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We use this model when we interview men who have erectile dysfunction. This is called the erection hardness scale. And I was very involved with the Pfizer company who made Viagra to develop this model. We start with the most firm rod, which is here, and we call this a grade four out of four erection. And when you put pressure on it, it doesn’t deform and it’s consistent with an erection that’s rigid and can penetrate without difficulty. This is now consistent with what we call mild erectile dysfunction. So if you put a little bit of pressure, there may be some buckling, but it’s sufficient to penetrate under most situations. Here we have an erection that is not adequate for penetration. It’s more of an erection than not having an erection, but it’s not sufficient for penetration. So this is moderate erectile dysfunction. And then finally this is severe erectile dysfunction.
So when a person comes into the office and they say, “I can get an erection, but it’s not a great erection,” what we say is, “Oh, tell me which erection you used to have.” And everybody typically had the number four erection, and they say, “Well, I can get a two erection,” or “I get a 2.5 erection,” or “I get a one, and then when I take Viagra or some product like Viagra, I can increase my erection.” So if I’m a one to a two or from a two to a three. It takes a vague term, “erection,” and it gives it clarity to the provider, to the patient, and allows us to define improvement when we provide a therapy.
