Female sexual dysfunction (FSD) is increasingly attracting more scientific and public interest, and represents a poorly investigated issue in patients with essential hypertension. We evaluated the prevalence of sexual dysfunction in hypertensive women compared with normotensive women according to age, hypertension severity, hypertension duration, and antihypertensive treatment. The study population consisted of consecutive, sexually active women attending an outpatient hypertension clinic. The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI questionnaire) was used to evaluate FSD. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to evaluate predictors of FSD. Four hundred and seventeen women were studied. From them, 216 women had arterial hypertension (136 treated, 80 untreated) and 201 were normotensive. Sexual dysfunction was found in 42.1% of hypertensive women compared with 19.4% of normotensive women (odds ratio, 3.2; 95% confidence interval, 1.9–4.7; P < 0.001). Systolic blood pressure levels were significantly related to FSFI score (r = −0.67, P < 0.001). Successful control of hypertension was related to lower prevalence of FSD. Increasing age (β = −0.187, P = 0.001), increasing systolic blood pressure (β = −0.687, P < 0.001), and β-blocker administration (β = −0.162, P = 0.001) were significant predictors of sexual dysfunction in this patient population. FSD is more prevalent in women with essential hypertension compared with women with normal blood pressure, and its prevalence declines with adequate blood pressure control. Adequate control of hypertension with medication not affecting sexual function can have a great impact on the quality of life of hypertensive patients. Physicians should recognize and properly manage FSD in hypertensive women.

Arterial hypertension is considered a risk factor for erectile dysfunction. The aim of the study was to evaluate the prevalence of erectile dysfunction in hypertensive compared with normotensive individuals of similar demographic characteristics in Greece. Furthermore, the effect of age, hypertension severity, hypertension duration, and antihypertension medication on erectile function of these subjects was investigated. The study population consisted of 634 consecutive young and middle‐aged men (31–65 years) that visited our outpatient clinic. From them, 358 patients had arterial hypertension and 276 were normotensive. Erectile dysfunction was evaluated with the International Index for Erectile Function questionnaire. Erectile dysfunction was found in 35.2% of patients with essential hypertension compared with 14.1% of normotensive subjects (χ² = 35.92, P < .001). Patients with essential hypertension had more severe erectile dysfunction than their normotensive counterparts (χ² = 17.1, P < .001). Hypertension duration, hypertension severity, antihypertension medication, and age were positively correlated with erectile dysfunction. The prevalence of erectile dysfunction is higher in patients with essential hypertension compared with normotensive subjects of similar demographic characteristics. Erectile dysfunction is related to age in both groups, whereas duration and severity of hypertension as well as antihypertension drugs affect erectile function of hypertensive patients. Erectile dysfunction affects patient quality of life, underlining the need for vigorous research of this condition and appropriate management.

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