title: Does inguinal hernia repair have an effect on sexual functions?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study is to evaluate sexual functions which are affected by inguinal hernias and may change after hernia repair surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 47 patients who underwent Lichtenstein tension-free anterior repair and inguinal hernia surgery were evaluated in terms of erectile function, intercourse function, sexual desire, overall satisfaction and orgasm satisfaction using the International Index of Erectile function questionnaire (IIEF) scoring system before surgery and in the first and sixth months after surgery. Parameters evaluated with the IIEF score before the surgery and in the first and sixth months after surgery were compared statistically using the Wilcoxon test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The average age of patients was 46.2 ±11.2 years (range: 22-67). It was determined that all scores, apart from sexual desire (p = 0.08), significantly increased in the postoperative first and sixth months compared to the preoperative period. It was measured that the preoperative sexual desire score increased significantly in the postoperative sixth month (p <0.001). A significant score was also detected when all scores in the postoperative sixth month were compared to the postoperative first month.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Inguinal hernia surgery positively affects sexual functions compared to the preoperative period. The improvement in sexual parameters in addition to the benefits of hernia removal and presence of no significant postoperative complications indicates that this surgery is useful and safe.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Meram Medical Faculty, Necmettin Erbakan University, Konya, Turkey.
authors.forename: Mehmet Giray
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Sönmez
authors.affiliation: Medical Park Hospital, Department of General Surgery, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Bilgehan Çağdaş
authors.initials: BÇ
authors.lastname: Sonbahar
authors.affiliation: Medical Park Hospital, Department of General Surgery, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Gül
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bora
authors.affiliation: Medical Park Hospital, Department of General Surgery, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Necdet
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Özalp
authors.affiliation: Medical Park Hospital, Department of Urology, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Cengiz
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kara
keywords: Lichtenstein technique; inguinal hernia; sexual functions