Sildenafil Citrate for the Sexual Dysfunction in Antidepressant-Treated Male Patients with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Abstract

Background: Previous studies have suggested that posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may be associated with pervasive sexual dysfunction. Sildenafil citrate was established as a highly effective and well-tolerated oral agent for the treatment of sexual dysfunction of various etiologies. There are no studies that have examined the efficacy of oral sildenafil in PTSD patients with sexual dysfunction. Objective: The current study evaluated the impact of sildenafil added to an ongoing antidepressive treatment in male PTSD patients. Methods: Ten consecutive male PTSD patients who complained of sexual dysfunction were enrolled in an open-label 4-week fixed-dose study of sildenafil citrate 50 mg/day p.r.n. Patients were evaluated at baseline and after treatment with the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS); sexual function assessments were performed using the International Index of Erectile Function. Results: All patients completed the study and statistically significant improvement was observed in all evaluated domains of sexual functioning: erectile function (53.5%), orgasmic function (40.3%), sexual desire (53%), intercourse satisfaction (82%) and overall satisfaction (57.4%). Oral sildenafil treatment appeared to be well tolerated and no single patient stopped the treatment. Improvements in various CAPS subscales were also obtained; however, there was no significant correlation between improvement in sexual functioning and the changes in CAPS subscale scores. Conclusion: Sildenafil seems to be an efficacious, safe and well-tolerated treatment of sexual dysfunction in antidepressant-treated male PTSD patients.

Effectiveness of Sildenafil in Treating Erectile Dysfunction in PTSD Patients

“…In comparison with the only previous study on sildenafil in PTSD, 12 which administered open-label sildenafil to 10 subjects with PTSD and found improvement in all sexual function domains, the present study similarly found that sildenafil significantly improved erectile function, sexual desire, and orgasmic function; however, we found no significant improvements in intercourse satisfaction and overall satisfaction compared with placebo.…”

“…Preliminary data from an open-label study of 10 PTSD subjects reported that sildenafil improved ED and the domains of desire, orgasm, intercourse satisfaction, and overall satisfaction. 12 The present study used a double-blind, crossover design to examine whether sildenafil is an effective treatment for ED in patients with chronic PTSD.…”

The Impact of Mental Illness on Sexual Dysfunction

“…Treating male PTSD sufferers with sildenafil in a dose of 50 mg brought about significant improvement (53.5%) in erection functionality and at the same time improved desire, orgasm and sexual satisfaction [77]. This study shows that the phases of the sexual cycle are connected to each other and improving one usually results in improvement of the other phases.…”

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Cardiometabolic Disease

“…It is also a symptom of endothelial dysfunction. PTSD is associated with pervasive sexual dysfunction [169]. Erectile difficulties are common among PTSD-afflicted Vietnam veterans [170].…”