Method of treatment and prophylaxis

Abstract

Treatment or prophylaxis of persistent penile erection resulting from, for example, physiological dysfunction, trauma, surgical intervention, or chemical induction. The method of the present invention is practiced by the administration of an agent capable of inducing, promoting, or otherwise facilitating contraction of the cavernosum. Another aspect of the present invention provides a composition comprising a cavernosum contraction-inducing, -promoting, or -facilitation agent. In one embodiment, the agents of the present invention are prostaglandins or functional derivatives, homologues, analogues, agonists, mimetics, or metabolites thereof. This invention also provides a means for diagnosing the physiological basis behind penile dysfunction.