How safe is the treatment of impotence with intracavernous autoinjection?

Intracavernous administration of papaverine and phentolamine has become an essential and indispensible element in the diagnosis and treatment of erectile dysfunction. This paper assesses the frequency and meaning of the main side effects of intracavernous injections (prolonged erections, fibrosis, etc.). It is concluded that the benefit from this new method definitely exceeds the possible risks. However, for the safe implementation of this method, close and intensive cooperation between the physician and his patient is a condition that has to be guaranteed. Each patient carrying out autoinjection therapy has to be examined at reasonable intervals to evaluate the to date unknown effects of long-term therapy.