Yohimbine treatment of organic erectile dysfunction in a dose-escalation trial

• Published in: International journal of impotence research Vol. 14; no. 1; pp. 25 - 31
• Main Authors: GUAY, A. T, SPARK, R. F, JACOBSON, J, MURRAY, F. T, GEISSER, M. E
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basingstoke Nature Publishing 01.02.2002; Nature Publishing Group
• Subjects: Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists - administration & dosage; Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists - adverse effects; Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists - therapeutic use; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Biological and medical sciences; Circadian Rhythm; Coitus; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Erectile dysfunction; Erectile Dysfunction - drug therapy; Erectile Dysfunction - physiopathology; Genital system. Reproduction; Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics; Humans; Male; Male genital diseases; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Non tumoral diseases; Penile Erection - drug effects; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Questionnaires; Severity of Illness Index; Sexual health; Surveys and Questionnaires; Yohimbine - administration & dosage; Yohimbine - adverse effects; Yohimbine - therapeutic use; Florida; United States > US; Human; Hormone; Nocturnal penile tumescence; Testosterone; Questionnaire; Treatment; Dysfunction; Risk factor; Serum; Severe
• ISSN: 0955-9930; 1476-5489
• DOI: 10.1038/sj.ijir.3900803

Yohimbine has had questionable effects in men with organic erectile dysfunction. We conducted this study to better define the population of men responsive to yohimbine, because tobacco was thought to affect a regimen of yohimbine more than other risk factors. We measured nocturnal penile tumescence with the RigiScan monitor, hormone profiles, answers to the Florida Sexual Health Questionnaire, and clinical responses at baseline and after two different doses of yohimbine in 18 nonsmoking men with erectile dysfunction. Of the 18 men, nine (50%) were successful in completing intercourse in more than 75% of attempts. The yohimbine responders were men with less severe erectile dysfunction as manifested by improved increased rigidity on RigiScan testing, higher Florida Sexual Health Questionnaire scores, and slightly higher levels of serum testosterone. Yohimbine is an effective therapy to treat organic erectile dysfunction in some men with erectile dysfunction.