The role of the female partner in early detection, seek help behaviour of the male and compliance with treatment

Abstract

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a condition that has an impact on the female partners. Recent data show that the female plays a significant role in the treatment seeking behavior and the continuation of treatment of ED. A research program was established to investigate if the female partner could help in the detection process of ED in her male partner. The first phase consisted of focus group with females whose partners had confirmed ED. The second phase included the testing of the 23 items resulting form the qualitative phase, in a group of 83 females, 38 with partner with ED and 45 without ED, both confirmed by clinical diagnosis. 21 of the 23 items discriminated the groups. A final selection of 6 items that resulted form identifying the best combination of sensitivity and specificity, the Spearman rho correlation with the Sexual Health Inventory (SHIM). The third phase consisted in the implementation of a multinational and multicenter study assessing the validity and reliability of the final scale, named Female Assessment of Male Erectile Dysfunction (FAME), among 108 English speaking couples, 51 with partner with ED and 57 with no ED, confirmed with clinical diagnosis. The FAME correlated very highly and significantly with clinical diagnosis (rho=0.791, p < 0.001), and the SHIM answered by the male partner (rho=0.788, p < 0.001) and had very good sensitivity (96.1%) and specificity (86.0%) The impact of ED in the female partner is very significant. ED can be detected if the female partner is addresses. This research illuminates the complex interaction between the man with ED and his female partner.