Effect of the angiotensin II antagonist valsartan on sexual function in hypertensive men

The present open and prospective study was performed to investigate the effect of the angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) valsartan on sexual function in hypertensive males. Patients who were either newly treated or who were switched from other treatment regimens received valsartan 80-160 mg/day. Blood pressure decreased from an average of 158/94 mmHg to 136/82 mmHg during the 6 months of treatment ( p < 0.001). The patients' sexual function was assessed before valsartan and after 6 months of treatment using the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF), an internationally validated 15-item questionnaire. The IIEF addresses the relevant domains of male sexual function, i.e. erectile function, orgasmic function, sexual desire, intercourse satisfaction and overall satisfaction. At baseline, 75.4% of the total group of 3502 patients investigated and 65.0% of the subgroup of patients without previous antihypertensive treatment ( n = 952) could be diagnosed as having erectile dysfunction (ED) according to the IIEF. Valsartan therapy markedly reduced ED in these groups to 53% and 45% ( p < 0.0001), respectively. Improved ED was associated with highly significant improvements in orgasmic function, intercourse and overall satisfaction both in the total and previously untreated groups. In addition, sexual desire averaged 5.64 +/- 1.99 IIEF units in the total and 5.99 +/- 2.03 in the group without antihypertensive treatment at baseline. Valsartan markedly increased these numbers to 6.82 +/- 1.72 and 7.06 +/- 1.68 ( p < 0.0001), respectively. The results of our open study suggest that the ARB valsartan improves sexual function in hypertensive males.