Cavernosal Alpha-Blockade: A New Technique for Investigating and Treating Erectile Impotence

Intracavernosal injection of phenoxybenzamine, in a dose too small to have significant general effects, caused full erection lasting between half an hour and 30 hours in 3 of 4 potent men (2 normal, 2 anorgasmic) and in 6 of 11 impotent men. In the remaining potent man and 3 of the remaining impotent it caused the penis to be stiff enough for intromission. Six of the eleven impotent men have had sexual intercourse, for the first time for months or years, while under the drug. The practical implications of this new discovery are discussed.