Assessment of sexual dysfunction before and after surgery for lumbar disc herniation

Abstract

Object Sexuality is an important aspect of human life. Sexual activity may be affected in lumbar disc herniation through different mechanisms. The aim of this study is to evaluate patients' sexual problems and sexual behavior patterns before and after surgical treatment of lumbar disc herniation. Methods Forty-three patients were included in the study (mean age 41.4 years). A visual analog scale, the Oswestry Disability Index, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and a sexuality assessment questionnaire developed for this study were administered to the patients to evaluate pain and sexual dysfunction. Results Fifty-five percent of the men and 84% of the women reported experiencing sexual problems after the onset of low-back pain. The most common sexual problems were decreased sexual desire (18%) and premature ejaculation together with erectile dysfunction (18%) for the male patients, and decreased sexual desire (47%) for the female patients. The frequency of sexual intercourse before the operation was reduced in 78% of cases compared with the pain-free period. Postoperatively, the patients first attempted sexual intercourse a mean of 26.5 days after surgery. The frequency of intercourse was found to have increased (p = 0.01), while description of any type of sexual problem had decreased (p = 0.005) significantly. Conclusions Lumbar disc herniation has negative effects on sexual life, and not enough attention is given to the patients' sexual problems by the physicians. Decreased sexual desire and decreased sexual intercourse are the most commonly reported problems. Taking time during examination and giving simple recommendations may improve sexuality and life quality of the patients.

Functional outcomes in relation with the progression level in young degenerative disc disease patients

“…Pain and discomfort during sex life reported by patients presented statistically significant differences between the groups. Other authors [14][15][16][17] also observed that the more patients suffered in their sex life, the higher ODI and VAS scores they obtained, but according to these studies this dysfunction is caused by psychological disorders rather than physical impairment [18,19].…”

Sex Life and Impact of Operative Intervention on Sex Life-related Pain in Degenerative Spinal Conditions

“…Chronic back pain has been shown to have negative consequences on sexual function, which can contribute to a deterioration in quality of life. 1–4 Previous studies have evaluated sexual function in patients with chronic pain, cardiac disease, and rheumatic conditions, and hip arthritis, 2,5,6 and some have evaluated sexual function in patients undergoing spinal surgery. 1,7–9 These studies show that sexual function is generally improved postoperatively when compared to preoperative function.…”

“…1–4 Previous studies have evaluated sexual function in patients with chronic pain, cardiac disease, and rheumatic conditions, and hip arthritis, 2,5,6 and some have evaluated sexual function in patients undergoing spinal surgery. 1,7–9 These studies show that sexual function is generally improved postoperatively when compared to preoperative function. However, these studies were comprised of a small sample size, lacked a non-operative control group and focused on intervertebral disk herniation 1 , total disk replacement 7 , anterior spinal surgery 8 , and thoracolumbar fusion to the pelvis 9 .…”

Documenting female spine motion during coitus with a commentary on the implications for the low back pain patient

“…Furthermore, many health care practitioners are not inclined to discuss the sexual needs of their clients [10], despite the fact that their patients consider their sexuality to be an important domain that is never discussed in relation to their condition [6]. Many sexologists agree that concerns with regard to sexual activity should be addressed by the health care practitioner and advice on coital movement and position adjustments would lead to improvements in sexual activity [4][5][6].…”

“…The potential effect of low back pain (LBP) on sexual activity has been recognized and incorporated into one of the most commonly recommended condition-specific outcome measures for spinal disorders: the Oswestry disability index (ODI) [3]. The influence that sexual activity has on QoL, health, and disability has important implications for women who experience LBP; between 48 [4] and 73 [5] percent of women with LBP have reported a marked reduction in the frequency of their sexual activity.…”