THE EFFECT OF BLADDER PAIN SYNDROME/INTERSTITIAL CYSTITIS ON PARTNER SEXUAL FUNCTIONS

Abstract

Objective: Bladder pain syndrome/Interstitial cystitis (BPS/IC) negatively affects both women’s social life and sexual functions. The study researched if this situation can negatively affect the sexual functions of the male partners of these women. Material and Method: The husbands of fifty female patients, who were treated for BPS/IC in our clinic, were contacted by telephone. The international index of erectile function-5 (IIEF-5), premature ejaculation diagnostic tool (PEDT), orgasmic function, sexual desire, sexual intercourse satisfaction and total satisfaction scores were used for the survey (Group 1). The same questionnaire was also used with fifty men whose wives did not have IC/BPS but who had applied to the urology outpatient clinic (Group 2). The scores of the participants were recorded and then the groups were compared. Results: The median IIEF-5 score was 23 (22-24) in both groups (p=0.899). Both groups had a median orgasmic score of 8 (7-9) (p=0.980). While the Median PEDT score was 7.00 (4.00-12.25) in Group 1, it was 4.50 (3.00-6.00) in Group 2 (p=0.002). The men in Group 2 were significantly more advantageous than Group 1 in terms of sexual desire, sexual intercourse satisfaction and total satisfaction scores, (p=0.003, p=0.0001 and p=0.003, respectively). Conclusion: Although BPS/IC does not have a significant effect on the IIEF-5 score of the husbands of women, it negatively affects the scores of sexual desire, sexual intercourse satisfaction, total satisfaction and premature ejaculation.