Objectives: To evaluate, using an self-administered questionnaire, the characteristics of sexual function in treated hypertensives.

Methods: In 459 hypertensive subjects, aged of 59 +/- 12 years, living in France and referred to hypertension specialists, a self-administered questionnaire evaluating quality of life and antihypertensive treatment was given before the consultation. Several questions focused on the quality of sexual function since the last 12 months (interest for sexuality, sexual pleasure, quality of erection). Details on antihypertensive treatments and cardiovascular characteristics were obtained from medical records. Antihypertensive treatments were prescribed since more than 10 years for 39% of subjects, since 5-10 years for 25%, since 1-5 years for 26%, and since less than 1 year for 10%.

Results: In this population of treated hypertensives, blood pressure level was higher in men than in women (145 +/- 22/86 +/- 13 vs 135 +/- 25/76 +/- 15; p < 0.01). In the questionnaire, the section with sexual function questions was filled out extensively in 92% of men (248/268), but only in 74% of women (142/191). Sexual disturbance was declared by 38% of cases (148/390), but rate was significantly higher in men as compared to women (49% vs 18%; p < 0.01). In men, these modifications were characterised by an interest for sexuality decreased for 58%, unchanged for 41% and increased for 1%. Sexual pleasure was decreased for 49%, unchanged for 50%, and increased for 1%. Quality of erection was modified in 45%. The erections were less frequent for 31%, less durable for 19% and impossible for 11%. In women, interest for sexuality was decreased for 41% and unchanged for 59%, sexual pleasure was decreased for 34% and unchanged for 66%. Logistic regression analysis indicates that gender (p < 0.001), greater number of antihypertensive tablets (p < 0.01), prescription of diuretics (p = 0.03) and presence of coronaropathy (p = 0.01) were independent determinants for sexual disturbance in treated hypertensives.

Conclusion: This study indicates that sexual disturbance is declared by 38% of patients treated for hypertension. Because complaints are more frequent in men, treated with multiple medications including a diuretic, a specific interrogation should be proposed more regularly in these patients in order to detect and to deal with, if possible, sexual disability.