New Clinical Male Sexual Dysfunction Guidelines For 2009

Since the prior limited update of this guideline considerable data have become available regarding the various drugs on the market for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. The current guidelines include information on the efficacy and non-responders to PDE5 inhibitors, combination and continuous dosage and also touches on drug preference. 

Most patients who had to undergo a (nerve-sparing) radical prostatectomy suffer from varying degrees of erectile dysfunction. For a considerable number of these patients PDE5 inhibitors offer improvement.

In their guidelines the panel clearly stress the need for a professional assessment of all patients presenting with ED, where also psychological aspects have to be taken into account. Self-medication and the recreational use of what in many countries are still prescription medications without taking possible side-effects into account are not advocated.

The panel consists of an expert group chaired by E. Wespes and includes E. Amar, I. Eardley, F. Giuliano, D. Hatzichristou, K. Hatzimouratidis, F. Montorsi and Y. Vardi.

Updated guidelines

A number of updated guidelines will be presented at the 24th Annual Congress of the European Association of Urology (EAU) held in Stockholm, from 17 through 21 March. The abridged versions - Pocket Guidelines – which are based on the extended text documents will also be available in Stockholm to all EAU members.

Production of clinical guidelines is one of the core activities of the organisation. Close to 150 experts split up over 18 different topic-oriented panels, are involved in this ongoing process. Guidelines aim to present the best evidence available on a given pathology and provide a standardized approach to the treatment of urological conditions. Ultimately, healthcare professionals must make their own decisions about care on a case-by-case basis, after consultation with their patients, using their clinical judgment, knowledge and expertise.