From Stigma to Solutions: A Collaborative Healthcare Team Approach to Erectile Dysfunction
Target Audience: Pharmacist
Course Overview
Erectile dysfunction (ED) affects nearly half of all men at some point in their lives and is the most common cause of sexual dysfunction in the United States. Despite growing awareness, many patients remain hesitant to discuss ED, making it a frequently overlooked yet important health concern. ED often signals underlying conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or psychological distress, which further highlights the need for a comprehensive, patient-centered approach. This continuing education activity will empower healthcare providers, including physicians, nurse practitioners, pharmacists, behavioral health professionals, and others, to recognize ED as a critical component of men’s health. Learners will review the etiology, pathophysiology, and treatment of ED, including lifestyle interventions, pharmacologic treatments, and emerging therapies. The session will also highlight strategies to reduce stigma, enhance communication, and foster collaboration among team members, thereby supporting improved outcomes and patient-centered care.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this educational activity, participants should be able to:
- Describe the prevalence and underlying causes of erectile dysfunction
- Compare and contrast phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors
- Recall indications, contraindications, side effect profiles, and monitoring parameters for erectile dysfunction treatments
- Identify the roles of healthcare team members in the management of erectile dysfunction
Faculty
I. Introduction
II. Etiology and Risk Factors
III. Pathophysiology of Erectile Dysfunction
IV. Diagnosing Erectile Dysfunction
V. Evidence-Based Management of Erectile Dysfunction
A. AUA Reaffirmation
B. Goals of Treatment
C. Treating Psychogenic ED
D. Lifestyle Interventions as a Foundation of ED Management
VI. Phosphodiesterase-5 Inhibitors
A. Mechanism of Action and Pharmacokinetics
B. Dosing and Optimization
C. Adverse Effects
D. Patient Monitoring and Counseling
E. PDE5i Efficacy
F. Emerging and Nontraditional Benefits
VII. Prostaglandin E1
A. Mechanism of Action and Dosing
B. Intracavernosal Administration
C. Adverse Reactions
D. Patient Monitoring
E. Alprostadil Efficacy
VIII. Testosterone
IX. Advances in Non-Oral and Regenerative Therapies for Erectile Dysfunction
X. Summary
From July 29, 2025 through July 29, 2028, participants must:
- Read the "learning objectives" and "author and planning team disclosures"
- Study the section entitled "educational activity"
- Complete the Course Test and Evaluation form. The Course Test will be graded automatically. Following successful completion of the Course Test with a score of 70% or higher, a statement of participation will be made available immediately. (No partial credit will be given.)
Credit for this course will be automatically uploaded to CPE Monitor®.
Faculty Planner Disclosure
The following individuals were involved in developing this activity: L. Austin Fredrickson, MD, FACP, Liz Fredrickson, PharmD, BCPS, Kristina (Tia) Neu, RN, and Pamela Sardo, PharmD, BS. None of the individuals involved in developing this activity have a conflict of interest or financial relationships related to the subject matter. There are no financial relationships or commercial or financial support relevant to this activity to report or disclose by RxCe.com or any of the individuals involved in the development of this activity.
Unlabeled Use Disclosure
The information provided in this course is general in nature and it is solely designed to provide participants with continuing education credit(s). This course and materials are not meant to substitute for the independent, professional judgment of any participant regarding that participant’s professional practice, including but not limited to patient assessment, diagnosis, treatment and/or health management. Medical and pharmacy practices, rules, and laws vary from state to state, and this course does not cover the laws of each state; therefore, participants must consult the laws of their state as they relate to their professional practice. Healthcare professionals, including pharmacists and pharmacy technicians, must consult with their employer, healthcare facility, hospital, or other organization, for guidelines, protocols, and procedures they are to follow. The information provided in this course does not replace those guidelines, protocols, and procedures but is for academic purposes only, and this course’s limited purpose is for the completion of continuing education credits. Participants are advised and acknowledge that information related to medications, their administration, dosing, contraindications, adverse reactions, interactions, warnings, precautions, or accepted uses are constantly changing, and any person taking this course understands that such person must make an independent review of medication information prior to any patient assessment, diagnosis, treatment and/or health management. Any discussion of off-label use of any medication, device, or procedure is informational only and such uses are not endorsed hereby. Nothing contained in this course represents the opinions, views, judgments, or conclusions of RxCe.com LLC. RxCe.com LLC is not liable or responsible to any person for any inaccuracy, error, or omission with respect to this course, or course material.
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Accreditation
In support of improving patient care, RxCE.com is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.