Sexual dysfunction in men undergoing infertility evaluation: a cohort observational study.
OBJECTIVE
To study psychosexual problems in men undergoing infertility evaluation.


METHODS
A cohort observational study.


METHODS
Male infertility diagnostic center.


METHODS
Four hundred twelve men undergoing infertility evaluation between 1999 and 2001.


METHODS
Baseline and follow-up data on sexual functions. Semen analysis for samples collected by masturbation. A second analysis was requested in 2 weeks upon finding an abnormality of semen parameters. Penile vibratory stimulation to help men who failed to collect semen on their second or subsequent appointments.


METHODS
Sexual functions (erection and orgasm) during the time of infertility evaluation.


RESULTS
Seven of 412 men were excluded from the analysis due to a past history of sexual dysfunction. Of the remaining 405 men, 46 (11%) failed to collect semen by masturbation for a second semen analysis after repeated (2-4 times) attempts at 2- to 3-day intervals. Nine of these men (20%) were able to collect semen using vibratory stimulation. All 46 men experienced problems with erection or orgasm and had severe anxiety during attempts to masturbate and during sexual contact with their partners.


CONCLUSIONS
Our study indicates that some men may experience sexual dysfunction of a psychogenic nature in response to the diagnosis of infertility.
Center for Advanced Research in Human Reproduction, Infertility, and Sexual Function, Urological Institute, The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio 44195, USA.
Ramadan A
RA
Saleh
Geetha M
GM
Ranga
Rupesh
R
Raina
David R
DR
Nelson
Ashok
A
Agarwal
D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D009948:Orgasm / Q000502:physiology; D010410:Penile Erection / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology; D012661:Semen / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D020018:Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D013076:Sperm Count; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000502:physiology; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000502:physiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires