[Somatization of erectile disorders by the introduction of sildenafil]

With the introduction of the erection-supporting oral drug sildenafil (Viagra) the development of somatic treatments of male sexual dysfunction has reached a temporary peak. The availability of a medicament that is easy to take will result in an increase of the incidence and possibly also the prevalence of erectile disorder. It may even lead to the myth that only a perfect erection is normal. The question is where to draw the line between a normal inconvenience of life and a serious disease. The erection pill will probably be preferred to all other treatments. Therefore, most patients will consult their family physician, who will refer only difficult cases to urologists or sexologists. Physicians should take 'the man behind the penis' into consideration before writing a prescription, otherwise a distressed man without an erection might become a distressed man with an erection. In the long run, psychosexual therapy is less expensive than taking sildenafil for many years.