SEXUAL BEHAVIOR IN THE JAPANESE MALES REPORT 4

SEXUAL DYSFUNCTION FOLLOWING SIMPLE PROSTAIECTOMY

Abstract

Sexual dysfunction following perineal exposure and removal of the prostate gland is a common occurrence and well documented in urologic literature. The incidence of impaired potency following forms of prostatectomy, especially retropubic resection, however, has received less attention, thereby providing the basis of investigation for this publication. The case materials for this study were patients treated at the Tohoku University Hospital during the period from January, 1962, to March, 1969.
Excluded from the study were patirents with prostatic cancer and those over 65 years of age. All data for the study were gathered in a form of questionnaire. In each history, such items as sexual desire, morning erections, frequencies and potency in coitus, condition of ejaculation and orgasm were explored. A total of 72 individuals answered the questionnaire.
The operative technic was retropubic prostatectomy. Eighteen patients (25.0 per cent) complained a decrease in sexual desire following prostatectomy.
Twenty three patients (31.9 per cent) reported a reduction in activity of erection during intercourse. Of these 23 patients, 14 had diminished potency and the remaining 9 were totally impotent.
The mean frequency of intercourse was 2.58 per month before operation. Following prostatectomy, it diminished to 1.99 per month.
Fourty-one point seven per cent of the patients (30 individuals) had no ejaculation following operation.
Disturbance in orgasm was found in 37 individuals (51.4 per cent) following prostatectomy.