The impact of lower urinary tract symptoms on male sexual health: EpiLUTS

Abstract

To evaluate the association between International Continence Society categories of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS; storage, voiding, and postmicturition) and individual LUTS (associated with decreased sexual activity and sexual satisfaction in men) with erectile dysfunction (ED), ejaculatory dysfunction (EjD) and premature ejaculation (PE). The impact of LUTS on men's sexual health was captured as part of a cross-sectional epidemiological study to assess the prevalence LUTS among men and women aged > or =40 years in the USA, the UK and Sweden. The analysis included 11 834 men with a mean age of 56.1 years, 71% of whom reported being currently sexually active. The primary reason for not being sexually active was no partner (35%), followed by personal health (23%) and no desire (23%). Of the men, 26% had mild to severe ED, 7% had EjD, and 16% PE. Men with multiple LUTS had more severe ED and more frequent EjD and PE. Logistic regression analysis showed that greater age, hypertension, diabetes, depression, urgency with fear of leaking, and leaking during sexual activity were significantly associated with ED. The results were similar in the logistic regression analysis for EjD, whereas being younger and the absence of prostatitis were significantly associated with PE, as were the presence of terminal dribble, incomplete emptying, and split stream. LUTS are associated with common sexual dysfunctions in men. The results of this study highlight the importance of assessing the sexual health of men presenting with LUTS.