Methods and compositions for preventing and treating male erectile dysfunction and female sexual arousal disorder

A method for preventing or treating male erectile dysfunction or female sexual arousal disorder, which method comprises administering to a mammal to whom such prevention or treatment is needed or desirable, an effective amount of

• a) vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) or a functional derivative or fragment thereof, or a nucleic acid encoding said VEGF or functional derivative or fragment thereof, or an agent that enhances production and/or said male erection or female sexual arousal stimulating function of said VEGF, or
• b) brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) or a functional derivative or fragment thereof, or a nucleic acid encoding said BDNF or functional derivative or fragment thereof, or an agent that enhances production and/or said male erection or female sexual arousal stimulating function of said BDNF, or
• c) basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) or a functional derivative or fragment thereof, or a nucleic acid encoding said bFGF or functional derivative or fragment thereof, or an agent that enhances production and/or said male erection or female sexual arousal stimulating function of said bFGF,
• thereby preventing or treating said male erectile dysfunction or female sexual arousal disorder in said mammal.