Erectile dysfunction.

Abstract

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common condition and can usually be managed pharmacologically, with drugs delivered by intracavernosal injection (ICI), transurethrally or orally. The cardiovascular status of the patient and his overall fitness for renewed sexual activity must be assessed before treatment for ED is initiated. The efficacy of sildenafil is related to the extent and severity of ED, and is significantly reduced in patients with severe vasculogenic ED, ED associated with diabetes and after radical prostatectomy. Alprostadil (prostaglandin E1) is the drug of first choice in patients treated with ICI; it is effective in 72.6% of men with ED and is associated with a low risk of priapism and cavernosal fibrosis. Transurethral alprostadil is significantly less effective than alprostadil ICI, producing improved erections in 30%-40%, but rigid erections in only 10%, of men with ED. There is Level II evidence that: alprostadil ICI is an effective treatment for ED papaverine ICI is associated with a high risk of cavernosal fibrosis and priapism papaverine ICI should be restricted to informed patients refractory to treatment with alprostadil ICI transurethral alprostadil is less effective than alprostadil ICI sildenafil is an effective treatment for ED.