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Sildenafil induced sexual aggression: coincidence, rarity, or under-reported side effect?

International Journal of Impotence Research volume 34, pages 323–324 (2022)Cite this article

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Sexual aggression refers to sexual activity, including petting, oral sex, anal, and vaginal intercourse, performed against a person’s will through the use of force, argument, alcohol, drugs, or authority [1]. Both men and women are victims of sexual aggression, even if husbands, fathers, or other male family members are most likely to commit sexual violence. The main causes of this abnormal behavior include prior child abuse, hostile masculinity, psycho-pathological personality traits, and alcohol or drug abuse [1].

Sildenafil is selective inhibitor of the phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5), an enzyme which acts on cyclic-GMP leading to relaxation of the corpus cavernosum and favoring penile erection. The drug is widely used in the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED) and in other sexual and medical disorders [2]. Common adverse events with sildenafil include headache, flushing, nasal congestion, dyspepsia, and visual disturbance. However, neurological, psychological and behavioral alterations, including aggressiveness, have been reported [3].

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. IRCCS Centro Neurolesi “Bonino-Pulejo”, Messina, Italy

    Rocco Salvatore Calabrò, Alfredo Manuli, Simona Portaro, Antonino Naro, Maria Grazia Maggio & Rosaria De Luca

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  1. Rocco Salvatore Calabrò
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  2. Alfredo Manuli
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  3. Simona Portaro
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  4. Antonino Naro
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  5. Maria Grazia Maggio
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  6. Rosaria De Luca
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Contributions

All authors, but RSC, equally contributed to the work: study design and drafting only by RSC.

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Correspondence to Rocco Salvatore Calabrò.

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Calabrò, R.S., Manuli, A., Portaro, S. et al. Sildenafil induced sexual aggression: coincidence, rarity, or under-reported side effect?. Int J Impot Res 34, 323–324 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41443-021-00410-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41443-021-00410-1

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