Diagnosis of erectile impotence in diabetes mellitus. An objective and specific method.

Objective procedures for both the differential and specific diagnosis of erectile impotence were applied in a study of 13 diabetic men. Monitoring of nocturnal penile tumescence provided evidence of patients' erectile capacity and allowed differential diagnosis of organogenic impotence. Follow-up evaluations of penile blood pressure, bulbocavernosus reflex response latency, and plasma concentrations of testosterone and prolactin allowed localization of probable organic deficits. Bulbocavernosus function was compromised in nine patients, and penile systolic blood pressure was abnormally low in five. Hormone levels were typically within the normal range. These procedures are recommended for comprehensive assessment of impotent diabetic persons in both clinical and research settings.