[Psychosomatic treatment: a key to the improvement of erectile dysfunction]

Erectile dysfunction (ED) has been widely accepted as a typical psychosomatic disorder. Psychosocial factors play a critical role in the pathogenesis of ED. In turn, ED also has a substantial effect on psychosocial health and interpersonal relationship between ED patients and their partners. It is rational that psychosomatic treatment is the key to the treatment of ED, including both psychosexual counseling and appropriate medical intervention. The evolution of human health mode has revolutionized the goal of ED management, focusing on the successful restoration of natural harmonious sexual life and intimate relationship between the patients and their partners, rather than the physiological outcomes of erection hardness and duration of maintenance. Tadalafil, a novel phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitory agent effective for ED of any etiology and severity, can significantly decrease the time concerns of the patients, greatly satisfy the treatment expectations of both the patients and their partners, restore the normal and natural sexual life, and improve the patients' psychosexual health.