title: Chronic pain has a negative impact on sexuality in testis cancer survivors.
abstract: Testis cancer is a disease that directly affects a man's sense of  masculinity and involves treatments compromising sexual function. The aim of  this study was to investigate the prevalence of sexual dysfunction and the  influence of chronic pain on sexuality in long-term testis cancer survivors.  Thus, we examined 539 patients after they had one testis removed because of a  testicular germ cell tumor. Having completed oncologic therapy, all patients  received a detailed questionnaire asking about the occurrence and clinical  presentation of testis pain before and after orchiectomy. In addition, items  from the abridged International Index of Erectile Function and Brief Sexual  Function Inventory were used to gain precise information on individual sexual  function. Overall, 34.5% of our testicular cancer survivors complained of  reduced sexual desire, and sexual activity was reduced in 41.6%. Erectile  dysfunction was present in up to 31.5% of patients. In 24.4%, the ability to  maintain an erection during intercourse was impaired. Ejaculatory disorders  (premature, delayed, retrograde, or anejaculation) occurred in 84.9% of our  testis cancer survivors. A total of 32.4% of our participants experienced a  reduced intensity of orgasm, and 95.4% experienced reduced overall sexual  satisfaction. There was a significant correlation between the occurrence of  chronic pain symptoms and the relative frequency and intensity of erectile  dysfunction, inability to maintain an erection, ejaculation disorders, and  reduced intensity of orgasm. In conclusion, chronic pain has a negative impact  on sexuality in testis cancer survivors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, University Hospital of Münster, Albert Schweitzer Strasse 33, D-48149 Münster, Germany. puehse@uni-muenster.de
authors.forename: Gerald
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pühse
authors.forename: Julia Urte
authors.initials: JU
authors.lastname: Wachsmuth
authors.forename: Sebastian
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kemper
authors.forename: Ingo W
authors.initials: IW
authors.lastname: Husstedt
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Evers
authors.forename: Sabine
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kliesch
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D059350:Chronic Pain / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D004542:Ejaculation; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009373:Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal / Q000601:surgery*; D009919:Orchiectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D009948:Orgasm; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D010410:Penile Erection; D061686:Premature Ejaculation / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D015995:Prevalence; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D020018:Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D019529:Sexuality; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology; D013736:Testicular Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult