[Erectile dysfunction. Epidemiology, physiology, etiology, diagnosis and therapy].

Erectile dysfunction is a common, age-dependent functional disturbance of men associated to various comorbidities. Interdisciplinary cooperation with neurologists in cases of a suspected neurological aetiology and with psychiatrists in cases with normal organic diagnostic findings is necessary. Hormone replacement and psychotherapy can cure certain patients. Oral pharmacotherapy is the most effective therapy for erectile dysfunction with the highest patient preference. Oral PDE-5-inhibitors (sildenafil, tadalafil, vardenafil) are superior in effectiveness to centrally acting drugs (apomorphin, yohimbine). Local pharmacotherapy (MUSE, ICI) is a second line therapy in cases of failure or contraindications for oral pharmacotherapy. Vacuum therapy and operative procedures (penile implants) complete the therapeutic options of erectile dysfunction.