title: Evaluation of sexual function in young men with spina bifida and myelomeningocele using the International Index of Erectile Function.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess sexual function in young men with spina bifida and myelomeningocele.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between November 2003 and February 2004, a cross-sectional study was performed in 55 men older than 18 years of age who had been regularly followed up for myelomeningocele since childhood, between 1961 and 1985, in the Pediatric Internal Surgery Department. The International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) questionnaire was mailed to each man.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The response rate was 72.7%. Of the 40 men who replied, 16 (40%) had had sexual intercourse at least once during the previous month. These were the older men (age 31.9 +/- 5.7 years versus 27.7 +/- 5.5 years, P = 0.027). The IIEF scores for the whole group were erectile function 11.61 +/- 9.44, orgasmic function 3.53 +/- 3.86, sexual desire 6.94 +/- 2.4, intercourse satisfaction 3.7 +/- 4.81, and overall satisfaction 4.7 +/- 3.34. According to the classification of Cappelleri, of the 16 men who had had sexual intercourse during the previous month, 4 had no erectile dysfunction, 3 had mild, 4 mild to moderate, and 5 severe dysfunction. Erectile function was statistically related to the ability to maintain erections (mean IIEF score 4 and 5 for men with no erectile dysfunction versus a mean IIEF score of 4 and 5 for men with erectile dysfunction: 4.75 +/- 0.5 versus 2.00 +/- 1.32, P = 0.011 for IIEF score of 4 and 4.50 +/- 1.5 versus 3 +/- 2, P = 0.040 for IIEF score of 5).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Young adult men with spina bifida and myelomeningocele begin sexual activity late. Moreover, 75% have erectile dysfunction that is related to difficulty in maintaining erections.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Andrology and Renal Transplantation, Rangueil University Hospital, Toulouse, France. xaviergame@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Xavier
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Gamé
authors.forename: Jacques
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Moscovici
authors.forename: Laurence
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gamé
authors.forename: Jean-Pierre
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Sarramon
authors.forename: Pascal
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rischmann
authors.forename: Bernard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Malavaud
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003075:Coitus; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008591:Meningomyelocele / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D010410:Penile Erection; D016135:Spinal Dysraphism / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires