In addition to the observation that erectile dysfunction is more prevalent in patients with hypertension than in an age matched general population, our study shows that it is more severe in those with hypertension than in the general population.

In addition to the observation that erectile dysfunction is more prevalent in patients with hypertension than in an age matched general population, our study shows that it is more severe in those with hypertension than in the general population.

Our objective was to investigate sexual activity, behavior, dysfunction, and satisfaction in hypertensive women. Sixty-seven patients with a mean age of 60.4 years completed a detailed questionnaire. Of these women, 81.3% had a sex partner; 42.6% had untreated sexual dysfunction with a duration of more than 5 years in 70.9% and a duration of more than 10 years in 41.7%; 5.3% initiated sexual activity; 36.6% reported less sexual activity than desired; and 54.8% reported sexual activity as important. Our study revealed highly prevalent untreated sexual dysfunction of long duration. It also showed low frequency of sexual activity in spite of the high availability of partners. There was low frequency of initiation of sexual activity. In spite of the high prevalence of sexual dysfunction, more than a third of patients reported sexual activity to be less than desired, and more than half of patients reported sexual activity as important.

Childhood sexual abuse (CSA) is the form of sexual victimization most correlated with sexual dysfunction in adulthood (Atkeson, Calhoun, Resick, & Ellis, 1994; Sarwer & Durlak, 1996; Laumann, Paik, & Rosen, 1999). The goal of this study was to address the sexual ramifications of unresolved CSA and consider the effectiveness of vasoactive pharmacotherapy, specifically sildenafil, for the treatment of women with unresolved CSA. The sample included 35 women (mean age, 45 years) who presented to a sexual health clinic and who were not of childbearing potential. Of the sample 7 women (23%) had a history of unresolved CSA. Following a psychosexual history and medical evaluation, all women were treated with 100 mg of sildenafil, to be used over a 6-week period at home. When home doses were complete, participants filled out the FIEI, a valid and reliable 5-item questionnaire asking about sexual response post sildenafil. Parameters of sexual response included vaginal lubrication, amount and quality of sensation, satisfaction with intercourse, and ability to reach orgasm. Trends were calculated comparing women with and without unresolved CSA history. A minority of women with CSA responded positively to sildenafil.