Evaluating medical treatment of impotence

The nocturnal penile tumescence study, bulbocavernosus reflex latency time, and ultrasonic blood flow studies have made possible a more objective determination of the success or failure of various means used to treat impotence. A group of 60 patients with a history of impotence and flat nocturnal penile tumescence readings were selected for evaluation. Thirty were diabetic and 30 had idiopathic impotence. These patients were treated with a vasodilator, told to stop smoking for six weeks, or both. The results indicate that greater than one third of the patients were able to have intercourse and show NPT activity after treatment. Our study indicates that there is a select group of diabetics, as well as patients with idiopathic impotence, who may respond to medical management.