www.upi.com/ConsumerHealthDaily/view.php?StoryID=20060301-013311-9965r

A U.S. study finds that treating erectile dysfunction restores self-esteem and relieves depression and anxiety.

The study was conducted by Dr. Joseph C. Cappelleri, a scientist working for Pfizer Inc., the manufacturer of Viagra, and colleagues. They administered the Self-Esteem and Relationship Questionnaire to a group of 93 men with erectile dysfunction before and after treatment with sildenafil, the drug marketed as Viagra, and to a control group of 94 men without sexual problems.

The researchers found that men who had trouble maintaining a relationship had significant problems with self-esteem, anxiety and depression. After 10 weeks in which they took medication as needed, they were indistinguishable from the control group.

Dr. Irwin Goldstein, editor in chief of the Journal of Sexual Medicine, which published the study, said the research shows that Viagra and other treatments for erectile dysfunction are "life-quality drugs," not just "lifestyle drugs."

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