Male and female sexual function and activity following ileal conduit urinary diversion.
A group of 66 patients (40 males, 26 females) underwent an ileal conduit urinary diversion because of bladder cancer (44 patients) or incontinence/bladder dysfunction (22). They were questioned about pre- and post-operative sexual function and activity and it was found that 90% of the males (26/29) who were sexually active before surgery lost the ability to achieve erection following radical cystectomy. Although they were unable to achieve penile erection, 41% were able to experience orgasm by means of masturbation. Five of the 29 males received penile implants. Five of the 6 females treated by cystectomy, who were sexually active before the operation, reported either a decrease or cessation of sexual activity (i.e. coitus) post-operatively. The main problems were a decrease in sexual desire, dyspareunia and vaginal dryness. One women reported the inability to experience orgasm after surgery. Compared with women with bladder cancer, those with incontinence/bladder dysfunction were more likely to have an active sexual life after urostomy surgery. Seven females in this group, of whom 4 were sexually inactive before surgery, increased their sexual activity after the operation. For these women the conduit operation removed the need to use incontinence pads or indwelling catheters.
Nordström
G M
GM
Department of Urology, Södersjukhuset, Stockholm, Sweden.
Nyman
C R
CR
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003075:Coitus / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007082:Ileum / Q000637:transplantation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010410:Penile Erection; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D014547:Urinary Diversion / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000523:psychology; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000601:surgery