Erectile dysfunction practice guidelines.

Erectile dysfunction has undergone dramatic advances in diagnosis and therapeutics over the past decade. Increasing numbers of men are currently seeking medical help for their sexual concerns, often from primary health care providers. The Canadian Urological Association (CUA), Guidelines Committee is charged with the responsibility of creating practice guidelines for urologic conditions with the goal of improving physician knowledge and enhancing patient care. These Erectile Dysfunction Guidelines highlight the evolving use of a minimally invasive patient self-directed goal oriented approach to evaluation and treatment using oral agents as first-line therapy based on efficacy, side effect profile and ease of use. Second-line therapies include vacuum devices, injectable agents and intraurethral vasoactive devices. Surgical treatments are reserved for men who cannot use or fail to respond to first and second line treatments.