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Erectile dysfunction and sexual health after radical prostatectomy: impact of sexual motivation

International Journal of Impotence Research volume 23, pages 81–86 (2011)Cite this article

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Abstract

The life expectancy of patients with localized prostate cancer at treatment initiation has increased, and post-treatment quality of life has become a key issue. The aim of this study is to assess the impact of Radical prostatectomy (RP) on patients’ sexual health and satisfaction according to sexual motivation using a self-administered questionnaire completed by two groups of RP patients, with high or lower levels of sexual motivation. A total of 63 consecutive patients were included (mean age, 63.9 years), of whom 74.6% were being treated for erectile dysfunction (ED). After RP, patients reported lower sexual desire (52.4%), reduced intercourse frequency (79.4%), anorgasmia (39.7%), less satisfying orgasm (38.1%), climacturia (25.4%), greater distress (68.3%) and/or lower partner satisfaction (56.5%). Among the most sexually motivated patients, 76.0% reported loss of masculine identity, 52% loss of self-esteem and 36.0% anxiety about performance. These rates were lower among less motivated patients (52.6, 28.9, and 18.4%, respectively). Mean overall satisfaction score was 4.8±2.9. The score was significantly lowered in motivated than less motivated patients (3.4 vs 5.8) (P=0.001). In conclusion, RP adversely affected erectile and orgasmic functions but also sexual desire, self-esteem and masculinity. The more motivated patients experienced greater distress and were less satisfied.

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Acknowledgements

We disclose the sources of any support for the work, received in the form of grants and/or equipment and drugs.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Urology and Andrology, Robert Debré Academic Hospital, Reims, France

    R Messaoudi, J Menard, T Ripert & F Staerman

  2. Clinical Research Unit, Robert Debré Academic Hospital, Reims, France

    H Parquet

Authors
  1. R Messaoudi
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  2. J Menard
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  3. T Ripert
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  4. H Parquet
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  5. F Staerman
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Correspondence to R Messaoudi.

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Supplementary Information accompanies the paper on International Journal of Impotence Research website

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Messaoudi, R., Menard, J., Ripert, T. et al. Erectile dysfunction and sexual health after radical prostatectomy: impact of sexual motivation. Int J Impot Res 23, 81–86 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1038/ijir.2011.8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/ijir.2011.8

Keywords

  • radical prostatectomy
  • sexuality
  • erectile dysfunction
  • satisfaction
  • questionnaire
  • psychological impact

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