The author discusses two areas of psychophysiological research that may
be relevant to the diagnosis and treatment of sexual dysfunction:
investigations of sexual arousal in men and studies of nocturnal penile
tumescence. There has been no convincing evidence to date of a predictable,
generalizable autonomic response pattern to sexual arousal, but
neuroendocrine research in this area has shown promise. A close temporal
relationship has been found between REM sleep and penile tumescence in
normal men-deviations from this pattern may be related to sexual
dysfunction. The author suggests that further research is necessary in
these areas of potential diagnostic and prognostic significance.
Abstract Teaser