Psychology's role in the assessment of erectile dysfunction: historical precedents, current knowledge, and methods

This article describes the role of the psychologist in the evaluation of erectile dysfunction. It begins by reviewing current diagnostic criteria and providing a historical overview. Next, current epidemiologic knowledge is summarized, including data on prevalence and recent research examining cognitive, affective, dyadic, and lifestyle etiologic risk factors. This is followed by a state-of-the-science discussion of assessment procedures. Recent psychophysiologic methods are highlighted, including RigiScan monitoring, waking arousal, and diurnal tumescence. It concludes by emphasizing the necessity of continued collaboration between psychology and medicine for both evaluation and treatment.