Male Sexual Dysfunction Before and After Lower Limb Trauma

Abstract

Background: Sexual dysfunction, which may occur after lower extremity trauma, is a main physical problem with negative mental health impacts. Objectives: This study aimed at comparing male sexual dysfunction before and after lower extremity trauma. Methods: In this cross sectional study, all patients with lower extremity trauma who were admitted to Kowsar hospital in Semnan, Iran, were recruited and assessed. Two main questionnaires were administered: a questionnaire including demographic and incident variables and the international index of erectile dysfunction (IIEF). Sampling was done from June 2014 to August 2015. Statistical analyses were performed using Friedman and Wilcoxon's test in SPSS Version 19. Results: Overall, 153 male patients participated in the study. The changes of sexual dysfunctions were significantly different before and after the incident in 1 and 3 months after the incident in all the IIEF subscales (P = 0 < 0001). Moreover, within 1 to 3 months after the trauma, a significant difference was found only in intercourse satisfaction subscale (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Males with lower extremity trauma are at risk of sexual dysfunction, which may continue for months after the trauma. Therefore, health care providers should evaluate and treat sexual dysfunction in patients after the lower extremity trauma.