[Erectile dysfunction. An update]

Although around 10% of men aged 40 to 70 years have complete erectile dysfunction, only a few seek medical help. As erectile dysfunction is frequently associated with a number of systemic illnesses and surgical treatments, a wide range of doctors should be aware of the condition in their patients. Current effective treatments include psychosexual counselling, vacuum erection devices, intracavernosal and transurethral drug delivery, and penile prostheses. Promising oral treatments are currently being investigated. Both doctors and the public need to be better informed about erectile dysfunction and its treatment.