Follow-up of vacuum and nonvacuum constriction devices as treatments for erectile dysfunction

Of 20 men evaluated for erectile dysfunction (ED) for whom vacuum erection devices or constriction bands were recommended, only four experienced improvement of their erectile function by using the specific suggested method. Although use of a simple constriction band mechanism (e.g., a rubber band wound tightly around the penis) for men with brief erectile capacity has been described as a viable treatment, only one of five men who tried using it achieved any success. Three of six men who used a vacuum erection device were helped by it, particularly the men who suffered from only partial ED. Most patients did not follow through with the recommended treatment and stopped sexual activity, or belatedly returned for intracavernosal injections. The interviews revealed the pervasive influence of shame and demoralization regarding erectile problems, the importance of evaluation and treatment follow-up, and the necessity for careful, explicit, extensive, and concrete explanations and instructions regarding treatment options.     

Neonatal androstenedione and adult sexual behavior in golden hamsters.

Notes that male rats castrated and given androstenedione neonatally can show high levels of both masculine and feminine copulatory behavior in adulthood. In the present study, 24 intact female and 30 intact male hamsters castrated at birth were treated for their 1st 20 days with oil, free testosterone, or androstenedione. All neonatal androgen treatments mimicked the naturally occurring developmental process of the male in that all androgenized groups were capable of high levels of male behavior (males but not females showing ejaculation patterns) as well as moderate levels of lordotic receptivity. There were no significant differences in effect among neonatal androgen treatments. Results are discussed as they relate to species differences, sex differences, hamster "bisexuality," and posthormone copulatory performance. (30 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)