Sexual Dysfunction in Women Partners of Men With Erectile Dysfunction

Abstract

We evaluated 113 female partners of men with erectile dysfunction (ED) attending a sexual dysfunction clinic in order to define sexual dysfunction among these women. In all, 51 (45%) women denied having any sexual dysfunction. The other 62 (55%) responded to questions classifying their complaint(s) according to the international classification of female sexual dysfunction (FSD) in the following topics (40/62, 65%, reported having more than one problem): decreased sexual desire (n1⁄4 35, 56%), sexual aversion (none), arousal (n1⁄4 23, 37%) and orgasmic disorders (n1⁄4 39, 63%), dyspareunia (n1⁄4 19, 31%), vaginismus (n1⁄4 3, 5%), and noncoital sexual pain (none). Many female partners of men with ED report having some form of sexual disorder, mostly orgasmic problems and decreased sexual desire. Therefore, for optimal outcome of ED treatment, evaluation and treatment of male and FSD should be addressed as one unit within the context of the couple, and be incorporated into one clinic of sexual medicine. International Journal of Impotence Research (2006) 18, 44–46. doi:10.1038/sj.ijir.3901367; published online 28 July 2005