New treatments for erectile impotence.

The range of interventions available for the treatment of erectile failure has increased in the past ten years. A significant development is intracavernosal injection of vasoactive drugs, but this treatment is far from ideal. Other, less invasive, pharmacological interventions are being investigated; as yet, none of these appear effective enough to have any significant clinical impact. External vacuum devices are a viable option for some patients, and penile prostheses have become increasingly sophisticated, although research examining their benefits has not. The range of available treatment methods and the growing complexity of the assessment for erectile problems demands an eclecticism of approach which can best be provided by multidisciplinary clinics specialising in sexual dysfunctions.