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Expert: Stephen W. Leslie, MD - 11/2/2009


Question
I don't exactly understand: in order to have an erection, one has to experience a single large blood inflow to the penis, which is trapped in there by the veins occlusion, or is there a continuous flow of blood to the penis (in which case I don't understand the role of venous occlusion)?

Answer
Robert:

For an erection to occur, the initial inflow of blood to the penis has to increase an average of about 6 fold from normal.  When this happens, there is expansion of the erectile tissue and passive closure of the venous passages.  At full erection, there is very little blood flow.  Its a little like stepping on the gas and brake at the same time: you are not going very far!  When venous occlusion doesn't work, the typical response is a good erection that won't last more than 30-60 seconds.

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Stephen W. Leslie, MD

Expertise

Questions concerning erectile dysfunction, kidney stones and prostate disorders including prostate cancer. I have a special interest in kidney stone disease prevention.

Experience

Full time practicing urologist with 30 years experience. Associate Professor of Surgery and Chief of Urology at Creighton University Medical Center. Editor in Chief of eMedicine Urology internet textbook. Author of only NIH approved book written for patients by a urologist on the subject of kidney stones "The Kidney Stones Handbook". Inventor of the "Parachute" and "Escape" kidney stone baskets and the "Calculus" stone prevention analysis computer program.

Organizations
American Urological Association, Ohio State Medical Association, Sexual Medicine Society

Publications
Men's Health, Journal of Urology, Urology, Healthwatch Magazine, Emergency Medicine Monthly, eMedicine, "The Kidney Stones Handbook", and numerous articles in various newspapers. He is also the editor of the Urology Board Review by McGraw-Hill used by urologists to study for their Board Certification Examinations.

Education/Credentials
Graduate of New York Medical College with residencies completed at Metropolitan Hospital New York, Albany Medical Center and University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Awards and Honors
Thirlby Award of the American Urological Association. Rated as one the country's Best Urologists by the Independent Consumer's Research Institute

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