ABSTRACT
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is defined as the persistent inability to attain and/or maintain a penile erection sufficient to complete a satisfactory sexual intercourse. It was suggested that a 3-month minimum duration should be present for establishment of this diagnosis, except in some instances of trauma or surgically induced erectile dysfunction. The introduction of oral phosphodiesterase inhibitor therapy in 1998 was associated with a surge in resource use for erectile dysfunction (ED), as demonstrated by a 50% increase in physician office visits for ED in the last years.1
