Visual erotic and vibrotactile stimulation and intracavernous injection in screening men with erectile dysfunction: a...

To establish the number of patients with erectile dysfunction (ED) who appear to be sexually potent when exposed to visual erotic (VES) and vibrotactile stimulation (VIB) and to investigate whether or not older patients are less responsive to VES/VIB than young patients. Retrospective analysis of data on 406 consecutive patients screened for ED with VES, VES + VIB, VES + Intracavernous injection (ICI). Partial or full erection was obtained in 34% of patients with VES, 52% with VES + VIB, 82% with VES + ICI. Men < 40 y (n = 86) responded better than men > 40; between 40 and 80 no differences in penile responses were found. 50% of patients who reported no morning/night erections appeared to have good, rigid nocturnal penile tumescence (NPT). The use of VES, VES + VIB, VES + ICI is strongly recommended in the screening of men with ED of all ages; up to 80% will respond with a good erection. Only a positive penile response has diagnostic significance. The positive results reduce the necessity for further invasive investigations.