AIMTo investigate how erectile dysfunction (ED) medications affect morning erection in patients with ED and how they respond to the return of morning erection.

METHODSThis study was conducted in 120 patients who experienced successful intercourse with either tadalafil or sildenafil. Using a random face-to-face interview and a questionnaire (about the quality and number of days getting morning erection after using the two medications), the impact of the medications on the morning erections was investigated, and the participants were asked about their feelings on regaining morning erection.

RESULTSOf the respondents, 81% (68% of those with sildenafil and 99% of those with tadalafil) experienced morning erections after taking an oral ED medication. The men who took tadalafil mainly for 2 days with one dose, while those who took sildenafil experienced morning erections mainly for 1 day. The major sentiment upon regaining a morning erection was, "having more confidence as a man"(74%). Among the 96 respondents who experienced morning erections with tadalafil, 52% preferred tadalafil over sildenafil, not only because of freedom from concerns about a specific time to have relations, but also regaining morning erection.

CONCLUSIONRegaining a morning erection affects the recovery of confidence as a man and influences the preference for tadalafil over sildenafil.