Erectile Dysfunction in Men With Congenital Heart Disease

Abstract

There has been a tremendous focus on gynecologic health with the increasing number of women with congenital heart disease (CHD). Conversely, experience in providing sexual health screening to men with CHD is lacking. The purpose of this study was to identify sexual health issues in men with CHD. An anonymous survey was distributed to men in our adult CHD clinic. Age, type of CHD, medications, detailed sexual history including cardiovascular symptoms with intercourse, erectile dysfunction (ED), and willingness to discuss ED with a physician was obtained. A logistic regression analysis was performed to analyze the relation between medications, CHD complexity, and ED; 86 men completed the survey with a mean age of 34 +/- 10 years. The prevalence of ED was 38%. Men were treated with cardiac medications including beta blockers (BB; 24%), angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors (8%), calcium-channel blockers (6%), and combination BB and ACE inhibitor therapy (16%). Men on BB were 3.13 times more likely to report ED (p = 0.045). Complexity of CHD did not increase the likelihood of ED symptoms (p >0.10). Although most men attributed symptoms to their underlying CHD, most were willing to discuss issues of ED with their cardiologist. In conclusion, ED is prevalent in young men with CHD. Although an emotional component may contribute, certain medications may exacerbate symptoms.