title: Coital frequency and infertility: which male factors predict less frequent coitus among infertile couples?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the coital frequency among infertile couples and which factors are associated with less frequent coitus.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Tertiary-level male infertility clinic.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 1,298 infertile men.
  
  
  METHODS
  Administration of computer-based survey, semen analysis, and serum hormone evaluation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Monthly coital frequency.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 1,298 patients presented to clinic for infertility consultation and completed the computer-based survey. The median male age was 35 years (interquartile range [IQR] 32-39 years) and the median duration of infertility was 2 years (IQR 1-4 years) before consultation. Median monthly coital frequency was seven (IQR 5-10; range 0-40); 24% of couples were having intercourse ≤ 4 times per month. Overall, 0.6%, 2.7%, 4.8%, 5.8%, and 10.8% of the men reported having intercourse 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 times per month, respectively. When simultaneously taking into account the influence of age, libido, erectile function, and semen volume on coital frequency, older patients had 1.05 times higher odds (per year of age) of less frequent coitus (odds ratio 1.05, 95% confidence interval 1.03-1.08). In addition, patients with better erectile function had 1.12 times higher odds (per point on Sexual Health Inventory for Men scale) of more frequent coitus (odds ratio 1.12, 95% confidence interval 1.09-1.18).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Similar to the general population, most infertile couples report having coitus more than four times per month. Older male age and erectile dysfunction are independent risk factors for less frequent coitus among infertile men, which could have an impact on fertility. Coital frequency should be considered in infertility assessments.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Division of Urology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Nathan
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Perlis
authors.forename: Kirk C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Lo
authors.forename: Ethan D
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: Grober
authors.forename: Leia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Spencer
authors.forename: Keith
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Jarvi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003075:Coitus / Q000502:physiology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003625:Data Collection; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007246:Infertility / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D007989:Libido / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D055101:Semen Analysis / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000502:physiology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
keywords: Infertility; infertility assessment; intercourse