Satisfaction with sex and erection hardness: results of the Asia-Pacific sexual health and overall wellness survey.

The Asia-Pacific Sexual Health and Overall Wellness (AP SHOW) survey assessed sexual satisfaction and health and the association with erection hardness in 13 Asia-Pacific countries/regions. Adults aged 25-74 years who had sexual intercourse > 1 time in the past 12 months answered Internet surveys or participated in street-intercept interviews. Data were weighted by demographics and country/region size. Of 3957 (men, n=2016 and women, n=1941) respondents, 41% of men and 34% of women were completely or very satisfied with sex. Satisfaction with sex was linked to satisfaction with life priorities and overall health. Few respondents (men, 38% and women, 26%) were very or completely satisfied with erection hardness. Optimal erection hardness was reported by 45% of men (48% of women regarding their partners' erections). Erection hardness was associated with increased frequency of sex and importance of and satisfaction with erection-related elements of men's sexual performance. Approximately half of respondents (men, 57% and women, 47%) were at least moderately interested in improving the sexual experience. Most Asia-Pacific respondents were less than very satisfied with sex. Satisfaction with sex was associated with satisfaction with life priorities. Erection hardness was associated with sexual satisfaction and activity, satisfaction with life priorities and overall health.

Evaluation of transurethral application of alprostadil for erectile dysfunction in Indonesians.

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of transurethral application of alprostadil (MUSE) for the treatment of erectile dysfunction in Indonesians. METHODS: Twenty erectile dysfunction patients aged between 32-74 years old were recruited in this study. The inclusion criteria were as follows: 1) adult males 18 years or older with a subjective complaint or erectile dysfunction, 2) to provide written informed consent, 3) to agree not to use other forms of treatment for erectile dysfunction, 4) fulfill the screening laboratory values. Part 1, eligible patients were titrated in the clinic starting with a dose of 250 microg and proceed in a stepwise manner to 500 microg and 1,000 microg on separate clinic visits until they identified a dose that produced a satisfactory response. The interval between each in-clinic titration was 2-3 days. Each in-clinic titration dose was evaluated at 15 min intervals over a one hour period for erection assessment, blood pressure and pulse. Part 2, patients used MUSE at home for three months at the dose identified during the in-clinic titration. Monthly interim visits were required for patient follow-up and drug distribution. At the end of the study, patients had another laboratory (except testosterone, only assayed in screening procedure) and physical examination. RESULTS: The etiology of erectile dysfunction was psychological in 5 patients and organic in 15 patients. The 65% of the patients achieved the erection scale of 4 or 5 either in the clinic or at home, 10% achieved the scale of 4 at home, but not in the clinic, and 25% only achieved the scale of 2 or 3 with the highest dose of 1,000 microg either in the clinic or at home. No significant differences were found in biochemical examination before and after the study. The 60% of the patients who achieved erection scale 4 or 5 continued to use MUSE until the end of the study, while 40% of them complained of pain at the time of MUSE application, during erection and/or during intercourse. They withdrew from the study. CONCLUSION: Transurethral application of alprostadil (MUSE) is effective and safe to produce erection sufficient for intercourse in erectile dysfunction of various etiologies. Pain during application, erection and intercourse is a common side effect and a cause of withdrawal.

Reversible azoospermia induced by an androgen-progestin combination regimen in Indonesian men.

The suppression of spermatogenesis by a combination of depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) and testosterone enanthate (TE) was studied in Indonesian men. Twenty healthy, fertile volunteers were allocated randomly to either of two treatments each consisting of four intramuscular injections at monthly intervals. Group I (n = 10 men) received 100 mg DMPA plus 100 mg TE monthly while group II (n = 10 men) received 200 mg DMPA plus 250 mg TE monthly. Sperm concentration was suppressed markedly, with all men attaining azoospermia between the third and fourth month after the start of treatment. There was no significant difference in the suppression of spermatogenesis between the two dosage regimens. The median time to reaching azoospermia was 2.5 months from the onset of injections and the median time to recovery of sperm in the ejaculate was 2.0 months after cessation of treatment. Both steroid regimens were equally effective in suppressing LH, FSH and testosterone levels. Testosterone levels returned to baseline by the fourth post-treatment month while LH and FSH demonstrated significant rebound above baseline levels from 3 to 5 months after cessation of treatment. No serious clinical side effects were observed. Weight gain and increases in libido were reported during treatment by most volunteers. A transient decrease in libido was noted in 5/20 (25%) men between 1-2 months after cessation of injections, presumably due to the prolonged effects of DMPA relative to TE. These results indicate that uniform induction of reversible azoospermia with minimal side effects can be achieved in a non-Caucasian population.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)