• If the product is advertised as effective for treating impotence—and no physician’s prescription is necessary—forget it. It won’t cure the condition.

• If the product is advertised as a “breakthrough” in treating impotence, check with your doctor to see if it is legitimate.

• If the product is promoted by a “medical organization,” call your physician to check the credentials. Phony “clinics” and sham “institutes” are touting bogus cures for impotence.

• If the product says “scientifically proven” to reverse impotence in a high percentage of patients, check it out with your doctor. Some claims that “clinical studies” prove a product works are false; generally, high success rates should raise suspicions. But impotence is a treatable condition.

• If the product being pitched to cure impotence is “herbal” or “all natural,” dismiss it. To date, no “herbal” or “all natural” substance has been shown to be an effective treatment for impotence.

Before you buy any impotence treatments check out the FTC’s Consumer Alert, The Truth About Impotence Treatment Claims. You can also access additional information on diet, health and fitness, and shopping online.

For more information about impotence, write to the American Foundation for Urologic Disease, Inc., Sexual Function Health Council, 1128 North Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21201, or call 1-800-242-2383.