[Psychotherapy combined with use of the vacuum constrictive device for erectile impotence]

Psychotherapy and the vacuum constriction device were used to treat 125 men with different types of erectile impotence. 58 came with their wives (Group 1), the wives of 49 did not agree to come (Group 2), and 18 men did not want to inform their wives of their condition (Group 3). Age ranges and means for the 3 groups were, respectively: 26-82 (56.2 +/- 2.8); 24-80 (53.1 +/- 2.2); and 25-76 (59.3 +/- 2.7). All groups received 6-10 combined treatments, and in all 3 groups there was improvement in the objective parameters of sexual function (nocturnal penile tumescence, penile brachial index, maximal penile rigidity). But only in Group I was there improvement in subjective parameters (spontaneous erection, adequate coitus without the vacuum device). After treatment, successful coitus, with or without use of the device, was achieved in 91.3% of Group I, 69.3% of Group II and 50.0% of Group III. These results indicate that regardless of type of erectile impotence, the greatest degree of success is achieved when the patient comes for treatment together with his wife.