PDE 5 is an abbreviation
for phosphodiesterase type 5. PDE 5 is an enzyme that
breaks down cGMP. cGMP causes the smooth muscles in
the arterial walls of the penis to relax. The relaxation
of the arterial walls allows blood flow to cause an
erection. Once PDE 5 breaks down cGMP, the arterial
walls stop relaxing and the man no longer maintains
an erection. Under normal circumstances, only after
orgasm do the arterial walls begin to relax. After prostate
cancer treatments, however, men may experience impotence
which is the inability to maintain a satisfactory erection.
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