OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the sexual function and stress level during timed intercourse (TI) of male partners of infertile couples.
PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included 236 male partners of couples with more than 1 year of infertility who sought medical care or an evaluation of couple infertility. Besides infertility evaluation, all participants were asked to complete the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) -5 for evaluation of sexual function and stresses related to infertility and timed intercourse were measured using ten-division VAS questionnaires.
RESULTS: Stress levels regarding sexual function were higher during fertile than infertile periods in109 of the 236 (46.2%) male partners, with 122 (51.7%) reporting no difference in stress during fertile and non-fertile periods. Mean VAS score of sexual relationship stress was significantly higher during fertile than non-fertile periods (3.4 ±2.6 vs. 2.1±2.2, p < 0.001). Of the 236 men, 21 (8.9%) reported more than mild to moderate ED (IIEF-5 score≤ 16) and 99 (42%) reported mild ED (IIEF-5 score 17-21).
CONCLUSION: This is the first report showing quantitatively that male partners of infertile couples experience significantly higher TI related stresses during fertile than during non-fertile period. Sexual dysfunction is also common in male partners of infertile couple. Medical personnel dealing with infertile couples should be aware of these potential problems in male partners and provide appropriate counseling.
Written by:
Song SH, Kim DS, Yoon TK, Hong JY, Shim SH. Are you the author?
Department of Urology, Fertility Center, CHA Gangnam Medical Center, CHA University, Seoul, Korea, 135-913; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fertility Center, CHA Gangnam Medical Center, CHA University, Seoul, Korea, 135-913; Department of Urology, CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University, Seongnam, Korea, 463-712; Department of Genetics, CHA University, Seoul, Korea, 135-913.
Reference: BJU Int. 2015 Jun 13. Epub ahead of print.
doi: 10.1111/bju.13201
PubMed Abstract
PMID: 26074135