Through the Eyes of Women: The Sexual and Psychological Responses of Women to their Partner’s Treatment with Self-Injection or External Vacuum Therapy

Abstract

We prospectively delineated and contrasted the sexual, marital and psychological responses of women to their partner's use of 2 treatments for erectile dysfunction: 1) self-injection of papaverine and phentolamine, and 2) vacuum tumescence therapy. The women were assessed at 5 points during a 12-month period with psychometric questionnaires and clinical interviews. Statistical analysis indicated that the women responded equally well to both treatments. They demonstrated significant increases in frequency of intercourse, sexual arousal, coital orgasm and sexual satisfaction. No significant changes were noted on the psychometric questionnaires. The women reported feeling more at ease in their relationships and characterized sex as more leisurely, relaxed and assured. Negative responses focused on the lack of spontaneity and hesitation about initiating sex. Self-injection and vacuum pump therapy restore potency in men and secondarily facilitate improved sexual function in women.

Sexual dysfunction in partners of men with premature ejaculation

“…Indeed, a study assessing the impact of successful treatment of PE on the partners sexual dysfunction would be very interesting, and hopefully as successful as seen in treating women's sexual dysfunction when treating the man for his ED. 14,[16][17][18][19][20] The results of the PEP-SI, SQOL and SRS indicate that the partners of men with PE have higher rates of negative emotional impact and dissatisfaction with sex. In addition, the female partners of men with PE demonstrate a lower perception of sexual quality of life and a poorer sexual relationship with their partners than the control group.…”

“…However, lending support to the theory that a woman's sexual difficulties can be contingent on her partners are a number of studies showing that the sexual functioning of women with partners who have ED improved significantly when the man's ED was treated with a phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE5i) 16 and, specifically, with sildenafil 14,17,18 or vardenafil. 19 Althof et al 20 reported improvements in women's sexual function when her partner's ED was treated with selfinjection or vacuum therapy, and Cayan et al 14 reported the same with ED treatment of penile prosthesis implantation.…”

Female Sexual Dysfunction: The Important Points to Remember

“…[42][43][44] Psychological and interpersonal factors are often involved. 9,37 Such factors, which can diminish sexual desire, include sudden events such as job loss, or the loss of a family member; cumulative events such as a woman's response to aging and menopause; life milestones such as a child's leaving home; and ongoing relationship stress.…”

“…[6][7][8] General practitioners, gynecologists, geriatrists, and urologists are attending groups of women with underlying chronic conditions with increased rates of concomitant sexual dysfunction. 5,9,10 Physicians who have a good rapport with these patients are in a unique position to help with these intimate problems, which are often difficult for patients to discuss. Therefore, it is of utmost importance to general practitioners, gynecologists, geriatrists, and urologists to become knowledgeable about and comfortable with the initial evaluation and possible treatment of FSD.…”

Erectile dysfunction: The perspectives of patients and partners on counselling

“…It has been assumed generally that the partners are usually accepting and supportive of the patient and his ED (13,14). Many investigators rightly advocate the active participation of the partner in the evaluation and treatment of the ED to enhance results (14)(15)(16)(17). However, attendance of the partners at the counselling sessions was poor and may have been an indication of underlying, pre-existing marital problems within the couple.…”