th, 2010Dyspareunia is the term for pelvic pain that occurs during sexual intercourse. It can occur in both sexes, however it is much more prevalent in women. One recent study found that 55% of women experienced dyspareunia on an occasional basis, while 24% have pain frequently or all the time. In terms of its location, dyspareunia can be either superficial or deep. Superficial dyspareunia refers to pain that is experienced in the structures of the external genitalia. Although superficial dyspareunia can be caused by a local infection or inflammatory process, in the PPOD syndrome patient it is usually caused by neurologic dysfunction causing facilitation of the sensory nerve fibers that supply the external genitalia, lower vagina and perineum. This results in a painful hypersensitivity of these structures so that touch or contact of any type becomes exquisitely painful, a situation analogous to the hypersensitivity of sunburned skin. Continue reading… Dyspareunia – Pelvic Pain during Sexual Intercourse
Vulvodynia – Labia or Clitoris Pain
Tuesday, July 6th, 2010Vulvodynia is pain that develops in the structures of the external genitalia of the female. Typically this includes the labia and clitoris, but the lower vagina and perineum may also be involved. A recent study revealed that this condition occurs in roughly 16% of women. Like that of superficial dyspareunia, pain in the vulvar region may be caused by a local infectious or inflammatory process or sexually transmitted disease. Continue reading… Vulvodynia – Labia or Clitoris Pain
Orchialgia / Phallodynia – Pain in the Testicals or Penis
Friday, July 2nd, 2010Pain in the testicle or penis is referred to as orchialgia and phallodynia respectively. Currently, no data exists regarding the prevalence of chronic testicular or penile pain, however, as component symptoms of the PPOD syndrome, orchialgia and phallodynia are not uncommon. With respect to orchialgia, the pain is usually described as a deep aching, or sometimes burning pain, and may exhibit a pressure like quality as though the testicle were being squeezed in a vise. Continue reading… Orchialgia / Phallodynia – Pain in the Testicals or Penis
