Novel treatment options for overlapping yet distinct erectile dysfunction and andropause syndromes

The Food & Drug Administration has recently approved, or is in the process of approving newer drugs such as the phosphodiesterase inhibitors and apomorphine to treat men's health issues including erectile dysfunction. Increasing age results in a gradual hypogonadal state in men, for which different novel delivery systems of androgens are currently offered for the symptomatic patient. As such, many men are presenting to healthcare practitioners for the first time. The age of presentation for erectile dysfunction and andropause often overlaps, typically in the fifties and beyond, therefore, it makes sense to screen for erectile dysfunction in andropause patients and vice versa. Erectile dysfunction is usually a harbinger for other illnesses, such as coronary heart disease and depression. The hypogonadal state, likewise, could be a harbinger for other ill health states in men, including obesity, depression, osteoporosis and possibly memory loss. While the newer treatments for erectile dysfunction and andropause are distinctly different and targeted at symptom relief, the presentation of the patient with erectile dysfunction or andropause offers an excellent opportunity for screening for other health states and health education strategies.