International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) scores generated by men or female partners correlate equally well with own satisfaction (sexual, partnership, life, and mental health)

Abstract

Introduction: Erectile dysfunction has adverse implications for both men and their female partners. The International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) is a widely used self-report measure. It was unclear whether scores generated by women on behalf of men are comparable to self-reports, and how IIEF scores are associated with satisfaction for both sexes in both sexual and nonsexual realms (e.g., mental health).

Aims: To examine sex differences in IIEF-5 scores generated by both sexes, and to examine associations of IIEF-5 scores with satisfaction aspects (sexual, life, own mental health, partnership) and with women's vaginal orgasm consistency (VOC).

Methods: A representative sample of Czechs (787 men and 720 women not from the same couple) aged 35-65 years completed the IIEF-5, LiSat satisfaction scale items, and provided penile-vaginal intercourse (PVI) frequency, and for women, VOC.

Main outcome measures: Correlations between satisfaction measures and IIEF-5 scores separately by sex. To examine sex differences: t-test for IIEF-5 score and tests for difference of a correlation for associations of IIEF-5 with satisfaction measures. Analysis of covariance examined the association of IIEF-5 scores and VOC. Multiple regression calculated satisfaction scores from IIEF-5, PVI frequency, age, and for women: VOC.

Results: IIEF-5 scores generated by men and by women were similar, and similarly positively correlated with all satisfaction measures (r: 0.41-0.45 with sexual, 0.23-0.34 with other; all P < 0.001). IIEF-5 correlated positively with VOC. Multivariate analyses indicated IIEF-5 scores; PVI frequency (and for women, VOC) make independent contributions to aspects of satisfaction for both sexes.

Conclusions: In this representative sample, women generated IIEF-5 scores similar to men-generated scores. For both sexes, greater IIEF-5 scores and PVI frequency (plus VOC for women) are associated with greater sexual and nonsexual satisfaction. Better erectile function was associated with greater VOC. Greater support for optimizing specifically PVI function, frequency, and quality is warranted.