Intercavernous pressure declines and the outflow restriction decreases. Phase 7 - This is known as the fast detumescence phase. Intercavernous pressures decline rapidly The outflow restriction is inactivated, and arterial blood flow returns to normal levels. The penis returns to the flaccid state. Of the three phases of normal male sexual function, erectile rigidity plays the biggest role in male erectile dysfunction.
Many patients feel that erectile dysfunction is a normal consequence of aging.
This is not true, although there are some age-related changes that may affect sexual function. An example is a decrease in libido related to hypogonadism. The etiology of erectile dysfunction may be broadly categorized as organic, psychogenic, or mixed. Organic causes may be vascular, neurogenic, hormonal, or pharmacologic. They may be related to surgery or radiation.