Patient preferences in treatment of erectile dysfunction: the continuing importance of patient education

Understanding patient preferences can be important in ensuring full benefit is derived from treatment for erectile dysfunction (ED). They seem to be important in determining whether patients continue treatment in the medium and long term. In clinical practice, discontinuation rates beyond a year are relatively high. Factors such as spontaneity, "naturalness", and onset and duration of action may all influence preference. This article discusses a number of studies looking into patient preferences for a particular class of treatment method over another, and also for individual treatments within classes. In general, patients appear to prefer oral treatments to others such as penile implant surgery, vacuum-pump therapy, apomorphine, and intracavernosal injection. In some studies, men have also shown preferences for particular oral phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) inhibitors over others. Providing patients with full information on the pros and cons of treatment options can help ensure patients are treated with a therapy that fits more closely with their wishes, and ensure continuation of treatment for optimal efficacy.