Intracavernosal pharmacotherapeutic advances toward a new millennium

The National Institutes of Health Consensus Statement on impotence estimates that the number of men with erectile dysfunction in the United States is approximately 20 million, presenting with varying degrees of erectile dysfunction (1). Prevalence of erectile dysfunction varies with age; the estimated probability of impotence is 5% at the age of 40 years, increasing to 15-25% at the age of 70 years and older (2). Significant improvements in the pathophysiology have resulted in newer treatment modalities of erectile dysfunction. One of the most significant developments has been the use of intracavernosal vasoactive agents as a successful method of management. This method and the use of injection pharmacotherapy account for approximately 40% of all treatment options for patients with sexual dysfunction.