Erectile Disorders: A Psychosexological Review

Abstract

This book mainly describes organic aspects of the etiology, diagnosis, and treatment of erectile disorders. It is in this domain that most progress has taken place in recent years: research into the anatomy and physiology of the penis, new diagnostic tests, and modern physical therapies. As a consequence of these developments, it has become clear that organic factors play a role in the etiology of erectile disturbances much more often than was believed for many years. That is why one is justified in paying so much attention to the organic aspects of erectile dysfunctions. Yet, in doing this one should not lose sight of the psychosexological factors, as many erectile disorders are completely psychogenic in origin. Moreover, psychosocial or psychiatric factors always play a more or less important role in the pathogenesis and treatment of erectile disturbances, even if one has found a satisfactory organic explanation for the cause of the disorder. This chapter, therefore, presents an up-to-date review of the prevalence, classification, etiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and therapy of erectile dysfunction from the point of view of a psychiatrist-sexologist.