This study aimed to explore whether infertility duration has an impact on the sexual function and mental health of men from infertile couples.
We conducted a case-control study of 558 men from infertile couples, and the participants were divided into four groups based on their infertility duration: group I: ≤ 2 years; group II: 2-5 years; group III: 5-8 years; and group IV: > 8 years. Sexual function and mental disorders were measured using the International Index of Erectile Function-15 (IIEF-15), Premature Ejaculation Diagnostic Tool (PEDT), Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale (GAD-7), and Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) separately.
As the years of infertility duration increase, the total IIEF-15 score and four domains (sexual desire, orgasmic function, erectile function, and intercourse satisfaction) significantly decrease (p < 0.05). The PEDT score gradually increases significantly (p < 0.05). Increased infertility duration is an independent risk factor for erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation (p < 0.05). However, increased infertility duration is not a risk factor for depression and anxiety (p > 0.05).
Our study is the first time to use the infertility duration as an independent variable and group this variable to analyze its impact on the sexual function and mental health of men from infertile couples comprehensively and systematically. The increased infertility duration is an independent risk factor for the occurrence of sexual dysfunction but not for mental disorders. In the process of infertility treatment, sexual health and mental health cannot be ignored, especially for patients with prolonged infertility.
Journal of assisted reproduction and genetics. 2022 Jul 15 [Epub ahead of print]
Meng Dong, Shanshan Wu, Xue Zhang, Na Zhao, Yanqiang Tao, Jichun Tan
Center of Reproductive Medicine, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, No.39 Huaxiang Road, Tiexi District, Shenyang, 110072, Liaoning Province, China., School of Life Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110122, China., Faculty of Psychology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Applied Experimental Psychology, Beijing Normal University, No. 19 Xinjiekou Wai Street, Haidian District, Beijing, 10085, China., Center of Reproductive Medicine, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, No.39 Huaxiang Road, Tiexi District, Shenyang, 110072, Liaoning Province, China. .