Changes in sexual inhibition and excitation during PDE5I therapy

Abstract

The aim of this longitudinal study was to assess possible changes in sexual inhibition and excitation (measured using the Sexual Inhibition and Sexual Excitation Scales (SIS/SES)) in men being treated with PDE5 inhibitors (PDE5I) for ED. Established PDE5I users diagnosed with psychogenic ED completed the SES/SIS questionnaire at recruitment and 3 months later. On the basis of International Index of Erectile Function scores at recruitment, subjects were divided into two groups - mildly affected (M) and mild-to-moderately affected (MM). SES scores were significantly lower, and SIS1 scores were significantly higher in Group MM at recruitment and at 3 months (P<0.001). In Group M, SES scores increased (P<0.005) and SIS1 (P<0.001) and SIS2 (P=0.01) scores decreased over the 3 months of the study. In Group MM, ongoing decreases in SES and increases in SIS1 scores were observed (P<0.001). The results of multiple linear regression showed that SIS/SES variables were of little value in predicting erectile function (EF) at recruitment, or changes in EF during the study period. The results for Group M showed that men whose EF scores increased were more likely to experience increased SIS2 and decreased SES scores.