THE PLACE OF ACUPUNCTURE IN THE MANAGEMENT OF PSYCHOGENIC IMPOTENCE

Successful sexual functioning is a complex process involving psycholog ical and social responses as well as neurological, biochemical and vas cular processes. Today it is believed that more than 50% of the sexual dysfunction cases have an organic etiology. Reflecting the controvers y over the management of psychogenic impotence, there are several diff erent methods which are currently in clinical use. In this prospective study we aimed to evaluate the curative effects of acupuncture therap y in men with purely psychogenic impotence. Of the 29 patients treated with this procedure 20 patients demonstrated successful erections fol lowing a varying number of acupuncture sessions. In the light of our f indings we may conclude that acupuncture may be an effective alternati ve in the management of purely psychogenic impotence.