Jackson
Erectile dysfunction is a prevalent and distressing condition among adult males, characterized by the inability to achieve or maintain an erection, weak erection, difficulty sustaining an erection, and frequently experiencing fatigue during sexual activity. This condition negatively impacts the quality of life of both the patients and their partners, and can also indicate early symptoms and risk factors for cardiovascular disease.
Erectile dysfunction typically arises from two causes, functional and organic. Mental and psychological factors are the primary culprits for functional ED, while various diseases are responsible for organic ED. It is crucial to discern which of these causes is responsible for the condition to determine the appropriate treatment plan for ED. One effective diagnostic method is to identify “night evidence,” which can be achieved through monitoring penile changes during sleep with devices such as a plethysmograph test, Accurately diagnosing the root cause of ED is paramount to finding effective treatment options.
Why do men get erections at night?
Nocturnal erections are a natural occurrence among men with normal sexual functions. This phenomenon refers to the spontaneous erection of the penis during sleep. The frequency of these erections can vary depending on factors such as age, physical health, and sexual activity. Typically, healthy men experience several nocturnal erections per night, which serve as an indicator of healthy blood flow and nerve function in the penis.
During an erection, the oxygen tension in the sponge-like tissue of the penis is three to four times higher than during times of flaccidity. This spike in oxygen levels promotes the metabolic function of the skin cells within the penile tissue, as well as the recovery of sexual function. Therefore, the occurrence of erections during sleep can be considered a natural means of maintaining penile health. Conversely, a lack of quality sleep can have a negative impact on a man’s sexual function, as the penis may not receive this crucial “charging” time. Therefore, men who strive to maintain good sexual health and function should prioritize healthy sleeping habits to ensure that their penile tissue is receiving adequate oxygenation and recovery time.
Nocturnal erections can serve as a valuable indicator of a man’s erectile function, as they occur during the sleep state and are a physiological response. While morning erections are often thought of as a continuation of nighttime erections, the latter is more closely linked with the sleep state and may not always result in a morning erection. It’s perfectly normal for a man to experience an erection after a deep sleep, indicating that their sexual function and overall sex life is relatively normal.
However, the absence of these erections does not necessarily indicate a problem with sexual function, as other factors such as stress or fatigue may contribute to their absence.
Nocturnal penile tumescence and rigidity
NPTR detection is typically carried out using a specialized device known as the “RigiScan penile hardness measuring instrument.” This tool serves the primary purpose of continuously monitoring penile hardness levels throughout the night, allowing for the detection of any changes in erection status during a rapid eye movement sleep cycle. By providing detailed information about nocturnal erections, healthcare professionals can better assess erectile function in both healthy individuals and those experiencing erectile dysfunction.
Principle
For individuals with a healthy erection system, the penis typically undergoes nocturnal erections that can be detected through the Nocturnal Penile Tumescence and Rigidity (NPTR) test. During sleep, the penis erects intermittently, usually up to four times a night, for almost an hour in total time. This natural physiological process is the foundation of RigiScan’s NPTR test. However, if there is organic damage in any of the involved links, the nocturnal erection function will be affected, resulting in abnormal NPTR readings. This is an indication of the presence of organic erectile dysfunction (ED). Since psychological factors are eliminated during sleep, NPTR testing can be helpful in distinguishing between organic and psychological ED.
Check Conditions
Before conducting the “RigiScan Penis Hardness Measuring Instrument” test, subjects must satisfy certain conditions. Firstly, individuals are required to have at least six consecutive hours of sleep, though it is recommended to maintain eight hours of sleep. Additionally, it is vital for subjects to avoid consuming alcohol or drugs such as sleeping pills and benzodiazepines for a specific period before the test, to eliminate any possible interference factors.
Advantages of the Rigiscan System
The Rigiscan system is an innovative technology used for the detection, diagnosis, and evaluation of erectile dysfunction (ED), which incorporates a range of advanced features. Advantages of using Rigiscan for ED diagnosis and treatment include:
- Ability to accurately diagnose ED: Rigiscan allows for the easy classification of different types of ED, based on the frequency, duration, and quality of erections, which in turn allows for customized treatment options for patients.Assessment of previous treatment failure: For patients who have not responded to previous treatment, Rigiscan can be used to assess the
- degree of treatment “failure” and re-evaluate the severity of ED to identify new effective treatments.
- Pre-surgical evaluation of ED patients: By using Rigiscan before surgery, patients planning to undergo surgical treatment can be evaluated and surgical indications can be controlled strictly.
- Nocturnal penile tumescence and rigidity: Rigiscan’s NPTR allows for the objective evaluation of drug efficacy, and physical effects, and can guide the dosage of Intracavernous Injection (ICI).
The Rigiscan method
The Rigiscan method requires subjects to sleep naturally in a monitoring room for one night while wearing disposable electrode patches on corresponding body parts and tying the record box onto their thigh. The next morning, the treating doctor analyzes the recorded data to evaluate changes in the number, duration, length, circumference, and blood volume of penile erections. The results of the Rigiscan test can guide the diagnosis and treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED) and may be useful in assessing treatment failures and pre-surgical evaluations of ED patients.
Overall, the Rigiscan system offers a non-invasive, easy-to-use, and reliable method for assessing different types of ED.
