Skip to main content
Log in

A comparison of Nocturnal Penile Tumescence and penile response to erotic stimulation during waking states in comprehensively diagnosed groups of males experiencing erectile difficulties

  • Published:
Archives of Sexual Behavior Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The erectile responses of 13 nondysfunctional males and 48 dysfunctional males were compared during Nocturnal Penile Tumescence (NPT) and during exposure to erotic videotapes. The results showed distinct patterns of NPT and daytime responding that could differentiate the various subgroups: those displaying (i) no dysfunction; (ii) vasculogenic erectile dysfunction; (iii) high risk for erectile dysfunction (organic and psychogenic); (iv) psychogenic dysfunction; reactive to erotica; and (v) psychogenic dysfunction; nonreactive to erotica. Subjects participating in this study underwent a comprehensive medical and psychological screening to place them in each subgroup. The penile circumference response to erotic stimuli used in conjunction with NPT response appeared useful in differentiating subgroups of erectile dysfunction and suggested the need for further diagnostic refinement in this area. The majority of vasculogenic dysfunctional subjects experienced greater erection responses during exposure to erotic stimulation than during NPT; several of these subjects achieved almost full erections in waking states but were practically flaccid at night. The discussion covers diagnostic and therapeutic implications.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
$34.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or eBook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Abel, G. (1987, March). Sexual dysfunction in diabetic males. In Carey, M. P. (chair),Sexual Functioning and Chronic Disease. Symposium conducted at the eighth meeting of the Society of Behavioral Medicine, Washington, DC.

  • Abel, G., Becker, J., and Cunningham-Rahter, J. (1982). Differential diagnosis of impotence in diabetics: The validity of sexual symptomatology.Neurourol. Urodynamics. 1: 57–69.

    Google Scholar 

  • Barlow, D. (1986). Causes of sexual dysfunction: The role of anxiety and cognitive interference.J. Consult. Clin. Psychol. 2: 140–148.

    Google Scholar 

  • Derogatis, L., and Meyer, J. (1979). A psychological profile of the sexual dysfunctions.Arch. Sex. Behav. 8: 201–223.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fisher, C., Shiavi, R., Lear, H., Edwards, A., Davis, D., and Witken, A. (1975). The assessment of nocturnal REM erection in the differential diagnoses of sexual impotence.J. Sex Marital Ther. 1: 277–289.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hatch, J. (1981). Psychophysiological aspects of sexual dysfunction.Arch. Sex. Behav. 10: 49–64.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Heiman, J. (1975). The physiology of erotica: Women's sexual arousal.Psychol. Today 8: 90–94.

    Google Scholar 

  • Heiman, J. (1978). Uses of psychophysiology in the assessment and treatment of sexual dysfunction. n LoPiccolo, J., and LoPiccolo, L. (eds.),Handbook of Sex Therapy Plenum Press, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Karacan, I. (1970). Clinical value of nocturnal REM erection in the differential diagnosis of sexual impotence.Med. Aspects Hum. Sex. 4: 27–34.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kockott, G., Feil, W., Ferstl, R., Aldenhoff, J., and Besinger, V. (1980). Psychophysiological aspects of male sexual inadequacy: Results of an experimental study.Arch. Sex. Behav. 9: 477–493.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Malhotra, C., Balko, A., Bansal, S., Wincze, J., and Susset, J. (1986). Cavernosography in conjunction with artificial erection for evaluation of venous leakage in impotent males.Radiology 161: 799–802.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Marshall, P., Surridge, D., and Delva, N. (1981a). The role of nocturnal penile tumescence in differentiating between organic and psychogenic impotence: The first stage of validation.Arch. Sex. Behav. 10: 1–10.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Marshall, P., Morales, A., and Surridge, D. (1981b). Unreliability of nocturnal penile tumescence recording and MMPI profiles in assessment of impotence.Urology 17: 136–139.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Melman, A., Kaplan, D., and Redfield, J. (1984). Evaluation of the first 70 patients in the Center for male sexual dysfunction of Beth Israel Medical Center.J. Urol. 131: 53–55.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Segreaves, T., and Schoenberg, H. (1985).Diagnosis and Treatment of Erectile Disturbances Plenum Press, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wagner, G., and Green, R. (1981).Impotence: Physiological Psychological, Surgical Diagnosis and Treatment Plenum Press, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilder, J. (1958). Modern psychophysiology and the law of initial value.Am. J. Psychother. 12: 199–221.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wincze, J., Hoon, P., and Hoon, E. (1976). A comparison of the physiological responsivity of normal and sexually dusfunctional women during exposure to an erotic stimulus.J. Psychosom. Med. 20: 44–50.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wincze, J., Venditti, E., Berkow, D., and Mavissakalian, M. (1980). The effects of a subjective monitoring task in the physiological measure of genital response to erotic stimulation.Arch. Sex. Behav. 9: 533–545.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Zuckerman, M., Neeb, M., Ficher, M., Fishkin, R., Goldman, A., Fink, P., Cohen, S., Jacobs, J., and Weisberg, M. (1985). Nocturnal penile tumescence and penile responses in the waking state in diabetic and nondiabetic sexual dysfunctionals.Arch. Sex. Behav. 14: 109–130.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Wincze, J.P., Bansal, S., Malhotra, C. et al. A comparison of Nocturnal Penile Tumescence and penile response to erotic stimulation during waking states in comprehensively diagnosed groups of males experiencing erectile difficulties. Arch Sex Behav 17, 333–348 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01541811

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01541811

Key words

Navigation