Effect of erectile dysfunction medications on coexisting sexual dysfunctions in couples: Partners' Preference Study

Abstract

There is sparse information on how treatments for erectile dysfunction (ED) affects couples. This study investigated the effects of ED treatments on 100 heterosexual couples' sexual functioning and whether function achieved using a short-acting versus a long-acting ED medication differed significantly. Couples were randomized to use tadalafil or sildenafil for each of two 12-week study phases; they completed questionnaires (International Index of Sexual Function and Female Sexual Function Index) and kept sexual event diaries. All participants experienced significant improvements over baseline sexual functioning, while the men used short-or long-acting ED medications with no significant differences related to the duration of drug action recorded for either the men or women. Despite this lack of difference in efficacy there was a strong preference by women (79%) and their partners (16%) for the longer-acting medication. The reasons for this warrant further investigation. Understanding the effects on couples of the use of ED medications is a necessary aspect of ensuring ongoing sexual satisfaction in couples treated for ED.

An investigation of sexual dysfunction in female partners of men with erectile dysfunction: how interviews expand on questionnaire responses

“…In studies employing the FSFI, domains in which improvement has been reported include arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction and overall scores. 11,16,17 Although the FEMALES study reported improvements in women's sexual desire, 11 neither Cayan et al 17 nor Conaglen et al, 16 found significant improvements in that domain. Further, the Goldstein et al 11 paper reported no pain changes, whereas Cayan et al 17 and Conaglen et al 16 both reported improvements in women's levels of pain once their partner's ED was treated.…”

“…[9][10][11][12] Most of these studies have relied on standardized sexual function (for example, Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI)) 13 and treatment satisfaction questionnaires. [14][15][16] Women with FSFI scores concomitant with sexual dysfunction (o26.5) were excluded from some studies because of the potential of such 'dysfunction' to have a negative impact on the effect of men's ED treatments on the couples. 10,11 However, a recent treatment study, that included all women regardless of their dysfunctional status, reported that once the man's ED had been effectively treated the putative 'dysfunction' was no longer present in many of the women.…”

“…In studies employing the FSFI, domains in which improvement has been reported include arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction and overall scores. 11,16,17 Although the 16 both reported improvements in women's levels of pain once their partner's ED was treated. The findings from the FEMALES study may have been influenced by it being retrospective and excluding women reporting pain at baseline.…”

“…10,11 However, a recent treatment study, that included all women regardless of their dysfunctional status, reported that once the man's ED had been effectively treated the putative 'dysfunction' was no longer present in many of the women. 16 Although these reports, based on the standardized measures, detail overall changes in the women's sexual function as their partners were treated, they do not describe why the women experience improvement in their sexual function.Several studies reporting women's sexual function changes during their partner's ED treatment show disparities in the effects on women of treating men's erection problems. In studies employing the FSFI, domains in which improvement has been reported include arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction and overall scores.…”

“…10,11 However, a recent treatment study, that included all women regardless of their dysfunctional status, reported that once the man's ED had been effectively treated the putative 'dysfunction' was no longer present in many of the women. 16 Although these reports, based on the standardized measures, detail overall changes in the women's sexual function as their partners were treated, they do not describe why the women experience improvement in their sexual function.…”