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Leeners B, Tschudin S, Wischmann T, Kalaitzopoulos DR. Sexual dysfunction and disorders as a consequence of infertility: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Hum Reprod Update 2023; 29:95-125. [PMID: 35900268 DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmac030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2021] [Revised: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sexuality has a key impact on quality of life and on reproductive health. Infertility often results in sexual dysfunction. Despite this close association, addressing sexuality is not a standard component of infertility counselling, especially since in most countries sexual medicine is not a core element of specialist training. Even today, many doctors and patients consider discussing sexuality to be more challenging than other aspects of reproductive medicine. The present review addresses the complex consequences of infertility on sexuality. OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE Our goals were: (i) to identify the prevalence of sexual problems resulting from infertility, (ii) to evaluate characteristics of sexual difficulties and disorders resulting from infertility and (iii) to analyse factors involved in the complex association between sexual problems and infertility. SEARCH METHODS A systematic search for publications containing keywords related to sexual disorders and infertility was performed via PubMed, Web of Science and Psyndex. A total of 170 manuscripts published between January 1966 and April 2021 were identified after verification of inclusion and exclusion criteria. The reference lists in these manuscripts were searched for further relevant literature. Studies were reviewed for quality-related methodological details. OUTCOMES Couples diagnosed with infertility have an increased risk of sexual disorders. Loss of sexual desire and erectile dysfunction are among the most frequent sexual disorders resulting from infertility. Currently available literature reflects only fragmentarily the complexity of the diverse interactions. Sexuality plays out against the backdrop of interactions among personal, cultural, infertility-related and sexuality-related factors. Considering this complexity, it is crucial to evaluate individual profiles as well as partnership interactions to avoid a negative impact of infertility on a couple's sexual life. WIDER IMPLICATIONS Identifying sexual disorders as relevant considerations in the context of infertility and exploring their impact during the entire course of diagnosis and treatment constitute an important contribution to comprehensively care for the couples concerned. Counselling should focus on preventing the onset and aggravation of sexual disorders. As sexuality represents a major component of quality of life and of partnership, such support may improve not only the current overall wellbeing but also the chances of a satisfactory long-term partnership and family life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brigitte Leeners
- Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Sibil Tschudin
- Division of Social Medicine and Psychosomatics, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Tewes Wischmann
- Institute for Medical Psychology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
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Koyama J, Yamashita S, Yamada S, Fujii S, Goto T, Katayama H, Satake Y, Sato T, Shimada S, Kawasaki Y, Kawamorita N, Mitsuzuka K, Arai Y, Ito A. Impact of cancer therapy on post-treatment ejaculation disorder and sexual life in testicular cancer survivors. Int J Urol 2020; 28:69-74. [PMID: 33131119 DOI: 10.1111/iju.14403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2020] [Accepted: 09/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the impact of cancer therapy on post-treatment ejaculation in patients with testicular cancer. METHODS A total of 74 testicular cancer survivors provided completed International Index of Erectile Function-15 questionnaires before and after treatment between 2010 and 2017. Sexual function, particularly ejaculatory function, was evaluated before and after treatment. In this study, patients who answered "1 = almost never/never" or "2 = a few times" for questionnaire number 9 (ejaculation frequency) were defined as having "ejaculation disorder." RESULTS Of 74 testicular cancer survivors, 50 (68%) had no ejaculation disorders before treatment. Four (44%) of nine survivors, who received chemotherapy and retroperitoneal lymph node dissection, developed ejaculation disorders after treatment. On multivariate analysis, retroperitoneal lymph node dissection was a significant predictor of post-treatment ejaculation disorder (P = 0.042). Of 60 survivors with evaluable ejaculation function after treatment, 24 (40%) did not attempt sexual intercourse, and multivariate analysis showed ejaculation disorder had a significant negative impact on having sexual intercourse (P = 0.035). Furthermore, the mean International Index of Erectile Function-15 scores in the groups with and without ejaculation disorders after treatment were 24.0 and 51.9, respectively (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION Ejaculation disorders occur at high rate after retroperitoneal lymph node dissection. Many testicular cancer survivors reporting no sexual intercourse have ejaculation disorders, suggesting an adverse impact on sexual life. Urologists should provide proper counselling regarding the risk of ejaculation disorder and its possible impact on sexual life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juntaro Koyama
- Department of Urology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Shinichi Yamashita
- Department of Urology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Shigeyuki Yamada
- Department of Urology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan.,Department of Urology, Tohoku Kosai Hospital, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Shinji Fujii
- Department of Urology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Takuro Goto
- Department of Urology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Hiromichi Katayama
- Department of Urology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Yohei Satake
- Department of Urology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Takuma Sato
- Department of Urology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Shuichi Shimada
- Department of Urology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Yoshihide Kawasaki
- Department of Urology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Naoki Kawamorita
- Department of Urology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Koji Mitsuzuka
- Department of Urology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Yoichi Arai
- Department of Urology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan.,Department of Urology, Miyagi Cancer Center, Natori, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Akihiro Ito
- Department of Urology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
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