Penile Erection Morphometry: The Need for a Novel Approach

For many males, sexual function holds significant value in determining their quality of life. Despite the importance of male erectile function, no quantitative method to measure it accurately is currently available. Standardized assessment methods such as RigiScan™, International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5), and the stamp test are used to evaluate sexual function, but those methods cannot repetitively and quantitatively measure erectile function. Only direct measurement can quantitatively assess the shape of an erect penis. This paper presents the essential requirements for developing an ideal measurement method for penile erection. It also introduces current approaches for diagnosing male sexual function and reviews ongoing research to quantitatively measure erectile function. The paper further summarizes and analyzes the advantages and disadvantages of each method with respect to the essential requirements. Finally, the paper discusses the future direction toward the development of Penile Erection Morphometry.