Magnetic stimulation of the cavernous nerve for the treatment of erectile dysfunction in humans

A recent study in dogs has demonstrated that magnetic stimulation (MS) of the cavernous nerve produced an increase of the intracorporeal pressure and full penile erection. In view of these results, we tested the possible application of this procedure in humans with erectile dysfunction (ED). The study comprised 32 patients with ED (age 38.3 +/- 9.6 y) and 20 healthy volunteers (age 36.8 +/- 8.8 y). Routine erectile function tests suggested that impotence was neurogenic. A magnetic coil was placed over the dorsal aspect of the penis in the vicinity of the symphysis pubis. MS was performed using a stimulation of 40% intensity, 20 Hz frequency, 50 s on and 50 s off for 10 minutes duration. In the healthy volunteers, the coil was placed as aforementioned but was not activated. The intracorporeal pressure was recorded and penile tumescence and rigidity observed during MS in the patients and without stimulation in the controls. MS led to gradual increase in length and diameter of the penis until full erection was achieved; the penis became firm, rigid and pulsatile. The intracorporeal pressure increased significantly (P < 0.0001) at full erection. Mean latency to full erection was 19.3 +/- 3.4 s. Upon off-stimulation, penile erection and intracorporeal pressure returned to baseline after a mean of 22.7 +/- 3.2 s. Penile and pressure response to MS was resumed after an off-time of 50 s. The response was reproducible infinitely if the off-time was observed. The controls showed no penile tumescence or rigidity or increase of the intracorporeal pressure. In conclusion, MS of the cavernous nerve is effective in inducing penile rigidity. It is a simple, easy and non-invasive method which has no adverse effects. It might prove to be suitable for application in patients with ED.