New treatments for erectile dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is an increasingly common problem, affecting up to 30 million American men. This largely results from increased risk factors and an aging population. ED is now also recognized as a marker for cardiovascular disease. The ED patient should be thoroughly evaluated for coexisting vascular disease. The pathophysiology of ED is becoming better understood, largely as a result of the development of new therapies. Once the underlying processes are known, more selective targeting of these will lead to novel "designer drugs."