ASSESSMENT OF PSYCHOSEXUAL ADJUSTMENT AFTER INSERTION OF INFLATABLE PENILE PROSTHESIS

Objectives. To evaluate the psychosexual benefit obtained from multico mponent penile implant surgery in patients with erectile dysfunction. Methods. A psychosexual questionnaire was given to 35 patients undergo ing penile prosthesis implantation before surgery and at 3 months, 6 m onths, and 1 year after surgery. The questionnaire consisted of 13 que stions scored on a scale from 1 through 5. Results of the questionnair e were statistically analyzed for differences among the preoperative, 3-month postoperative, 6-month postoperative, and 1-year postoperative period. Results. The general linear model evaluation showed a signifi cant difference for each overall combination of the following pairs: p reoperative versus 3 months postoperative (P = 0.0005) and 3 months po stoperative versus 6 months postoperative (P = 0.002). There was no ov erall difference between psychosexual total score at 6 months after su rgery and 1 year after prosthesis implantation (P = 0.85). The patient s perceived improvement in their erectile ability and libido. Concern about obtaining and maintaining an erection during intercourse was sig nificantly alleviated. There was an increase in the frequency of sexua l activity and an improvement in satisfaction with sex life. A decreas e in feelings of sadness, depression, anxiety, anger, frustration, and embarrassment related to sexual activity was also noted. Conclusions. The current study demonstrates significant improvement in the psychos exual well being of multicomponent penile implant recipients, with att ainment of a high level of patient satisfaction up to 1 year after sur gery. (C) 1998, Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.