RESUMO
In Spain, based on the IIEF, 19% of males between 25 and 70 years old present some degree of erectile dysfunction (ED). Therefore, around 2,000,000 Spanish men present this condition and could require medical attention for it. Here, we present an up-date of the most important aspects of erectile dysfunction (pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment). We review, in detail, the oral treatments and future drugs that are presently in the premarketing experimental phase. Diagnostic and therapeutic management of the patient with erectile dysfunction should be individualized, taking into account the goals of each patient. It is highly recommendable to carry out a basic assessment (comprehensive clinical history, physical examination, recommended lab testing). If previously undiagnosed diseases are discovered (diabetes, arteriosclerosis, etc.) these should be treated and modifiable risk factors should be corrected. There are numerous therapeutic options for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. Replacement therapy with testosterone should only be used in males with ED and low levels of this hormone, under medical supervision. At present, first line treatment consists of the administration of oral drugs (sildenafil, apomorphine). There are two new PDE 5 inhibitors (tadalafil and vardenafil) that will be released on the market 2003, which will provide better selectivity. Moreover, several drugs for oral administration are in the initial phases of research that will facilitate erection via a direct penile action. When oral drugs are contraindicated, are not effective or when they are unpopular with the patient, the second line of treatment is intracavernous injection. Prostaglandin E1 is the initial drug of choice in patients using intracavernous autoinjection for the first time and has a high efficacy. Implantation of a penis prosthesis and penile revascularisation are appropriate for highly selected patients. Psychotherapy can be an option for men with ED of psychogenic origin, either as a monotherapy or combined with sildenafil or apomorphine.