14 DAY TRIAL // Does an erection solve a man's sexual problems? Apparently, it doesn't, as found by a research made by Dr. Hayley Matic from Deakin's School of Psychology under the supervision of Professor Marita McCabe. It appears that oral drugs, known as PDE5 inhibitors, can bring back a man's "sexual function", but not his "sexual health" too.
"As well as the obvious physiological aspects, men with erectile dysfunction (ED) suffer a range of problems such as significantly poorer self esteem, sense of masculinity, sexual satisfaction and relationship satisfaction. This study found that overall well being was not improved in the men who had used medical interventions for their ED," said Matic.
The research analyzed the psychological and relationship impact of ED on the lives of 410 Australian men and on their mates, but also men's help-seeking behavior and experiences with oral medication as treatments for their ED. 242 men without ED were used for comparison.
"ED affects up to 50 % of men at some point in their lives and is generally treated with the use of oral medications. The focus on the medical and biological elements of ED has led to a relative dismissal of the role of psychological and relationship aspects of men's sexual experiences. As a result many men stop using the medications and continue to suffer ED as well as the associated problems with their masculinity, self-esteem and quality of life.", said Matic.
Improvements in a man's potency could be made if GPs and specialists who treat sexual dysfunctions are trained in the potential broad ranging impact of ED on a man's life. Those prescribing ED medications should be able to discuss with their patients about their expectations from that particular drug. Non-medical treatments for ED should be applied, in conjunction with medication or alone. The man's partner must be included in the treatment for impotence, in both medical and other settings.
"As medications are only potentially able to address the biological/physiological aspects of sexual arousal, there is a clear need to consider broader application of a biopsychosocial model of health to our understanding and treatment of ED," said Matic.