To find out more information on how treating impotence with vardenafil in comparison to placebo affects the quality of life (QoL) of men and their partners. Subjects will receive 10mg vardenafil or placebo for 4 weeks followed by an 8 week period when the dose of vardenafil may be reduced to 5mg or increased to 20mg. Subjects will then receive their 'preferred' dose for 14 weeks. During this time Quality of Life Measures will be collected via questionnaires

Inclusion Criteria:

• Males with erectile dysfunction for more than six months according to the NIH Consensus Statement (the inability to achieve or maintain penile erection sufficient for satisfactory sexual performance)

  • Stable, heterosexual relationship for more than six months
  • Documented written Informed Consent, from both the patient and his partner, after receiving adequate previous information and prior to any study specific procedures.

• An ED-EQoL score < or = 15.- An IIEF score < or = 25.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Presence of penile anatomical abnormalities (eg. penile fibrosis or Peyronie's disease) that would significantly impair erectile function.
• History of radical prostatectomy. - Retinitis pigmentosa.
• History of positive test for Hepatitis B surface antigen (HbsAg) or Hepatitis C.- Unstable angina pectoris.
• History of myocardial infarction, stroke, electrocardiographic ischaemia (except stable angina), or life-threatening arrhythmia within the prior 6 months.
• Atrial tachyarrhythmia (eg. atrial fibrillation/flutter) with a heart rate of >100 beats per minute at screening.
• Child-Pugh class B liver disease or liver function abnormalities.
• Clinically significant chronic haematological disease or bleeding disorder
• History of significant peptic ulcer disease within one year before Visit 1
• Resting hypotension (a resting systolic blood pressure of <90 mm Hg) or hypertension (a resting systolic blood pressure >170 mm Hg or a resting diastolic blood pressure >110 mm Hg).
• Symptomatic postural hypotension within the six months of Visit 1.
• Uncontrolled diabetes mellitus (haemoglobin A1c > 12%).
• Patients who are taking nitrates or nitric oxide donors (e.g. molsidomine).
• Patients who are taking anticoagulants, with the exception of anti-platelet agents.
• Patients who are taking androgens (e.g. testosterone), trazodone or anti-androgens.
• Patients who are taking the following inhibitors of cytochrome P 450 CYP 3A4: potent HIV protease inhibitors (ritonavir, indinavir), the anti-mycotic agents itraconazole and ketoconazole (topical forms are allowed) or erythromycin.