Dataset Information

Erectile Function and Sexual Satisfaction: The Importance of Asking About Sexual Desire.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Erectile function, libido, and sexual bother are incompletely correlated: a man may or may not be satisfied for a given level of erectile function; similarly, 2 men may have the same erectile function and different levels of sexual desire.

Aim

To explore the relationship between erectile function, sexual satisfaction and sexual desire.

Methods

We examined the Spearman correlation among erectile function (International Index of Erectile Function [IIEF-6]), sexual desire, and sexual bother in 3,944 questionnaires completed by patients after radical prostatectomy as part of routine care. IIEF-6 scores were adjusted if a patient indicated that the reason for not having intercourse was other than lack of ability of confidence (eg, lack of partner).

Main outcome measure

Patient-reported outcome instruments.

Results

Median age at surgery and preoperative IIEF-6 were 63 years and 26, respectively. Among questionnaires completed after surgery, there was moderate correlation among the IIEF-6 score and both sexual desire (Spearman rho: 0.41) and sexual bother (Spearman rho: 0.30). In men who reported high or moderate bother relating to sexual function, there was a narrow distribution of erectile function scores, with most men reporting poor function (median IIEF-6: 6, interquartile range 3, 11). For men who reported small or no problem with sexual function, the distribution of erectile function scores was wide, and particularly bimodal as a function of sexual desire. Among patients with high desire, the correlation between sexual bother and erectile function was 0.61 (ie, the poorer is your function, the greater you are bothered), whereas it was -0.081 among patients with low desire, meaning that some men are not bothered by poor erections.

Clinical implications

We provided useful insights to help physicians during sexual counselling after surgery for prostate cancer.

Strength & limitations

The study included a large number of patients and provides evidence for implementation of patient-reported outcome insturments. Limitations include the retrospective nature of our data.

Conclusion

Sexual desire helps explain the moderate correlation between erectile function and sexual bother. Sexual desire and bother questions should be incorporated in patient-reported outcome instruments for male sexual function. Bravi CA, Tin A, Montorsi F, et al. Erectile Function and Sexual Satisfaction: The Importance of Asking About Sexual Desire. J Sex Med 2020;17:349-352.

SUBMITTER: Bravi CA

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7641190 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Erectile Function and Sexual Satisfaction: The Importance of Asking About Sexual Desire.

Bravi Carlo Andrea CA Tin Amy A Montorsi Francesco F Mulhall John P JP Eastham James A JA Vickers Andrew J AJ

The journal of sexual medicine 20191115 2

<h4>Introduction</h4>Erectile function, libido, and sexual bother are incompletely correlated: a man may or may not be satisfied for a given level of erectile function; similarly, 2 men may have the same erectile function and different levels of sexual desire.<h4>Aim</h4>To explore the relationship between erectile function, sexual satisfaction and sexual desire.<h4>Methods</h4>We examined the Spearman correlation among erectile function (International Index of Erectile Function [IIEF-6]), sexua ...[more]

PMID: 31735617

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Dataset Information

Erectile Function and Sexual Satisfaction: The Importance of Asking About Sexual Desire.

Introduction

Aim

Methods

Main outcome measure

Results

Clinical implications

Strength & limitations

Conclusion

Publications

Erectile Function and Sexual Satisfaction: The Importance of Asking About Sexual Desire.

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