Age, libido, and male sexual function

In the last decade of the 20th century, there was a distinct reappraisal of male sexual dysfunction and its pharmaco-medical treatment. Although repre sentative studies of sexual (dys)function in the aging male (i.e., between 60-90 years of age) are still lacking, one might assume with certainty that many men and their partners could benefit from sexological counseling and treatment. At the same time, it is obvious that many older men with erectil e dysfunction do not seek or want treatment for various reasons. Neverthele ss, it is obligatory that modern physicians include sexual matters in deali ng with their aging patients, as an essential part of their quality of Life . The doctor of today should approach the old(er) male patient with sexual dysfunction (regardless of comorbidity) in an identical manner as young(er) patients, i.e., with proper sexological history-taking, proper physical ex amination, and/or sexological diagnostic screening, and discussing the vari ous available treatments. Needless to say, that they should not "create" se xual problems when patients are satisfied with their current way of life. H owever, with the increasing number of efficacious treatments, doctors will satisfy many of their older patients with sexual difficulties who seek trea tment. Prostate Supplement 10:9-13, 2000. (C) 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.