Download PDF
Semin Reprod Med 2009; 27(2): 186-190
DOI: 10.1055/s-0029-1202308
© Thieme Medical Publishers

Sex and the Infertile Male

Levent Gurkan1 , Mathew C. Raynor1 , Wayne J.G. Hellstrom1
  • 1Department of Urology, Section of Andrology, Tulane University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, Louisiana
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
26 February 2009 (online)

    Permissions and Reprints

ABSTRACT

Infertility is a major stressor in life and can cause disturbances in both sexual and marital relationships. The following review focuses on sexual function in men who are diagnosed with infertility. The impact of the diagnosis of infertility on male sexuality, including related diagnostic procedures and specific infertility treatments, is scrutinized in light of current scientific literature.

KEYWORDS

Male infertility - sexual dysfunction - erectile dysfunction

REFERENCES

  • 1 Wischmann T, Stammer H, Scherg H et al.. Psychosocial characteristics of infertile couples: a study by the ‘Heidelberg Fertility Consultation Service’.  Hum Reprod. 2001;  16 1753-1761
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 2 Benazon N, Wright J, Sabourin S. Stress, sexual satisfaction, and marital adjustment in infertile couples.  J Sex Marital Ther. 1992;  18 273-284
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 3 Mahlstedt P P. The psychological component of infertility.  Fertil Steril. 1985;  43 335-346
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 4 Glover L, Gannon K, Sherr L et al.. Psychological distress before and immediately after attendance at a male sub-fertility clinic.  J R Soc Med. 1994;  87 448-449
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 5 Keye Jr W R. Psychosexual responses to infertility.  Clin Obstet Gynecol. 1984;  27 760-766
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 6 Sigg C. Sexuality and sterility.  Ther Umsch. 1994;  51 115-119
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 7 Sandlow J I. Shattering the myths about male infertility. Treatment of male factors may be more successful and cost-effective than you think.  Postgrad Med. 2000;  107 235-239
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 8 Czyba-Gaultier C. Male infertility. Psychological aspects.  Soins Gynecol Obstet Pueric Pediatr. 1991;  (118) 27-29
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 9 Berger D M. Impotence following the discovery of azoospermia.  Fertil Steril. 1980;  34 154-156
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 10 Saleh R A, Ranga G M, Raina R et al.. Sexual dysfunction in men undergoing infertility evaluation: a cohort observational study.  Fertil Steril. 2003;  79 909-912
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 11 Coeffin-Driol C, Giami A. The impact of infertility and its treatment on sexual life and marital relationships: review of the literature.  Gynecol Obstet Fertil. 2004;  32 624-637
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 12 Zorn J R. Current place of the Huhner test in the work-up of couple infertility.  Gynecol Obstet Fertil. 2006;  34 142-146
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 13 Nachtigall R D, Becker G, Wozny M. The effects of gender-specific diagnosis on men's and women's response to infertility.  Fertil Steril. 1992;  57 113-121
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 14 Drake T S, Grunert G M. A cyclic pattern of sexual dysfunction in the infertility investigation.  Fertil Steril. 1979;  32 542-545
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 15 Jain K, Radhakrishnan G, Agrawal P. Infertility and psychosexual disorders: relationship in infertile couples.  Indian J Med Sci. 2000;  54 1-7
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 16 Hurwitz M B. Sexual dysfunction associated with infertility. A comparison of sexual function during the fertile and the non-fertile phase of the menstrual cycle.  S Afr Med J. 1989;  76 58-61
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 17 Shindel A W, Nelson C J, Naughton C K et al.. Premature ejaculation in infertile couples: prevalence and correlates.  J Sex Med. 2008;  5 485-491
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 18 Laumann E O, Paik A, Rosen R C. Sexual dysfunction in the United States: prevalence and predictors.  JAMA. 1999;  281 537-544
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 19 Oddens B J, den Tonkelaar I, Nieuwenhuyse H. Psychosocial experiences in women facing fertility problems–a comparative survey.  Hum Reprod. 1999;  14 255-261
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 20 Salvatore P, Gariboldi S, Offidani A et al.. Psychopathology, personality, and marital relationship in patients undergoing in vitro fertilization procedures.  Fertil Steril. 2001;  75 1119-1125
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 21 Slade P, Emery J, Lieberman B A. A prospective, longitudinal study of emotions and relationships in in-vitro fertilization treatment.  Hum Reprod. 1997;  12 183-190
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 22 Wright J, Allard M, Lecours A et al.. Psychosocial distress and infertility: a review of controlled research.  Int J Fertil. 1989;  34 126-142
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 23 Burns L H. Psychiatric aspects of infertility and infertility treatments.  Psychiatr Clin North Am. 2007;  30 689-716
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 24 Wespes E, Amar E, Hatzichristou D et al.. EAU guidelines on erectile dysfunction: an update.  Eur Urol. 2006;  49 806-815
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 25 Nomura M, Vacquier V D. Proteins associated with soluble adenylyl cyclase in sea urchin sperm flagella.  Cell Motil Cytoskeleton. 2006;  63 582-590
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 26 Dimitriadis F, Giannakis D, Pardalidis N et al.. Effects of phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors on sperm parameters and fertilizing capacity.  Asian J Androl. 2008;  10 115-133
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 27 Burger M, Sikka S C, Bivalacqua T J et al.. The effect of sildenafil in human sperm motion and function of normal and infertile men.  Int J Impot Res. 2000;  12 229-234
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 28 Hellstrom W J, Overstreet J W, Yu A et al.. Tadalafil has no detrimental effect on human spermatogenesis or reproductive hormones.  J Urol. 2003;  170 887-891
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 29 Pomara G, Morelli G, Canale D et al.. Alterations in sperm motility after acute oral administration of sildenafil or tadalafil in young, infertile men.  Fertil Steril. 2007;  88 860-865
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 30 Glenn D R, McVicar C M, McClure N et al.. Sildenafil citrate improves sperm motility but causes a premature acrosome reaction in vitro.  Fertil Steril. 2007;  87 1064-1070
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 31 Leiblum S R, Aviv A, Hamer R. Life after infertility treatment: a long-term investigation of marital and sexual function.  Hum Reprod. 1998;  13 3569-3574
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 32 Rantala M L, Koskimies A I. Sexual behavior of infertile couples.  Int J Fertil. 1988;  33 26-30
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 33 Lenzi A, Lombardo F, Salacone P et al.. Stress, sexual dysfunctions, and male infertility.  J Endocrinol Invest. 2003;  26(3, Suppl) 72-76
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 34 Gerhard I, Lenhard K, Eggert-Kruse W et al.. Clinical data which influence semen parameters in infertile men.  Hum Reprod. 1992;  7 830-837
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 35 Fenster L, Katz D F, Wyrobek A J et al.. Effects of psychological stress on human semen quality.  J Androl. 1997;  18 194-202
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 36 Hardy M P, Gao H B, Dong Q et al.. Stress hormone and male reproductive function.  Cell Tissue Res. 2005;  322 147-153
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 37 Sobrinho L G. Prolactin, psychological stress and environment in humans: adaptation and maladaptation.  Pituitary. 2003;  6 35-39
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 38 Poland M L, Giblin P T, Ager J W et al.. Effect of stress on semen quality in semen donors.  Int J Fertil. 1986;  31 229-231
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 39 Slade P, Raval H, Buck P et al.. A 3-year follow-up of emotional, marital and sexual functioning in couples who were infertile.  J Reprod Infant Psychol. 1992;  10 233-243
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar

Wayne J.G. HellstromM.D. F.A.C.S. 

Department of Urology, Tulane University Health Sciences Center, 1430 Tulane Avenue

SL-42, New Orleans, LA 70112

Email: whellstrom@tulane.edu