[Therapy of erectile dysfunction--public health aspects]

Erectile dysfunction (ED)--the consistent or recurrent inability of a man to attain and/or maintain, a penile erection sufficient for sexual performance--is a common health condition among men that is largely untreated. It is estimated that some degree of ED affects more than one half of all men over the age of 40--152 million men worldwide. That is a big problem, that needs appropriate treatment. After diagnostic evaluation of the patient, doctor decides what is the best treatment option for the patient, following his health condition. Choice of treatment options: physio-sexual therapy, oral drug therapy, topical drug therapy, transurethral drug therapy, intracavernosal therapy, hormonal treatment, vacuum devices and surgery. Nowadays the most important contemporary treatments of ED are peroral sildenafil and intracavernosal pharmacotherapy using vasoactive medicines. However, these drugs are not suitable to every patient. More noninvasive methods to treat ED, such as oral medication or locally applicable preparations are needed.