The Association between Sexual Function, Pain, and Psychological Adaptation of Men Diagnosed with Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome Type III

Abstract

Introduction Prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS) is known to have a negative impact on quality of life, especially on intimate relationships and sexual function. Information is, however, missing on the contribution of demographic and psychological variables to sexual variables. Aim We compared the sexual function of men with CPPS to men without pain, and examined the relationship between the sexual, demographic, and psychological measures in men with CPPS. Main Outcome Measures Self-report questionnaires assessing demographic, pain, sexual function, and psychological adaptation. Methods The sample consisted of 72 men diagnosed with CPPS and 98 men without any pain condition. Self-report questionnaires measuring demographic, pain, and sexual function were completed once at the eligibility visit by all subjects. CPPS subjects completed additional questionnaires related to pain and psychological adaptation. Results CPPS subjects differed from controls by reporting significantly less frequent sexual desire or thoughts, less frequent sexual activities, less arousal/erectile function, less orgasm function, and higher frequencies of genital pain during/after intercourse. When we adjusted for age and marital status, the difference between groups remained for thoughts/desire, frequency of sexual activity, and arousal/erectile function. Analysis of factors related to sexual function in CPPS subjects included pain status and psychological adaptation. Results showed that frequency of sexual activity decreased with increasing depression, whereas arousal/erectile function decreased with increasing pain symptoms and stress appraisal. Orgasm function decreased with increasing depression and pleasure/satisfaction decreased with increasing pain symptoms, stress appraisal, and decreasing belief of a relationship between emotions and pain. Conclusions We found a differential sexual profile for men with CPPS when compared to men without pain. The results suggest that interventions addressing psychological factors affecting sexual responses should be further studied in prospective clinical trials as one possible way to improve sexual function and satisfaction in men with CPPS.

Evaluation of Sexual Function in Men with Orchialgia

“…For example, Anderson, Wise, Sawyer, and Chan (2006) reported that sexual dysfunction, especially in decreasing libido, ejaculatory pain, erectile and ejaculatory dysfunction, was common in men with chronic pelvic pain. Aubin et al (2008) stated that CSP subjects differed from controls by reporting significantly less frequent sexual desire or thoughts, less frequent sexual activities, lower arousal/erectile function, lower orgasmic function, and higher frequencies of genital pain during/after intercourse. In contrast to the study by Aubin et al and Anderson et al, we found no significant difference in values of IIEF scores related to erectile function between the patient and control group.…”

“…This condition has a negative impact on the quality of life, especially on intimate relationships and sexual function (Aubin, Berger, Herman, & Ciol, 2008). Despite the clinical importance of the issue, evidencebased literature and clinical practice guidelines on management of CSP are very limited (Nickel, Siemens, Nickel, & Downey, 2002).…”

The effectiveness of sildenafil citrate in patients with erectile dysfunction and lower urinary system symptoms and the significance of asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis

“…Besides, emotional discomfort due to pain and voiding dysfunction also negatively affects the sexual functions. 8,20,21 Prostatic inflammation is a common feature of the adult prostate and is associated with the development and progression of BPH. Asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis is observed in high amounts in the pathological examination of prostate biopsies or prostate tissues taken after prostatic surgery.…”

Chronic pain in urological diseases: a clinical review

“…Recent studies [22][23][24] have shown that men with CP report less sexual pleasure and satisfaction. Sexual functioning as a predictor of poor quality of life and disability must be explored in future studies.…”