How does IVF influence the sexuality of man

Few studies have investigated the sexual function of men who attend the special clinics for assisted reproduction. Recently published study (Lotti, 2012) that was designed to describe the characteristics of men with their partner who seek help for infertility, based on 244 men from couples who participated.

According to the results, 17.8% of these men had erectile disfunction and 15.6% had premature ejaculation. About 1 in 6 men had a problem with erection or rapid ejaculation.

In addition, men with erectile disfunction have an increased chance to report symptoms of depression, while men with rapid ejaculation were increased likelihood to report symptoms of prostatitis and acute stress.

How to explain the results from the above study?

The above study was conducted to couples facing infertility problem and had contacted a special clinic to receive medical services assisted reproduction. While it appeared that a significant percentage of men experiencing a sexual problem, this study gives us no information about whether the sexual problem was the cause or the consequence of infertility.

It is extremely common in sexual problems arise when couples have sex with aim the pregnancy. Because these contacts are often determined by the days of ovulation rather than sexual desire, often result in problems in sexual function both man and woman.

Moreover, because these contacts are made with the sole purpose of arrest and not with a view to pleasure, often characterized by inadequate sexual stimuli, resulting in problems of arousal.

Moreover, experience difficulty conceiving often creates couples depression symptoms, which in turn significantly increase the probability of sexual problems.

However, in some cases, infertility is due to the existence of sexual problems have unfortunately remained unresolved. Regardless of whether sexual problems are the cause or the consequence of infertility, it is very important for couples to seek treatment so that they can get pleasure from their sex life and especially not to lose the closeness between them.

Evi Kyrana (www.kyrana.gr) is a health psychologist - sexologist, Research Fellow of the Center for Sexual and Reproductive Health, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki

Source: TΑ ΝΕΑ