¹Glickman Urological Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH, USA

Correspondence: Dr C Zippe, Glickman Urological Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Desk A100, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA. E-mail: zippec@ccf.org

Received 22 February 2005; Revised 15 April 2005; Accepted 12 May 2005; Published online 23 June 2005.

Abstract

Pelvic surgeries are among the most common causes of organic sexual dysfunction in men and women. The impact of nerve-sparing surgery on potency has been well documented in radical prostatectomy. However, its impact on potency needs to be evaluated in other pelvic surgeries. Sexual dysfunction is highly prevalent even after multiple technical advances in the field of oncological surgeries. The prevalence varies from 8 to 82%, depending on the type of pelvic surgery. In females, sexual dysfunction has not been evaluated adequately using validated questionnaires. However, in subspecialized circles, treatment for female sexual dysfunction is becoming routine. Currently, physicians have several options for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED) in men. Since the introduction of oral PDE-5 inhibitors, oral therapy has become the first-line treatment option for ED, irrespective of etiology. Currently available treatment options for the female sexual dysfunction include estrogens, androgens, phosphodiesterase inhibitors, and dopamine receptor antagonists. Initial reports regarding the role of early rehabilitation are encouraging and may become the part of routine practice in the management of ED after pelvic surgery. In this article, we summarize the sexual dysfunction following pelvic surgeries and their management.