Investigating women's preference for sildenafil or tadalafil use by their partners with erectile dysfunction: the partners' preference study.
BACKGROUND
Several preference studies comparing a short-acting with a longer-acting phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor have been conducted in men. Most men in those studies preferred tadalafil rather than sildenafil, and recent post hoc analysis of one study described several factors associated with men's treatment preference. No prospective studies have investigated the woman partners' preferences.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the treatment preference of women who were partners of men using oral medications for erectile dysfunction (ED) in a single-center open-label crossover study.


METHODS
One hundred heterosexual couples in stable relationships, with male partners having ED based on the erectile function subscale of the International Index of Erectile Function, were randomly assigned to receive sildenafil or tadalafil for a 12-week phase, followed by another 12-week period using the alternate drug. Male and female participants completed sexual event diaries during both study phases, and the female participants were interviewed at baseline, midpoint, and end of study.


METHODS
Primary outcome data were the women's final interviews during which they were asked which drug they preferred and their reasons for that preference.


RESULTS
A total of 79.2% of the women preferred their partners' use of tadalafil, while 15.6% preferred sildenafil. Preference was not affected by age or treatment order randomization. Women preferring tadalafil reported feeling more relaxed, experiencing less pressure, and enjoying a more natural or spontaneous sexual experience as reasons for their choice. Mean number of tablets used, events recorded, events per week, and days between events were not significantly different during each study phase.


CONCLUSIONS
Women's preferences were similar to men when using these two drugs. While the women's reasons for preferring tadalafil emphasized relaxed, satisfying, longer-lasting sexual experiences, those preferring sildenafil focused on satisfaction and drug effectiveness for their partner.
Conaglen
Helen M
HM
University of Waikato-Psychology, Hamilton, New Zealand;. Electronic address: helen@tpc.org.nz.
Conaglen
John V
JV
University of Auckland-Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, Hamilton, New Zealand.
D002243:Carbolines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D010726:Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010879:Piperazines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011687:Purines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012747:Sexual Partners / Q000523:psychology*; D000068677:Sildenafil Citrate; D013450:Sulfones / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000068581:Tadalafil
D002243:Carbolines; D010726:Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors; D010879:Piperazines; D011687:Purines; D013450:Sulfones; D000068581:Tadalafil; D000068677:Sildenafil Citrate