Psychological burden, sexual satisfaction and erectile function in men whose partners experience recurrent pregnancy loss in China: a cross-sectional study.
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to elucidate recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL)-associated psychosocial effects and sexual functions of Chinese men whose partners experience a history of RPL.


METHODS
Questionnaire data from a total of 236 men whose partners experience RPL(RPL group) and another 236 non-RPL male volunteers(control group) were analyzed. The self-administered questionnaires included anxiety and depression measures (SAS & SDS), the Index of Sexual Satisfaction (ISS) and the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) for evaluating psychological burden, sexual satisfaction and erectile function, respectively.


RESULTS
The mean age of the RPL group and control group was 29.8 ± 8.6 and 28.2 ± 7.3, respectively. The incidence of erectile dysfunction was significantly higher in the RPL group than in the control group (19.07 % vs. 7.63 %, P < 0.001). Anxiety and depression were also more prevalent in RPL group than in the control group (anxiety: 36.90 % vs. 19.08 %, P < 0.001; depression: 26.30 % vs. 7.63 %, P < 0.001). Furthermore, after adjusting for age in the RPL group, negative relationships were observed between the IIEF-5 score and anxiety and depression (P < 0.001), and a positive correlation was found between the ISS and anxiety and depression (P < 0.001). In addition, history of RPL, anxiety and depressive symptoms were significantly associated with a higher risk of ED.


CONCLUSIONS
Psychological functioning, sexual satisfaction and erectile function are impaired in infertile men with RPL partners. These men should be targeted for psychological consultation.
Urology, The Second Clinical Medical College of Jinan University, Shenzhen People's Hospital, Shenzhen, 518020, China.
Yi-Xiang
YX
Zhang
Urology, The Second Clinical Medical College of Jinan University, Shenzhen People's Hospital, Shenzhen, 518020, China.
Xue-Qi
XQ
Zhang
Urology, The Second Clinical Medical College of Jinan University, Shenzhen People's Hospital, Shenzhen, 518020, China.
Qing-Rong
QR
Wang
Urology, The Second Clinical Medical College of Jinan University, Shenzhen People's Hospital, Shenzhen, 518020, China.
Ye-Qing
YQ
Yuan
Urology, The Second Clinical Medical College of Jinan University, Shenzhen People's Hospital, Shenzhen, 518020, China.
Jiang-Gen
JG
Yang
Urology, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, 100044, China.
Xiao-Wei
XW
Zhang
Urology, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, 100044, China. liqingpku2013@gmail.com.
Qing
Q
Li
D000026:Abortion, Habitual / Q000523:psychology*; D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000453:epidemiology; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008571:Men / Q000523:psychology*; D009948:Orgasm
Erectile function; Psychological burden; Recurrent pregnancy loss; Sexual satisfaction