Improvement in Emotional Well-Being and Relationships of Users of Sildenafil

PURPOSE: The authors estimated the association of sildenafil use with erectile function, relationships with sexual partner, functional status and emotional well-being in men with erectile dysfunction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Letters were mailed to eligible patients at a university hospital urology and internal medicine clinic, and university affiliated community primary care clinics by the primary care provider or urologist inviting them to participate in the study. Of the eligible sample 124 men (53%) completed and returned a survey, including 85 who reported current sildenafil use. Change scores in these patients were calculated using the International Index of Erectile Function, marital interaction scale from the Cancer Rehabilitation Evaluation System Short Form, 5-item emotional well-being scale of the RAND 36-Item Health Survey and 12-Item Short Form Health Survey. RESULTS: Sildenafil users reported an 88% increase in erectile function scores, 60% increase in overall sexual satisfaction and 36% increase in intercourse satisfaction related to the use of sildenafil (p <0.001). Of the respondents 38% indicated that using sildenafil had definitely improved quality of life. Likewise 29% of respondents indicated that using sildenafil had definitely improved the relationship with their partner. With sildenafil there was a statistically significant improvement in the scores of erectile and sexual function (p <0.001), sexual partner relationship (p = 0.007) and emotional well-being (p<0.001). In a multivariate model improved erectile function and sexual partner relationship were each significantly associated with improved emotional well-being (R2 = 0.20, p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Sildenafil users reported significant improvements in erectile and sexual function that were associated with positive changes in emotional well-being and the sexual partner relationships with their sexual partner.