Classification of sexual dysfunction for management of intracavernous medication-induced erections.

A total of 75 patients was placed into 1 of 3 classes of sexual dysfunction based on nocturnal penile tumescence tracings rather than on etiology of the sexual dysfunction. The patients then were given an intracavernous injection with incremental dosages of 0.2 to 1.0 ml. of a combination of papaverine hydrochloride and phentolamine mesylate vasoactive intracavernous therapy. The results of the study were categorized as class 1--mild sexual dysfunction (100% successful with low dosages of medication), class 2--moderate sexual dysfunction (95% successful but larger dosages of medication were required) and class 3--severe sexual dysfunction (a 50:50 chance of a successful treatment and even higher dosages of medication were required). A portable home nocturnal tumescence monitor classification of severity of sexual dysfunction provided a guideline for the intracavernous pharmacological injection initial dosage and the probability of success or failure in patients who desire this form of therapy for male sexual dysfunction.