The Impact of Lower Urinary Tract Symptom on Sexual Function

Park, Jung Rae; Park, Choal Hee; Kim, Chun Il

Abstract

PURPOSE
It is well recognized that the incidence of sexual dysfunction in men increases with age. But the impact of lower urinary tract symptom (LUTS) on sexual dysfunction had not been widely studied. We aimed to ascertain the degree of correlation among sexual dysfunction, LUTS and age.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Between September 1998 and May 1999, 350 healthy Korean men over 50 years old living in Taegu and Kyungpook province were enrolled in the study. All of them completed IIEF (International Index of Erectile Function) 5-item questionnaire, International Prostatic Symptom Score(IPSS), digital rectal examination (DRE) and uroflowmetry. The IIEF, 5-item questionnaire consisted of erectile function (EF), sexual intercourse satisfaction (IS), orgasmic function (OF), sexual desire (SD) and overall satisfaction (OS). Each item was stratified into severe, moderate, mild and no dysfunction. Total men were stratified by IPSS, volume of prostate and maximal flow rate.
RESULTS
The prevalence of sexual dysfunction was increased with age. The erectile function was decreased in men with severe symptoms (IPSS >20) in comparison to those without symptoms (IPSS <8). The erectile function and sexual intercourse satisfaction were decreased in men with large prostate (volume of prostate > 50gm) in comparison to those with normal prostate (volume of prostate < 21gm). The maximal flow rate was not correlated with sexual dysfunction.
CONCLUSIONS
There was a significant number of patients with LUTS who have sexual dysfunction. A trend of increasing sexual dysfunction with increasing after urinary symptom severity and volume of prostate was fond. It is valuable to compare the sexual function after treatment of LUTS with it before treatment.