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

Abstract

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.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank Gail Macey as research coordinator and Polly Zorolow and Lynda Charters for editorial assistance. This work was supported by a grant from the Ellithorpe Fund for Adrenal Research.

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Correspondence to A T Guay.

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Guay, A., Spark, R., Jacobson, J. et al. Yohimbine treatment of organic erectile dysfunction in a dose-escalation trial. Int J Impot Res 14, 25–31 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijir.3900803

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