Do sperm parameters and infertility affect sexuality of couples?

Abstract

We aimed to analyse the relationship between sperm parameters and International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) score, the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) score, the testosterone (T) level in infertile men and between FSFI score and partners' fertility. Patients were divided into three groups; (group 1: azoospermia [n=57], group 2: sperm count <15million [n=41], group 3: sperm count >15million [n=81]). Patients and their partners filled the IIEF and FSFI forms. The normality of the tests was analysed with Kolmogorov-Smirnov and Shapiro-Wilk tests. Spearman's rho test, a nonparametric test, was used to correlate the data. A value of p<.05 was considered statistically significant. There was a positive correlation between the sperm count, other sperm parameters, morphology and motility and IIEF score, FSFI score and T (p=.037, .028 and .041 respectively). We found a positive correlation between IIEF score and FSFI score (p=.182). Infertile partners' FSFI score was lower than fertile partners' scores (p=.023). Male infertility causes severe sexual dysfunction in couples, and female sexual dysfunction increases in parallel to that of men. Male sexual function also tends to decrease with low sperm count. While the clinician evaluates infertile couples, psychological and sexual functions should also be evaluated and patients should not be deprived of appropriate treatment.