ERECTION drugs might improve performance in bed but they do little to boost a man's self esteem or improve their relationship, research shows.

A survey of 650 Australian men has found that those with erectile problems have poorer esteem, a weaker sense of masculinity and lower personal satisfaction than others.

And those on Viagra, Cialis, Levitra and other drug treatments were no better off than those who were unmedicated, said lead researcher and psychologist Hayley Matic.

"This just goes to show that medications are not a magic pill to improve the sex lives of men," Dr Matic said.

The findings, to be published in the International Journal of Impotence Research, contradicts some drug studies which show medication can improve general wellbeing.

The research team surveyed 400 men with erectile dysfunction (ED), including half who had tried drug treatment, and another 250 men with normal sexual function.

They found that men with erection problems had a range of issues like significantly poorer self esteem, sense of masculinity, sexual satisfaction and relationship satisfaction.

And while oral medications, known as PDE5 inhibitors, generally restored sexual function, they didn't necessarily restore a man's sexual health.

"Overall, wellbeing was not improved in the men who had used medical interventions for their ED," Dr Matic said.

"In fact there was no difference in the reports, regardless of whether they were on drugs."

Previous randomised-controlled trials using medications have indicated drugs do improve general wellbeing.

But Dr Matic said those involved in these studies were often well schooled on how to use the drugs and what to expect from them.

"Our results show the real experience of men who just rock up to a GP and get these drugs without the broader aspects being addressed," she said.

A spokesman for Pfizer, which manufactures Viagra, did not comment on the findings directly but said the drug had "improved the sex lives of more than 30 million men worldwide".

Dr Matic said the topic of ED too often focused on the medical and biological elements while dismissing the psychological and emotional effects of the condition.

She called for GPs and specialists who treat sexual dysfunction to be clear about what the drug can achieve and consider non-medical treatment options.

The man's partner should also be involved in the assessment and treatment of the problem, Dr Matic said.

Source:  News