Effects of intracavernosal pharmacotherapy on self-esteem, performance anxiety and partnership in patients with chronic erectile dysfunction.

156 patients undergoing intracavernosal autoinjection pharmacotherapy for periods of 2-36 months were studied for the effect of treatment on self-esteem, performance anxiety, partnership and acceptance using a semi-structured questionnaire. Replies were received from 86.3% of the patients. 93% gave a very good, good or satisfactory rating of intracavernosal pharmacotherapy. 78.2% indicated that their self-esteem had grown. 79.4% said that performance anxiety diminished in the course of therapy (25.6%) or disappeared entirely (53.8%). 71.8% of the replies confirm the positive effect of treatment on marital relations or partnership. 61.9% of the patients used intracavernosal pharmacotherapy permanently. 28.3% needed therapy intermittently or at large intervals only, and 4.5% (7 patients) were cured of their chronic sexual dysfunction. When preceded by thorough multidisciplinary diagnostics and careful patient selection, intracavernosal pharmacotherapy constitutes an efficient mode of treatment for chronic erectile dysfunction.