In offering a range of clinical treatments to ‘correct’ a persons ability to produce an erection, biomedical institutions encourage the public to strive for prolonged sexual function. Anthropologists argue that a biomedical focus places emphasis on the biological processes of fixing the body thereby disregarding holistic ideals of health and aging. By relying on a wholly medical approach, Western biomedicine can become blindsided by bodily dysfunctions which can be understood as appropriate functions of age, and not as a medical problem. Anthropologists understand that a biosocial approach to ED considers a persons decision to undergo clinical treatment more likely a result of "society, political economy, history, and culture" than a matter of personal choice. In rejecting biomedical treatment for ED, men can challenge common forms of medicalized social control by deviating from what is considered the normal approach to dysfunction. Lexicology
The Latin term impotentia coeundi describes simple inability to insert the penis into the vagina; it is now mostly replaced by more precise terms, such as erectile dysfunction (ED). The study of ED within medicine is covered by andrology, a sub-field within urology. Research indicates that ED is common, and it is suggested that approximately 40% of males experience symptoms compatible with ED, at least occasionally. The condition is also on occasion called phallic impotence. Its antonym, or opposite condition, is priapism. References
Further reading
Carson, Culley; Faria, Geraldo; Hellstrom, Wayne J. G.; Krishnamurti, Sudhakar; Minhas, Suks; Moncada, Ignacio; Montague, Drogo K. (1 January 2010). "Implants, Mechanical Devices, and Vascular Surgery for Erectile Dysfunction". Journal of Sexual Medicine.
Carney complex and its subsets LAMB syndrome and NAME syndrome are autosomal dominant conditions comprising myxomas of the heart and skin, hyperpigmentation of the skin (lentiginosis), and endocrine overactivity. It is distinct from Carneys triad. Approximately 7% of all cardiac myxomas are associated with Carney complex. Presentation
The spotty skin pigmentation and lentigines occur most commonly on the face, especially on the lips, eyelids, conjunctiva and oral mucosa. Cardiac myxomas may lead to embolic strokes and heart failure and may present with fever, joint pain, shortness of breath, diastolic rumble and tumor plop. Myxomas may also occur outside the heart, usually in the skin and breast. Endocrine tumors may manifest as disorders such as Cushing syndrome. The most common endocrine gland manifestation is an ACTH-independent Cushings syndrome due to primary pigmented nodular adrenocortical disease (PPNAD). The LAMB acronym refers to lentigines, atrial myxomas, and blue nevi. NAME refers to nevi, atrial myxoma, myxoid neurofibromas, and ephelides.Testicular cancer, particularly Sertoli cell type, is associated with Carney syndrome. Thyroid and pancreas cancer may also occur.Although J Aidan Carney also described Carneys triad it is entirely different. Pathophysiology
Carney complex is most commonly caused by mutations in the PRKAR1A gene on chromosome 17 (17q23-q24)
which may function as a tumor-suppressor gene.