Attitudes and experiences: qualitative perspectives on erectile dysfunction from the female partner

J Health Psychol. 2012 Jan;17(1):3-13. doi: 10.1177/1359105311404723. Epub 2011 May 17.

Abstract

This study explored the woman's experience of her partner's erectile dysfunction (ED) focusing particularly on sexual experiences, relationship satisfaction, and communication. One hundred women completed a semi-structured interview, providing information about how ED impacted her relationship with her partner. For some women, there was a sense of hopelessness and frustration surrounding their sex lives, while for others, her partner's ED had led to efforts towards increasing non-physical intimacy and sexual communication. These findings demonstrate the importance of the relationship, including communication between the partners, in a women's experience of her partners' ED.

MeSH terms

  • Erectile Dysfunction*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Interviews as Topic
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • New Zealand
  • Personal Satisfaction
  • Sexual Partners / psychology*