Psychobiological correlates of women's sexual interest as perceived by patients with erectile dysfunction.
BACKGROUND
We have recently reported that the perceived loss of a partner's sexual desire is independently associated with an increased incidence of major cardiovascular events in patients with erectile dysfunction (ED). No study has ever evaluated the specific impact of men's perception of women's sexual desire on male sexual function and lifestyle attitudes in ED subjects.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the clinical correlates of the perception of a partner's sexual desire [hypoactive sexual desire (HSD)] in a consecutive series of subjects seeking medical care for ED.


METHODS
A consecutive series of 2,303 heterosexual male patients (mean age 58.1 ± 10.5) was studied.


METHODS
Patients were interviewed with the Structured Interview on Erectile Dysfunction (SIEDY) structured interview. They also completed the Middlesex Hospital Questionnaire, a brief questionnaire for the screening of the symptoms of mental disorders.


RESULTS
Among the patients studied, 458 (19.9%) reported a mild loss of their partner's desire, 302 (13.1%) a moderate reduction of libido, while 118 (5.1%) complained of a complete absence of sexual interest on the part of their partner. After adjustment for confounding factors, the perceived women's HSD was associated with different sexual, lifestyle, and relational factors. In particular, more extra-marital affairs, a longer and more hostile couple relationship, as well as a stressful job and both alcohol and smoking abuse were all significantly associated with perceived women's HSD. In addition, the perceived women's moderate to severe HSD was significantly associated with severe ED and less frequent sexual intercourse. Finally, partner HSD was significantly associated with a stepwise increase of free-floating anxiety and depressive symptoms (adj. r = 0.081, P < 0.05 and 0.158, P < 0.0001, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
Perceived sexual interest (éros) on the part of the woman can be seen for men not only as a fun and enjoyable behavior, but also a safe strategy for improving a man's overall health and life expectancy.
Corona
Giovanni
G
Andrology Unit, Department of Clinical Physiopathology, University of Florence, Florence Italy; Endocrinology Unit, Medical Department, Azienda Usl, Maggiore-Bellaria Hospital, Bologna, Italy.
Bandini
Elisa
E
Andrology Unit, Department of Clinical Physiopathology, University of Florence, Florence Italy.
Fisher
Alessandra
A
Andrology Unit, Department of Clinical Physiopathology, University of Florence, Florence Italy.
Elisa
Maseroli
M
Andrology Unit, Department of Clinical Physiopathology, University of Florence, Florence Italy.
Boddi
Valentina
V
Andrology Unit, Department of Clinical Physiopathology, University of Florence, Florence Italy.
Balercia
Giancarlo
G
Endocrinology Unit, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy.
Sforza
Alessandra
A
Endocrinology Unit, Medical Department, Azienda Usl, Maggiore-Bellaria Hospital, Bologna, Italy.
Forti
Gianni
G
Andrology Unit, Department of Clinical Physiopathology, University of Florence, Florence Italy.
Mannucci
Edoardo
E
Diabetes Section Geriatric Unit, Department of Critical Care, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
Maggi
Mario
M
Andrology Unit, Department of Clinical Physiopathology, University of Florence, Florence Italy. Electronic address: m.maggi@DFC.UNIFI.IT.
D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018783:Impotence, Vasculogenic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D007989:Libido; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008393:Marriage / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D012307:Risk Factors; D020018:Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D013223:Statistics as Topic