Male Sexual Function

Research

Innovative research has made significant strides and improvement to understanding the anatomy and physiology of sexual function. The urology laboratory at UCSF is considered one of the premier research facilities in penile pathophysiology in the world. Over the past 20 years, our experts have made many important discoveries related to penile physiology, pathophysiology, pharmacology, Peyronie's disease and priapism.

Current erectile dysfunction research projects at UCSF are studying:

• The use of growth factors to enhance the formation of new blood vessels in the penis and thus cure erectile dysfunction due to clogged blood vessel
• The mechanism of erectile dysfunction after injury to the cavernous nerve, a common complication after surgery for cancer of the prostate, bladder and rectum
• Innovative approaches to re-grow the injured cavernous nerve
• The pathophysiology of priapism
• New therapies for Peyronie's disease

Reviewed by health care specialists at UCSF Medical Center.
Last updated May 8, 2007