Comparing Sildenafil Alone Vs. Sildenafil Plus Brief Couple Sex Therapy on Erectile Dysfunction and Couples' Sexual and Marital Quality of Life: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Treatment options for managing erectile dysfunction (ED) include medical and psychological interventions. The present study examined the effectiveness of a drug-only vs. combined treatment approach on erectile function as well as other domains of sexual function and cognition, couple intimacy and adaptation, and treatment satisfaction. Couples with ED were randomly assigned to either Viagra-only (VO) or Viagra plus sex therapy (VST). Sexual and relationship variables were measured at specific time points. Despite limitations, study findings extend previous conclusions and provide empirical support for the effectiveness and satisfaction with the combined treatment approach for treating men with ED of mixed etiology.

Notes

^a p < .05,

^b p ≤ .01: comparative treatment effectiveness (VO vs. VST) at post-treatment.

^d p ≤ .01: comparative treatment effectiveness (VO vs. VST) at follow-up.

^e p < .05,

^f p ≤ .01: effectiveness of each treatment (VO or VST) from pre- to post-treatment.

^g p < .05, ^h p ≤ .01: effectiveness of each treatment (VO or VST) from post-treatment to at follow-up.

^a p ≤ .01: comparison between VO vs VST at follow-up.

^c p ≤ .01: post-treatment to follow-up comparisons for each type of treatment.

^b p < .05,

^d p < .05 comparative treatment satisfaction (VO vs VST).

^e p < .05 comparative Sildenafil use (VO vs.: VST).

*Higher scores indicate higher satisfaction.