Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The impact of a diagnosis of couple subfertility on male sexual function

  • Rapid Communication
  • Published:
Journal of Endocrinological Investigation Aims and scope Submit manuscript

    We’re sorry, something doesn't seem to be working properly.

    Please try refreshing the page. If that doesn't work, please contact support so we can address the problem.

Abstract

Aim: The aim was to study: a) the prevalence of sexual dysfunction in male partners of subfertile couples; b) the possible correlation between sexual dysfunction and seminal profile. Subjects and methods: Male partners (no.=171) of sub-fertile couples were studied, aged between 25 and 40 yr, attending the Andrology Unit of Sant’Andrea Hospital. All the subjects responded to a modified International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) questionnaire, made up of 5 questions: 2 regarding erectile function, 1 concerning orgasmic function, 1 question on sexual desire, and 1 on satisfaction with intercourse. The questionnaire investigated both spontaneous sex for pleasure and sex intended to lead to pregnancy. The subjects underwent standard semen analysis, according to World Health Organization guidelines. Results: The data showed a disorder in sexual intercourse for reproductive purposes in 37 subjects (23.7%). Of these, only 14 (8.9%) also had problems with sex for pleasure. On the other hand, there was no significant variation in the prevalence of sexual dysfunction related to seminal profile. Conclusions: A diagnosis of subfertility represents a stressful situation which can reduce the pleasure of sex, especially in intercourse intended for reproductive purposes; this disorder in sexual activity does not seem to be directly correlated with awareness of the severity of the semen alterations.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Saleh RA, Ranga GM, Raina R, Nelson DR, Agarwal A. Sexual dysfunction in men undergoing infertility evaluation: a cohort observational study. Fertil Steril 2003, 79: 909–12.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Shindel AW, Nelson CJ, Naughton CK, Mulhall JP. Premature ejaculation in infertile couples: prevalence and correlates. J Sex Med 2008, 5: 485–91.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Khademi A, Alleyassin A, Amini M, Ghaemi M. Evaluation of sexual dysfunction prevalence in infertile couples. J Sex Med 2008, 5: 1402–10.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Shindel AW, Nelson CJ, Naughton CK, Ohebshalom M, Mulhall JP. Sexual function and quality of life in the male partner of infertile couples: prevalence and correlates of dysfunction. J Urol 2008, 179: 1056–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Jain K, Radhakrishnan G, Agrawal P. Infertility and psychosexual disorders: relationship in infertile couples. Indian J Med Sci 2000, 54: 1–7.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Monga M, Alexandrescu B, Katz SE, Stein M, Ganiats T. Impact of infertility on quality of life, marital adjustment, and sexual function. Urology 2004, 63: 126–30.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Muller MJ, Schilling G, Haidl G. Sexual satisfaction in male infertility. Arch Androl 1999, 42: 137–43.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Repokari L, Punamäki RL, Unkila-Kallio L, et al. Infertility treatment and marital relationship: a 1-year prospective study among successfully treated ART couples and their controls. Hum Reprod 2007, 22: 1481–91.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. World Health Organization. Laboratory manual for the examination of human semen and sperm cervical mucus interaction, 4th ed. New York: Cambridge University Press, 1999.

  10. Mazzilli F, Rossi T, Sabatini L, Dondero F. Superimposed Image Analysis System (SIAS) software: a new approach to sperm motility assessment. Fert Steril 1995, 64: 653–6.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Mazzilli F, Rossi T, Delfino M, Nofroni I. Application of the upgraded image superimposition system (SIAS) to the assessment of sperm kinematics. Andrologia 1999, 31: 187–94.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Jannini EA, Lombardo F, Salacone P, Gandini L, Lenzi A. Treatment of sexual dysfunctions secondary to male infertility with sildenafil citrate. Fertil Steril 2004, 81: 705–7.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medical Physiopathology, University of Rome “Sapienza”, Rome, Italy

    J. Elia, M. Delfino, N. Imbrogno & F. Mazzilli MD

Authors
  1. J. Elia
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. M. Delfino
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. N. Imbrogno
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. F. Mazzilli MD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to F. Mazzilli MD.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Elia, J., Delfino, M., Imbrogno, N. et al. The impact of a diagnosis of couple subfertility on male sexual function. J Endocrinol Invest 33, 74–76 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03346556

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03346556

Keywords

Search

Navigation