Erectile impotence--it can be highly treatable.

In brief, the treatment of impotence is the treatment of the underlying cause whenever possible. When irreversible organic impotence is found, however, penile prosthesis should be considered. Both hydraulic inflatable and semirigid rod types are available. Morbidity with the procedure is relatively low in experienced hands and patient satisfaction has been reported as quite high. Pharmacogenic impotence may require a change or reduction of medication. Depression usually responds to some combination of antidepressants, psychotherapy, or electroconvulsive therapy, while modern short-term sex therapy has proved effective in reversing many of the anxiety-related cases. Deep-seated, anxiety-based impotence may require extensive psychotherapy, but many cases of recent-onset psychogenic impotence can be managed quite successfully with education, reassurance, and the optional short-term use of testosterone.