Involving regular partners when prescribing PDE-5 inhibitors: a critical note for professional organizations dealing with sexuality and sexual health

Abstract

This paper discusses the issues of regular partner's involvement in the prescription of PDE-5 inhibitors from several points of view: ethical, pragmatic, legal and social. It calls for professional and scientific organization to set up a strong recommendation of involving the sexual partner in the prescription. It also calls for collaboration between the pharmaceutical companies and the professional organizations in setting up training programmes for physicians and other health personnel to promote the appropriate discussion of sexual issues and couples' issues prior to prescribing ED drugs.

Keywords:

• couples therapy
• erectile dysfunction
• medical therapy
• PDE-5 inhibitors
• male

Acknowledgements

This article is dedicated to the memory of Professor Harold Lief who died recently. A great teacher, a mentor, and a “mench”.

I would like to thank Drs. Beryl and Noam Chernick of London, Canada. I believe their thoughtful comments have made this a better article. The responsibility for mistakes and disputed issues remains mine.