The utility of sildenafil citrate for infertile men with sexual dysfunction: a pilot study.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the use the sildenafil citrate, recognized as a first-line therapy for men with erectile dysfunction (ED), and which is safe and effective in men with various causes and severity of ED, including psychogenic ED, in a population of infertile men with sexual dysfunction.


METHODS
Infertility is a major source of life stress and might be associated with sexual dysfunction through the erosion of self-esteem and self-confidence, and in stimulating discord in a relationship. Men presenting for evaluation of fertility who on questioning by the physician reported the recent onset of sexual dysfunction, had a history taken, a physical examination, hormonal profile, and completed the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF), a validated inventory for assessing sexual dysfunction. Thirty men with a score of <26 on the erectile function domain of the IIEF, or who complained of new onset rapid or delayed ejaculation, were treated with sildenafil with no randomization or placebo control. The evaluation was repeated and the IIEF completed again > or =3 months after starting treatment.


RESULTS
For men complaining of ED, subjective erectile rigidity, duration of erection, and the percentage of successful penetration attempts significantly improved with sildenafil. The mean (sd) IIEF domain scores for erection and satisfaction, at 18 (4) vs 27 (3), and 12 (2) vs 16 (3) (both P = 0.01), and orgasm, at 4 (1) vs 6 (3) (P = 0.001), respectively, significantly improved after treatment. In patients with ejaculatory dysfunction, the function improved in 64% after sildenafil therapy.


CONCLUSIONS
We identified the nature of sexual dysfunction associated with male-factor infertility, and showed the efficacy of sildenafil therapy in men with this condition.
Boorjian
Stephen
S
Department of Urology, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York Presbyterian Hospital, NY, NY 10021, USA.
Hopps
Carin V
CV
Ghaly
Sameh W
SW
Parker
Marilyn
M
Mulhall
John P
JP
D000328:Adult; D004542:Ejaculation / Q000187:drug effects; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010726:Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D010879:Piperazines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011687:Purines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012649:Self Concept; D000068677:Sildenafil Citrate; D013450:Sulfones / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D010726:Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors; D010879:Piperazines; D011687:Purines; D013450:Sulfones; D000068677:Sildenafil Citrate