Urol. praxi. 2026;27(2):100-103 | DOI: 10.36290/uro.2025.053

Ethical issues in the treatment of erectile dysfunction

MUDr. Libor Zámečník, Ph.D., FEBU, FECSM, MBA
Sexuologický ústav VFN Praha
Urologická klinika VFN a 1. LF UK Praha
Klinické centrum ISCARE Praha

Erectile dysfunction (ED) represents a significant medical, psychological, and social issue. The treatment of ED occurs within a context of numerous ethical challenges that extend beyond standard clinical practice. This article summarizes twelve key areas, ranging from informed consent, access to care, and media influence to the spiritual dimension of sexuality. Special attention is also given to testosterone misuse and the commercialization of treatment. The aim of the text is to promote a comprehensive, respectful, and ethically grounded approach to patients with ED.

Keywords: erectile dysfunction, ethics, informed consent, communication, sexuality, stigma.

Received: June 24, 2025; Revised: July 8, 2025; Accepted: July 10, 2025; Published: June 10, 2026  Show citation

ACS AIP APA ASA Harvard Chicago Chicago Notes IEEE ISO690 MLA NLM Turabian Vancouver
Zámečník L. Ethical issues in the treatment of erectile dysfunction. Urol. praxi. 2026;27(2):100-103. doi: 10.36290/uro.2025.053.
Share...
Download citation
  • BibTeX (.bib)
  • Bookends (.ris)
  • EasyBib (.ris)
  • EndNote (.enw)
  • EndNote 8 (.xml)
  • ISI WoS (.isi)
  • Medlars (.medlars)
  • Mendeley (.ris)
  • MODS (.xml)
  • Papers (.ris)
  • RefWorks (.txt)
  • RefManager (.ris)
  • RIS (.ris)
  • MS Word (.xml)
  • Zotero (.ris)
    • Purchase PDF - 60 CZK (2.5 EUR)
    will be unlocked 10.6.2027

    References

    1. Feldman HA, Goldstein I, Hatzichristou DG, et al. Impotence and its medical and psychosocial correlates. J Urol. 1994;151(1):54-61. Go to original source...
    2. Salonia A, Boeri L, Capogrosso P, et al. Erectile dysfunction. In: AUA Guidelines on Sexual and Reproductive Health. Arnhem: EAU; 2024. Available from: https://uroweb.org/guidelines/sexual-and-reproductive-health.
    3. Zámečník L, Hanuš T. Specifika informovaného souhlasu v urologii. In: Ptáček R, Bartůněk P, eds. Informovaný souhlas: Etické, právní, psychologické a klinické aspekty. Praha: Galén; 2017:169-170.
    4. Beauchamp TL, Childress JF. Principles of Biomedical Ethics. 8th ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press; 2019.
    5. Sadovsky R. Asking the questions and offering solutions: the ongoing dialogue between the primary care physician and the patient with erectile dysfunction. Rev Urol. 2003;5 (suppl. 7):S35-48.
    6. Vaclová M, Vrablík M. Ateroskleróza v urologii. Urol. praxi. 2015;16(2):66-69.
    7. Corona G, Lee DM, Forti G, et al. Age-related changes in general and sexual health in middle-aged and older men - EMAS study. J Sex Med. 2010;7:1362-1380. Go to original source...
    8. Mobley DF, Khera M, Baum N. Recent advances in the treatment of erectile dysfunction. Postgrad Med J. 2017;93(1105):679-685. Go to original source...
    9. Gandaglia G, Briganti A, Jackson G, et al. A systematic review of the association between erectile dysfunction and cardiovascular disease. Eur Urol. 2014;65(5):968-978. Go to original source...
    10. Prusíková M, Vrablík M, Zámečník L, et al. Prevalence of risk factors of cardiovascular diseases in men with erectile dysfunction. Are they as frequent as we believe? Neuro Endocrinol Lett. 2011;32(suppl. 2):60-63.
    11. Asmundo MG, Durukan E, von Rohden E, et al. Platelet-rich plasma therapy in erectile dysfunction and Peyronie's disease: a systematic review of the literature. World J Urol. 2024;42(1):359. Go to original source...
    12. Bhasin S, Brito JP, Cunningham GR, et al. Testosterone therapy in men with hypogonadism: an Endocrine Society clinical practice guideline. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2018;103(5):1715-1744. Go to original source...

    Return to the content


    Urology for Practice

    Madam, Sir,
    please be aware that the website on which you intend to enter, not the general public because it contains technical information about medicines, including advertisements relating to medicinal products. This information and communication professionals are solely under §2 of the Act n.40/1995 Coll. Is active persons authorized to prescribe or supply (hereinafter expert).
    Take note that if you are not an expert, you run the risk of danger to their health or the health of other persons, if you the obtained information improperly understood or interpreted, and especially advertising which may be part of this site, or whether you used it for self-diagnosis or medical treatment, whether in relation to each other in person or in relation to others.

    I declare:

    1. that I have met the above instruction
    2. I'm an expert within the meaning of the Act n.40/1995 Coll. the regulation of advertising, as amended, and I am aware of the risks that would be a person other than the expert input to these sites exhibited

    No
    Yes

    If your statement is not true, please be aware
    that brings the risk of danger to their health or the health of others.