The Role of Erection Hardness in Determining Erectile Dysfunction (ED) Treatment Outcome

Whatever the cause of a man's erectile dysfunction (ED), the result is a loss of penile rigidity that impairs or precludes his ability to achieve or maintain vaginal penetration for sexual intercourse. Identification of the degree of impairment of penile rigidity and durability is an important component in the assessment of ED in both clinical practice and in clinical trials of oral drug treatments for ED. This focus on erection hardness is appropriate because men themselves emphasise this quality when they judge the effectiveness of treatment for ED. This attitude is because the ability to achieve a rigid and durable erection is frequently perceived by affected men as central to their sexual satisfaction and self-image as sexually competent; loss of this ability may have important adverse effects on their self-esteem, their sexual confidence, and, directly or indirectly, their relationship with their partner. There is a significant positive correlation between improvement in erection hardness and men's sexual self-confidence, sexual enjoyment, and satisfaction with their sexual relationship. Improvement in the rigidity and durability of erections following successful treatment of ED has the potential to allow men to experience better sex, not only by improving erection hardness, but also by restoring their emotional well-being and their partner's satisfaction.