In 1979, while conducting research for the completion of a textbook for Cambridge University Press on the neuroendocrinology of the genitourinary system (1) , I became briefly distracted by a startling discovery buried deep in the research publications. It was a common belief during this period that 90% of the time erectile dysfunction, or “impotence” as it was loosely labeled, was the result of a psychologic disorder. This belief had gone unchallenged for nearly thirty years in the literature. And yet, as part of due diligence, I traced the original source of this bias to an article written in the British Medical Journal in 1950 by “expert” Dr. S.L. Simpson who stated without evidence that “It is perhaps of clinical interest that for every one case of organic impotence that comes my way, I see at least 10 of psychological impotence.” (2) Tapping into more current studies in the vascular, neurologic and endocrinologic literature, some months later, I published in a US peer reviewed medical journal the paper, “Psychogenic Impotence: A Critical Review”.(3) In that paper I argued for the use of scientific nomenclature (“erectile dysfunction” versus “impotence”), additional research to define the physiology and pathophysiology of erectile function and dysfunction, and for the demystification and greater transparency around this essential bodily function. Twenty years later I spent 2 years traveling with Senator Bob Dole in a campaign to promote transparency and open discussion of erectile dysfunction between patients and their physicians, and the associated risks of underlying heart disease, diabetes and hypertension.

The three failings that victimized those suffering from erectile dysfunction, namely sloppy nomenclature, weak or absent research and non-transparency, have now trapped leaders of the Roman Catholic Church in a downward spiral.
(CONTINUE….)

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