The prevalence and nature of orgasmic dysfunction after radical prostatectomy.
OBJECTIVE
To define the type of orgasmic dysfunction in men after radical prostatectomy (RP), as absence of orgasm and orgasmic pain are recognized complaints, and changes in orgasm may lead to significant sexual dissatisfaction.


METHODS
Using an unvalidated questionnaire, demographic, erectile function and orgasmic function questions were answered by 239 patients who had previously undergone a retropubic RP.


RESULTS
Of the 239 patients, 22% had no change in orgasm intensity, 37% reported a complete absence of orgasm, 37% had decreased orgasm intensity and 4% reported a more intense orgasm after RP than before. Pain during orgasm (dysorgasmia) occurred in 14% of the patients; in these respondents the pain reportedly occurred always (with every orgasm) in 33%, frequently in 13%, occasionally in 35%, and rarely in 19%. Most patients (55%) had orgasm-associated pain for <1 min.


CONCLUSIONS
These results indicate that orgasmic functional changes are relatively common after RP and are worth considering by clinicians and researchers.
Department of Urology, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, USA.
Jennifer L
JL
Barnas
Steven
S
Pierpaoli
Patricia
P
Ladd
Rolando
R
Valenzuela
Nadid
N
Aviv
Marilyn
M
Parker
W Bedford
WB
Waters
Robert C
RC
Flanigan
John P
JP
Mulhall
D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009948:Orgasm / Q000502:physiology*; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000209:etiology; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology*; D011468:Prostatectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000209:etiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires