Double-blind trial of yohimbine in treatment of psychogenic impotence

Lancet. 1987 Aug 22;2(8556):421-3. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(87)90958-5.

Abstract

48 subjects meeting strict diagnostic criteria for psychogenic impotence took part in a 10 week placebo-controlled, double-blind, partial crossover trial of yohimbine (18 mg a day) for restoring erectile function. At the end of the first arm of the trial 62% of the yohimbine group and 16% of the placebo group reported some improvement in sexual function (chi 2 = 10.41, df = 2, p less than 0.05). 21% of the originally placebo-treated group noticed some improvement over pre-treatment levels when they were put on yohimbine in the second arm of the trial. Overall 46% of those who received yohimbine reported a positive response to the drug, a response rate very similar to that observed in a previous study of patients with organic impotence. Response to yohimbine thus seems to be unrelated to current groupings of the cause of impotence. Yohimbine is a safe treatment for psychogenic impotence that seems to be as effective as sex and marital therapy for restoring satisfactory sexual functioning.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Erectile Dysfunction / diagnosis
  • Erectile Dysfunction / drug therapy*
  • Erectile Dysfunction / psychology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Random Allocation
  • Yohimbine / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Yohimbine