VISUALLY STIMULATED ERECTION IN CASTRATED MEN

Sexual interest and activity decrease following castration. We determi ned by objective criteria the erectile status of 16 men who were sexua lly active before castration for prostatic cancer. Castration was achi eved by orchiectomy or hormonal manipulation. Patients answered a ques tionnaire regarding the medical status and erectile function before an d after castration, and the blood level of testosterone was assessed. During viewing of an erotic videotape penile circumference and erectio n quality were monitored. Four patients (25%) achieved functional erec tion. Mean serum free testosterone levels in men who achieved erection were 1.125 +/- 0.362 pg./ml. (standard deviation) and 0.628 +/- 0.098 pg./ml. in those not achieving functional erection (p <0.001). No sta tistically significant difference was noted in age, interval since cas tration, co-morbidity score or method of castration between the men wh o did and did not achieve erection.