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Satisfaction with sex and erection hardness: results of the Asia-Pacific Sexual Health and Overall Wellness survey

International Journal of Impotence Research volume 23, pages 135–141 (2011)Cite this article

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Abstract

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.

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Acknowledgements

This study was funded by Pfizer Inc. Editorial assistance was provided by Tiffany Brake, PhD, at Complete Healthcare Communications and was funded by Pfizer Inc, New York, NY, USA. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: None.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Sydney Centre for Sexual and Relationship Therapy, Sydney, NSW, Australia

    R King

  2. Department of Urology, Tokyo Dental College, Ichikawa General Hospital, Chiba, Japan

    K Marumo

  3. Department of Urology, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea

    J-S Paick

  4. Department of Urology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China

    K Zhang

  5. Lilavati Hospital and Research Center, Mumbai, India

    R Shah

  6. Department of Andrology and Sexology, Udayana University, Bali, Indonesia

    W Pangkahila

  7. Department of Surgery, Kwong Wah Hospital, Kowloon, Hong Kong

    A W-C Yip

  8. Department of Surgery, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan

    B-P Jiann

  9. Pfizer Inc, New York, NY, USA

    M-L Ong

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  1. R King
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Correspondence to B-P Jiann.

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Competing interests

Dr King has acted as a consultant, researcher and speaker for Pfizer Inc. Dr Shah has received consultancy fees from Pfizer Inc. Drs Marumo, Paick, Zhang, Pangkahila, Yip, Jiann have no conflicts to report. Dr Ong is an employee of Pfizer Inc.

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Supplementary Information accompanies the paper on International Journal of Impotence Research website

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King, R., Marumo, K., Paick, JS. et al. Satisfaction with sex and erection hardness: results of the Asia-Pacific Sexual Health and Overall Wellness survey. Int J Impot Res 23, 135–141 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1038/ijir.2011.17

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/ijir.2011.17

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