Evaluation of the sexual function of female partners of men with erectile dysfunction receiving different treatment modalities: An observational study

Objective: To evaluate sexual functions of patients with erectile dysfunction (ED) and their female partners. Methods: A total of 90 consecutive ED patients who received different ED therapies and their partners and 90 consecutive controls and their partners were divided into four groups. All participants were evaluated by the 15-item international index of erectile function and the Arabic version of female sexual function index (Ar-FSFI). Results: All ED patients who received sildenafil demonstrated significant improvements of their erectile function compared to baseline. Their partners did not demonstrate improvements in frequency of pain during vaginal penetration (3.86 +/- 0.58, 3.93 +/- 0.45, p =0.477), confidence of becoming aroused (3.86 +/- 0.58, 3.93 +/- 0.45, p = 0.477), frequency of satisfaction with arousal (3.07 +/- 0.37, 3.03 +/- 0.49, p = 0.712), and maintenance of lubrication (4.37 +/- 0.49, 4.23 +/- 0.73, p = 0.354). All ED patients who received quadmix demonstrated significant improvements of their erectile function compared to baseline. Their partners did not demonstrate improvements in desire level (2.6 +/- 0.67, 2.63 +/- 0.85, p=0.869) and lubrication maintenance (3.53 +/- 0.82, 3.47 +/- 0.82, p = 0.423). Finally, All ED patients who underwent semi rigid penile implant demonstrated significant improvements of their erectile function compared to baseline. Their female partners demonstrated significant improvements in all items of FSFI-19 compared to baseline except the frequency of pain during vaginal penetration (3.86 +/- 0.58, 3.93 +/- 0.45, p = 0.477), confidence of becoming aroused (3.86 +/- 0.58, 3.93 +/- 0.45, p=0.477), frequency of satisfaction with arousal (3.07 +/- 0.37, 3.03 +/- 0.49, p= 0.712), and maintenance of lubrication (4.37 +/- 0.49, 4.23 +/- 0.73, p= 0.354). Conclusions: Sexual functions of ED males significantly improved after ED therapies. Nevertheless, some sexual functions of their partners were not positively impacted.