[First consultation of impotent patient]

This paper defines the main goals of the first consultation of an impotent patient, and describes the practical procedure. First of all, the first consultation must include a thorough history-taking which will make it possible in many cases to have a fairly objective idea of the degree of organic involvement. The most important questions are about the possible occurrence of regular rigid erections in situations that are neither coital nor sexual. Their occurrence rules out any organic involvement almost with certainty, and allows abstaining from additional examinations, or keeping them within minimum limits. Their absence is compatible with an organic involvement, but is not specific for this, and leads to further exploration. The first consultation is also the occasion of a first human contact, and its quality will often influence the prognosis. Besides being sufficient to cure some patients, this first contact is a major condition for the compliance with the therapeutic advice that will be given later on.