The impact of oral ED medication on female partners' relationship satisfaction.
BACKGROUND
Research has demonstrated that erectile dysfunction (ED) is a couple's problem, and that treatment for this condition is likely to impact on the man and his partner.


OBJECTIVE
The current study utilized a qualitative approach to evaluate the impact of treatment for ED on the female partner's perception of changes in the relationship.


METHODS
Analyses of the transcripts from the interviews.


METHODS
In total, 96 men were treated for ED using tadalafil and then sildenafil (or vice versa) each for 3 months. Their female partners were interviewed 3 months after the commencement of treatment.


RESULTS
The findings demonstrated an overall positive effect of the treatment. Female partners perceived improvements in emotional closeness, and communication, and reported that their relationship was more loving, less stressful, and more stable.


CONCLUSIONS
This study demonstrates the positive effects of treatment for ED on the female partner; in particular, on her perception of the quality of her relationship.
School of Psychology, Deakin University, Melbourne, Australia. marita.mccabe@deakin.edu.au
Marita P
MP
McCabe
Elodie J
EJ
O'Connor
John V
JV
Conaglen
Helen M
HM
Conaglen
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002243:Carbolines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003142:Communication; D004644:Emotions; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D010879:Piperazines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011687:Purines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000068677:Sildenafil Citrate; D013450:Sulfones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000068581:Tadalafil; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use
D002243:Carbolines; D010879:Piperazines; D011687:Purines; D013450:Sulfones; D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D000068581:Tadalafil; D000068677:Sildenafil Citrate