Sexual function and satisfaction in heterosexual couples when men are administered sildenafil citrate (Viagra) for erectile dysfunction: a multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect of improvement in erectile dysfunction (ED) on sexual function and satisfaction measures in heterosexual couples in which the woman reports that sexual intercourse is unsatisfactory at least half of the time.


METHODS
Multicentre, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.


METHODS
Outpatient medical clinics.


METHODS
Hundred and eighty men with ED and their female partners in whom sexual intercourse was satisfactory about half the time or less (score of < or =3 on the Female Partner of ED Subject Questionnaire question 3 [FePEDS Q3]).


METHODS
Men were randomised to flexible-dose sildenafil (25, 50, and 100 mg) or placebo as needed for 12 weeks.


METHODS
Primary: FePEDS Q3 ('Over the past four weeks, when you had sexual intercourse, how often was it satisfactory for you?') scored as 0 (no sexual activity) and 1 (almost never or never) to 5 (almost always or always). Secondary, partners: Sexual Function Questionnaire, Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), and ED Inventory of Treatment Satisfaction (EDITS) partner version (EDITS-Partner). Secondary, men: International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF), General Efficacy Questions, event log data, Self-Esteem And Relationship questionnaire, and EDITS. Secondary, partners and men: Dyadic Adjustment Scale.


RESULTS
The intention-to-treat population included 85 sildenafil recipients (mean age 59 +/- 12 years) and 91 placebo recipients (mean age 57 +/- 11 years). Most partners (aged 20-79 years; mean, 54 years) were postmenopausal. Sildenafil compared with placebo couples had greater improvement in the primary outcome (FePEDS Q3 [P < 0.0001]) and in sexual function, intercourse success rates, and secondary sexual satisfaction measures (FSFI satisfaction domain [P < 0.0001] and IIEF satisfaction domains [P < 0.001]) and had higher treatment satisfaction (EDITS and EDITS-Partner; P < 0.0001). Several predictors of improvement were identified, and improvement in one member of the couple correlated positively with improvement in the other member.


CONCLUSIONS
The interdependence of sexual function and sexual satisfaction measures between members of couples consisting of men with ED and sexually healthy women reporting infrequent satisfactory sexual intercourse underscores the importance of including partners in ED treatment discussions.
Heiman
J R
JR
Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender and Reproduction, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405-3700, USA. jheiman@indiana.edu
Talley
D R
DR
Bailen
J L
JL
Oskin
T A
TA
Rosenberg
S J
SJ
Pace
C R
CR
Creanga
D L
DL
Bavendam
T
T
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003075:Coitus / Q000523:psychology*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D020010:Heterosexuality / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D010726:Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010879:Piperazines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011687:Purines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D020018:Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological / Q000523:psychology; D012747:Sexual Partners; D000068677:Sildenafil Citrate; D013450:Sulfones / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D010726:Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors; D010879:Piperazines; D011687:Purines; D013450:Sulfones; D000068677:Sildenafil Citrate