Sexual Satisfaction in Male Infertility

Abstract

Infertility is proposed to be a continuing stressor for couples suffering from involuntary childlessness. A long duration of the desire for a child and, correspondingly, a longer period of diagnostic and treatment procedures could have a negative impact on sexual satisfaction, thus leading to an unfavorable psychological circuit. The present evaluation should clarify the state of sexual satisfaction and relationships, with relevant parameters in 68 men with fertility problems, of couples with involuntary childlessness. Subjects reported relatively high average levels of present sexual satisfaction with only nonsignificant lower scores (p = .08) compared to recalled sexual satisfaction prior to diagnosis of infertility. Multiple regression analyses revealed that a positive age difference between men and their spouses (p = .042) and a higher weekly coitus frequency (p = .002) were the only significant parameters associated independently with higher sexual satisfaction. Neither the age of partners, attitudes toward sexuality, treatment duration, duration of the partnership and the duration of the desire for a child, nor andrological findings had an influence on present sexual satisfaction. The results propose that treatment duration and duration of the desire for a child may not necessarily be connected to lowered sexual satisfaction in infertile males and that coitus frequency seems to be an indicator of sexual satisfaction in this patient group.

Psychological and social aspects of infertility in men: an overview of the evidence and implications for psychologically informed clinical care and future research

“…Most studies focused on the sexual aspects and fewer focused on the emotional and communicative aspects of these relationships, and in general, comparisons on the basis of whether infertility was attributable to male or female factors were not described. 61 In Germany, 62 current and prediagnosis recollections of intercourse frequency and sexual satisfaction were assessed in 68 consecutively recruited men with male factor infertility. Frequency of intercourse was lower among those with relationships (and awareness of infertility) of longer duration, but overall, there were high levels of current sexual satisfaction and no differences between those with longer or shorter interval since diagnosis.…”

The psychological challenge of genital injury

“…The results of the sperm salvage/harvest are highly variable, ranging from being independently fertile and able to conceive via intercourse to unsuccessful sperm salvage and unable to biologically father children. Infertility is proposed to be a significant stressor impacting upon intimate relationships,40 can be perceived as stigmatising and creates a tendency to suppress emotions 41. During consultation the patient, potentially with partner, is provided with information regarding alternative future parenting possibilities and the opportunity to ask questions.…”

The impact of infertility on sexuality: A literature review

“…However, other studies had contrary results which suggested infertility and its treatment did not have a negative influence on sexual relationship and satisfaction because the shared stress of infertility could make both couples more involved jointly with the same problem. [45][46][47][48] (…”