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Introduction: Prior studies evaluating the efficacy of penile prostheses (PP) and intracavernosal injections (ICI) have focused predominantly on sexual function, not psychosocial health. We utilized the freelisting technique and the Self-Esteem and Relationship (SEAR) questionnaire to evaluate the impact of PP and ICI treatments on psychosocial functioning., Materials and Methods: IRB-approval was obtained to perform an evaluation of patients who underwent PP or ICI treatment for erectile dysfunction (ED). Using a modified freelisting approach, participants were asked to give three one-word responses to questions about sexual function and relationships. Participants also completed the SEAR questionnaire and results were calculated based on the previously described formulas., Results: Fifty patients agreed to participate in the study (25 ICI, 25 PP). In the freelisting portion of the study, PP patients had more positive responses than ICI patients in 2 out of 3 questions. The freelisting study also identified important areas of concern for ED patients such as self-esteem, confidence, and treatment reliability. PP patients reported numerically higher SEAR total scores than ICI patients (63.9 vs. 53.9, p = 0.12), especially in confidence with duration of (p = 0.003), satisfaction with sexual performance (p = 0.06), and confidence with sexual performance (p = 0.02). SEAR confidence domain (p = 0.83), self-esteem subscale (p = 0.68), and overall relationship sub-scales (p = 0.90) were similar between PP and ICI patients., Conclusions: PP appears to have a stronger psychosocial impact compared to ICI; however, both PP and ICI patients continue to struggle with self-esteem, confidence, and treatment reliability. Further patient counseling before and after treatment may help to address these concerns and improve patient satisfaction.

Objective: To better understand patient experience, risk factors, culture, and ED outcomes surrounding recreational ICI use that led to ischemic priapism., Methods: After IRB approval, men presenting for ischemic priapism secondary to recreational ICI use from January 2010 to December 2018 were contacted by mail and then via telephone. Standardized questions were asked of all study participants on the topics of erectile function (IIEF-5), sexual practices, and at-risk behavior at the time of priapism. Qualitative data analysis was performed using grounded theory methodology., Results: 14 men age 24-59 were successfully recruited. All men described themselves as men having sex with men (MSM) and one (7.1%) as having both male and female sexual partners. Average follow up IIEF-5 among participants was 13 (SD 4.0). Eleven men (78.6 %) described illicit drug use at the time of priapism. Qualitative data analysis yielded several preliminary themes: concomitant drug use, naivety, peer pressure, and delay in seeking treatment. Men frequently reported illicit drug use in group sex scenarios and ICI use under pressure to perform sexually or to counteract effects of illicit substances., Conclusions: Recreational ICI in this cohort was part of a lifestyle of risky behavior. Methamphetamine use and group sex encounters strongly motivate recreational ICI use. Substance abuse centers may offer an entry point into this population for counseling and primary prevention., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Sexual activity is an important element of quality of life for many individuals suffering from heart failure., Aims: The study investigated the influence of disease acceptance on sexual function in a population of male patients with chronic heart failure., Methods: The study included 80 patients with chronic heart failure (mean age 63.3±9.2 years) who filled in the Mell-Krat Scale questionnaire to evaluate sexual needs and reactions. We also used the International Index of Erection Function (IIEF-5) inventory and the Acceptance of Illness Scale (AIS)., Results: The study showed that the acceptance of the illness was positively associated with all of the Mell-Krat components such as sexual need, F = (3.27), frequency of intercourse, F = (2.46), position and technique, F = (1.88). Also, according to the IIEF-5 questionnaire, 84.42% of respondents had erectile dysfunction. Taken together these indicated that psychological adjustments such as acceptance of disease increase quality of all aspects of sexual functions in heart failure patients, including their erectile functions., Conclusions: Our findings suggest that psychological adjustments to feelings of loss associated with the onset of heart failure disease is the important determinant of quality of sexual life among male adults. Our research implicates that effects of AIS on sexual functioning give reasonable information to tailor sexual counselling for males suffering from heart failure.

Three experiments investigated the influence of penile erection on ascriptions of mental capabilities to men. Drawing on sexual objectification literature and the distinction between agency and experience in mind perception, three competing predictions were formulated. The mind redistribution hypothesis assumed that penile erection would lower agency and heighten experience attributions, the animalistic dehumanization hypothesis predicted the decrease in agency, but not experience, and the literal objectification hypothesis implied the simultaneous decrease in both agency and experience. In Experiment 1 (N = 219; 128 females), erection salience lowered agency, but not experience capabilities ascribed to male targets. Experiment 2 (N = 201, 113 females) replicated the negative effect of erection salience on perceived agency (but not experience) and revealed that erection salience lowered intentions to hire a male target. This effect was explained with the loss of perceived agency. Experiment 3 (N = 203, 98 females) verified the causal relationship between penile erection, agency and hiring intentions. Taken together, these results supported the animalistic dehumanization hypothesis.

Results: A total of 1128 patients were enrolled, and 264 of them (23.40%) suffered from TOIF. TOIF was positively associated with smoking, drinking, hypertension, diabetes, anxiety, unknown cause of infertility, lower semen concentration, lower frequency of intercourse, and decreased erectile function. The total IIEF-15 scores, erectile function, orgasmic function, sexual desire, intercourse satisfaction, and overall satisfaction were significantly decreased in patients with TOIF., Conclusion: TOIF is associated with lower semen concentration, anxiety, and other comorbidities such as hypertension and diabetes. Clinicians are required to focus on these associated factors in addition to improve the erectile function., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no competing interests., (Copyright © 2020 Jian Xiong et al.)

Objective: To characterize themes of discussion and specific concerns expressed by users of an internet erectile dysfunction (ED) community using a mixed-methodology approach involving quantitative natural language processing (NLP) and qualitative annotation of content., Methods: We extracted posts and responses from the Reddit community r/ErectileDysfunction (3100 members) during June 2018 to May 2019. We applied an NLP technique called the meaning extraction method with principal component analysis to computationally identify themes of discussion. We manually annotated a subset (30%) of posts based on NLP-derived themes to evaluate specific content., Results: We analyzed 329 posts and 1702 responses. Meaning extraction method with principal component analysis identified key themes: hypogonadism symptoms, masturbation/sex, evaluation/treatment, alternative therapies, and partner factors (posts); and performance anxiety, hypogonadism evaluation, pornography, and pharmacotherapy (responses). Subset annotation of 100 posts revealed a median author age of 24 years (Interquartile Range (IQR): 20-31). 48% of discussants believed their ED was psychogenic, 38% reported depressive symptoms, and 2% mentioned self-harm/suicidality either attributed to or associated with their ED. 28% of discussants reported seeing a health care professional for ED, and 20% attempted abstinence from pornography/masturbation as a self-prescribed intervention., Conclusion: Social media platforms like Reddit empower young men to discuss ED concerns. Fewer than one-third reported seeing a doctor for ED, suggesting that men turn to peers on the internet first, despite risk of misinformation. A majority attributed symptoms to psychological etiologies and excess pornography/masturbation. Depression, self-harm, and suicide emerged as potent concerns. These data underscore the importance of engaging proactively with young men, both in the consultation room and online., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The Sexual Inhibition/Sexual Excitation Scales (SIS/SES) measure sexual excitation and sexual inhibition proneness. We used SIS and SES scores of 62 heterosexual teleiophilic men ( M age 34.3, SD  = 9.9) to predict brain activation levels during the presentation of male and female visual sexual stimuli in a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner. Statistical analyses revealed significant correlations. SES and SIS1 scores were positively associated with brain activation in various brain regions during the presentation of both male and female stimuli. SIS2 turned out to be a weaker predictor of brain activation, still revealing one significant correlation in the right lateral orbitofrontal cortex. Significant regions for SES and SIS1 were, among others, primary and supplementary motor areas, the caudate nucleus, the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex, anterior insula, and prefrontal areas. Our study can be seen as an exploratory investigation of SIS and SES with means of functional brain imaging. The results provide a promising contribution to the assertion of neurophysiological systems of sexual inhibition and excitation proneness.

It is an interesting clinical phenomenon that when evaluating the erectile function of men with erectile dysfunction by couples, respectively, using the erectile hardness model, there will exist the evaluation difference between men and their female partners. This phenomenon reflects the problem of communication and cognition between husband and wife in ED patients. To explore the influencing factors associated with this clinical phenomenon, we conducted this interesting, observational, and cross-sectional field survey. We enrolled 385 couples from the andrology clinics of the first affiliated hospital of Anhui Medical University from December 2017 to December 2018. The demographic data of couples, the medical history, sexuality and the characteristics of ED, and anxiety and depression of the couples were collected through face-to-face interview and questionnaires. The couples were divided into two groups containing 238 couples and 147 couples, respectively. We divided couples into difference group including couples which have inconsistent evaluation results from touching the erectile hardness model and no difference group including couples which have consistent evaluation results from touching the erectile hardness model, respectively. The difference group where the couples share different evaluation results reported higher erectile hardness grade from men than from their female partners (male > female: 73.11% vs . male < female: 26.89%). The scores of IIEF-5 in difference group and no difference group are 13.43 ± 5.75 and 16.82 ± 8.23, respectively. The average grades evaluated from men and women in difference group are 2.79 ± 0.85 and 2.45 ± 0.63, respectively. The average grades evaluated from couples in no difference group are 3.02 ± 0.45. Through statistical comparison and logistic regression analysis, duration of ED > 16 months, seeking treatment from female, negative communication state, and depression from men are the relevant factors accounting for the different evaluation results. This phenomenon reflects the problem of communication and cognition between husband and wife in ED patients. As for couples with these risk factors, we cannot focus only on the oral medication which only restores the penile erectile function. More importantly, we must combine the sexual counseling and sexual knowledge education with the drug treatment. When the two treatments are tightly integrated, not only the penile erection but also the gap of couples can be restored which is the best result of the ED treatment., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2020 Jingjing Gao et al.)

Condoms effectively prevent against HIV, especially when used in conjunction with biomedical strategies such as PrEP and viral suppression. However, consistent use of condoms in the real world has been a continual health promotion challenge, even among populations at highest risk, such as young men who have sex with men (YMSM). Inconsistent condom use may be related to poor sexual functioning, but limited research exists. The analytic sample comprised 688 racially diverse YMSM aged 16-29 (M = 22.9 years) living in Chicago, IL (19.2% living with HIV). Using multivariable logistic regression, we examined longitudinal associations between condom-associated sexual functioning (erectile function, orgasm satisfaction, global satisfaction, and anal discomfort) and condomless insertive anal sex (CIAS) and condomless receptive anal sex (CRAS) 6 months later. CIAS at Time 2 was associated with condom-associated erectile function at the bivariate and multivariable levels, even after controlling for CIAS at Time 1 (p < .05). Condom-associated erectile function, orgasm satisfaction, and global satisfaction predicted Time 2 CRAS in bivariate models, but none remained significant in the multivariable models. Age, having had a serious partner in the past 6 months, and HIV/PrEP status at Time 2 were significant predictors of CIAS/CRAS in some but not all models. Future interventions to improve consistent condom use should specifically highlight information and skills on how to use condoms within real-world contexts rather than from a clinical perspective. Our results also support the importance of biomedical strategies for those who have continued problems with sexual functioning when using condoms.

This literature review presents two unusual and mystifying disorders of penile erection: painful nocturnal erections, alternatively termed sleep-related painful erections, and idiopathic stuttering priapism, a variant of recurrent ischemic priapism in which no cause is discernible. The disorders are closely related although they are distinct clinically and pathologically. The main subject areas of discussion are recognition, clinical evaluation and management although current concepts surrounding their causes and mechanisms are also addressed. It is acknowledged that despite the perceived rarities of these disorders they are impactful in terms of their disease profiles and consequences. Future advances in their management will require continued development of evidence-based treatments., (Copyright © 2019 American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Egypt from November 2015 to June 2016. Sexually active adult men were interviewed by a questionnaire designed by the authors. All the participants were evaluated by the abridged 5-item version of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF). A total of 3,000 sexually active Egyptian males participated in this study, 946 (31.53%) reported using PDE5Is at least once, and 2054 (68.47%) have never used them. The majority of those who used PDE5Is obtained them for recreational purposes mainly for pleasure (58.35%) and to increase duration/frequency of the intercourse (15.6%). Only 26.05% used PDE5Is to treat ED. The main source of obtaining PDE5Is was friends, relatives and colleagues (62.79%); 25.16% of users obtained the drug by themselves, and 6.66% were prescribed the drug by a pharmacist. Only 5.39% of users obtained the drug after a specialist physician consultation. Sildenafil was the most commonly used PDE5I (90.6%), and most of the users (88.05%) used them in an occasional manner even in the presence of erectile dysfunction, while 11.95% used the drug in a regular manner for every intercourse. PDE5Is are frequently used by the Egyptian male population, and most of them seemed to take them as recreational medications., (© 2019 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.)

Purpose: Current penile traction therapy devices have significant limitations, including the need to use them for 3 to 8 hours per day. Given these issues, the novel RestoreX® penile traction therapy device was developed in cooperation with Mayo Clinic., Materials and Methods: We performed a randomized, controlled, single-blind, intent to treat trial (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03389854) in men with Peyronie's disease who were assigned to the penile traction therapy device for 30 to 90 minutes per day or to no therapy for 3 months. Study inclusion criteria were curvature 30 degrees or greater with no study exclusions due to complex curvature, hourglass deformity, prior Peyronie's disease therapy or surgery, or calcification. The primary outcome was safety and secondary outcomes were penile length and curvature, and questionnaire responses., Results: A total of 110 men were randomized 3:1 to the penile traction therapy group or the control group. The cohorts were well matched with a mean age of 58.4 years, a 49.7-month Peyronie's disease history and 59.3 degree curvature. Overall penile traction therapy was well tolerated with only transient and mild adverse events reported. At 3 months men undergoing penile traction therapy demonstrated significant improvements over controls in penile length (1.5 vs 0 cm, p <0.001), curvature (-11.7 vs 1.3 degrees, p <0.01) and erectile function (4.3 vs -0.7, p = 0.01) according to the International Index of Erectile Function-Erectile Function among men with erectile dysfunction. Overall 77% of the men on penile traction therapy experienced improved curvature (mean -17.2 degrees in 28.2% of responders) while 94% achieved increased length (1.6 cm in 10.9%). Counter bending and the white line indicator improved efficacy, validating key device innovations. Of men who had previously used other penile traction therapy devices 100% preferred the RestoreX device., Conclusions: Penile traction therapy with the RestoreX device for 30 to 90 minutes per day was safe, and resulted in significant and clinically meaningful improvements in penile curvature and length in men with Peyronie's disease, and in erectile function in men with erectile dysfunction and Peyronie's disease with no significant adverse events. To our knowledge these data represent the only reported improvements for any device used less than 3 to 8 hours per day.

Introduction: Sexual dysfunction is common in individuals with psychiatric disorders and under psychotropic medication such as antidepressants and antipsychotics. Several scales have been developed to assess sexual function in these patients. The Arizona Sexual Scale (ASEX) is a five-item rating scale that quantifies sex drive, arousal, vaginal lubrication/penile erection, ability to reach orgasm, and satisfaction from orgasm. We describe the translation and cross-cultural adaptation of the ASEX into the Portuguese language, with the goal of contributing to the assessment of sexual function in Portuguese-speaking psychiatric patients under treatment with psychotropic drugs., Methods: The translation and cross-cultural adaptation process thoroughly followed the steps recommended by the Task Force of the International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR), namely: preparation, forward translation, reconciliation, back-translation, back-translation review, harmonization, cognitive debriefing, review of cognitive debriefing, finalization, proofreading, and final version., Results: The process was successfully completed and no major differences were found between the translation, reconciliation and back-translation phases, with only small adjustments being made., Conclusion: The translation of the ASEX was completed successfully, following international reference guidelines. The use of these guidelines is a guarantee of a Portuguese version that is qualitatively and semantically equivalent to the original scale. This availability of this new scale version will enable studies evaluating the sexual function of Portuguese-speaking psychiatric patients. Future studies may assess the validity of the scale for Portuguese-speaking populations.

Objectives: To validate a psychometric instrument, the Masturbation Erection Index (MEI) able to evaluate erectile function (EF) during masturbation. In fact, although the evaluation of EF during masturbation is pivotal in evaluating erectile dysfunction (ED), to date no specific psychometric tools have been developed to measure it both in the routine clinical practice and in the experimental setting., Patients and Methods: Of 560 men attending our andrological outpatient clinic for the first time, 99 (17.7%) had ED. As a control group, we enrolled 102 sexually healthy men. All the men were requested to complete both the six-item version of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-6) and the MEI. The MEI was used together with a standardised tool, the Erection Hardness Score (EHS). The MEI was validated in terms of content validity. Test-retest reliability was assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Internal consistency was evaluated by Cronbach's α. The comparability between the MEI and IIEF-6 in measuring EF was tested by Bland-Altman analysis. The concordance correlation coefficient (CCC) between the two questionnaires was also determined., Results: Internal consistency of the MEI was >0.93. Test-retest reliability was 0.982 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.975-0.987). Bland-Altman analysis showed a good level of agreement between the IIEF-6 and MEI in the whole ED population, with stronger agreement in the organic-ED subpopulation. The estimated area under the curve of the MEI was 0.983 (P < 0.001; 95% CI 0.954-0.996), with a score of ≤27 as the optimal threshold to discriminate between the presence and absence of ED during self-induced masturbation. The CCC, Pearson ρ and bias correction factor (Cb) were 0.951 (95% CI 0.936-0.962), 0.968, and 0.982, respectively., Conclusion: The MEI showed good internal consistency and a good level of agreement with the IIEF-6. Hence, the MEI fulfills the major psychometric requirements for measuring EF during masturbation., (© 2018 The Authors BJU International © 2018 BJU International Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Background: The generation or persistence of sexual arousal may be compromised when inhibitory processes such as negative emotions, outweigh sexual excitation. Disgust particularly, has been proposed as one of the emotions that may counteract sexual arousal. In support of this view, previous research has shown that disgust priming can reduce subsequent sexual arousal. As a crucial next step, this experimental study tested whether disgust (by means of odor) can also diminish sexual arousal in individuals who are already in a state of heightened sexual excitation., Methodology: In this study, participants were all men (N = 78). To elicit sexual arousal, participants watched a pornographic video. Following 4.30 minutes from the start of the video clip, they were exposed to either a highly aversive/disgusting odor (n = 42), or an odorless diluent/solvent (n = 36), that was delivered via an olfactometer, while the pornographic video continued. In both conditions the presentation of the odor lasted 1 second and was repeated 11 times with intervals of 26 seconds. Sexual arousal was indexed by both self-reports and penile circumference., Principal Findings: The disgusting odor (released when the participants were already sexually aroused) resulted in a significant decrease of both subjective and genital sexual arousal compared to the control (odorless) condition., Significance: The finding that the inhibitory effect of disgust was not only expressed in self-report but also expressed on the penile response further strengthens the idea that disgust might hamper behavioral actions motivated by sexual arousal (e.g., poor judgment, coercive sexual behavior). Thus, the current findings indicate that exposure to an aversive odor is sufficiently potent to reduce already present (subjective and) genital sexual arousal. This finding may also have practical relevance for disgust to be used as a tool for self-defence (e.g., Invi Bracelet)., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Radical prostatectomy, the preferred treatment option for organ-confined prostate cancer, is associated with a wide variety of sexual dysfunctions including erectile and orgasmic dysfunctions. Climacturia is a type of orgasmic dysfunction that has been reported to occur in 20-60% of men after radical prostatectomy. Several treatment strategies for climacturia have been evaluated and recommended including behavioral changes, use of special devices, medications, specialized therapies, and surgeries. Inflatable penile prosthesis implantation might be the treatment of choice when conservative management approaches fail to treat erectile dysfunction. In this review article, the different options and approaches for the management of climacturia during inflatable penile prosthesis surgery will be discussed.

Background: Treatment for localized prostate cancer (PCa) can cause long-term changes in erectile functioning. However, data on the importance of sexuality and possible consequences of altered erectile functioning on self-esteem in men with localized PCa are lacking., Methods: Self-report questionnaires were completed by 292 men with PCa, initially managed with active surveillance (AS) or radical prostatectomy (RP). Independent t-tests were conducted to evaluate group differences. A sequential multiple regression model was fitted to analyze the associations between the importance of sexuality, changes in erectile functioning and impairment of self-esteem. Interaction effects were tested using simple slope analyses., Results: Participants were 70 ± 7.2 years old and 66.5% rated sex as being "rather/very important". The two groups differed markedly in changes in erectile functioning, importance of sexuality and impairment of self-esteem (p < .001), with higher values in RP patients. Regression analysis showed that after adjustment for control variables and importance of sexuality, changes in erectile functioning were still associated with impairment of self-esteem (B = .668, SE = .069, p < .001). The interaction of changes in erectile functioning and importance of sexuality reached significance (B = .318, SE = .062, p < .001)., Conclusions: RP patients report more changes in erectile functioning than AS patients. Moreover, in men with localized PCa, erectile functioning and self-esteem are closely related. Sexuality seems to be important for the majority of these men. Physicians should address the possibility of erectile dysfunction and its potential effects on psychological well-being before the treatment decision.

Introduction: Peyronie's disease (PD) is associated with penile length loss due to atrophy that occurs as a result of fibrous inelastic scarring. Studies have shown diminished penile length and girth, as well as the inability to participate in sexual activity, can lead to decreased quality of life, emotional challenges, and sexual dissatisfaction in a large percentage of men., Aim: To provide a summary of the new developments in the surgical techniques available for the PD patient, with a focus on procedures that provide penile size restoration., Methods: A MEDLINE PubMed search was used to identify articles related to surgical treatments for PD, including plication procedures, penile prosthesis placement, and techniques for size restoration., Main Outcome Measure: Types of surgical treatments for PD and their outcomes regarding penile length and patient satisfaction., Results: The Nesbit procedure, among other plication procedures, and penile prosthesis placement with modeling or plication are likely to decrease penile length. Although plaque incision with grafting offers restoration of penile length, it carries a risk of postoperative erectile dysfunction (ED). For men with concomitant ED and severe curvature not amenable to prosthesis with modeling or plication, options include grafting, circumferential tunical incisions, subcoronal prosthesis placement, and the sliding technique with its modifications, allowing for management of both PD and ED while restoring penile length. Adjunct procedures, such as ventral phalloplasty and suspensory ligament release, have also been shown to restore length in PD patients. Novel therapies continue to evolve with the goal of preserving length while treating curvature., Conclusion: There are numerous surgical options for correcting penile curvature in PD patients, with or without concomitant ED treatment. When determining the optimal procedure, it is important to consider possible preservation of penile length and to discuss possible complications to increase patient satisfaction and improve quality of life. Barrett-Harlow B, Clavell-Hernandez J, Wang R. New Developments in Surgical Treatment for Penile Size Preservation in Peyronie's Disease. Sex Med Rev 2019;7:156-166., (Copyright © 2018 International Society for Sexual Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Besides erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation (PE) is the most frequent male sexual disorder and shows a high level of bother and distress. The negative consequences of long-term and unsuccessfully treated PE on both patient and partner are well established in the literature and include personal distress, impairment of the partner's sexual function, and interpersonal difficulties., Aim: To outline the consequences of untreated PE and the advantages and disadvantages of currently available treatment options with a special focus on a new topical eutectic lidocaine/prilocaine metered dose spray (Fortacin; Lidocaine/Prilocaine, Recordati, Milan, Italy) which represents the second officially approved drug in this indication., Methods: Narrative overview of the literature synthesizing the findings of literature retrieved from searches of computerized databases such as Web of Science, Medline, PubMed, and Google Scholar, hand searches, and authoritative texts. Combinations of keywords including premature ejaculation, ejaculatory control, intravaginal ejaculation latency time, IELT, PE, PDE5 inhibitors (PDE5i), SSRIs, topical anesthetics, lidocaine, prilocaine, and treatment were used. In the end, 59 studies published between 2000 and 2018 were considered relevant for this review., Main Outcome Measures: Published studies on PE-related negative psychosocial outcomes, as well as advantages and disadvantages of currently available off-label and officially approved treatment options., Results: Although a variety of treatment options for PE have shown marked improvements in stopwatch-measured intravaginal ejaculation latency time (IELT) and patient-reported outcomes as assessed by the Premature Ejaculation Profile (PEP), none of the investigated drugs has reached market approval. The only so far officially approved medication-dapoxetine-is characterized by high discontinuation rates of up to 90%, mostly because of high side effects, cost issues, efficacy below expectations, and the need for scheduling sexual intercourse., Conclusion: With the official approval in Europe the new dose-metered lidocaine-prilocaine spray (Fortacin) may become a real first-line therapy option for PE and may offer a satisfactory and affordable solution, especially because of its unique galenic preparation, making its handling easy and customer friendly. In addition, it has the potential to significantly increase the currently low patients' acceptance of available monotherapies and become an established second-line therapy for the severe PE patients with IELTs <1 to 2 minutes or with ante-portal ejaculation in combination with oral therapy. Porst H, Burri A. Novel treatment for premature ejaculation in the light of currently used therapies: A review. Sex Med Rev 2019; 7:129-140., (Copyright © 2018 International Society for Sexual Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Sexual sadism can be described as the sexual pleasure produced by acts of cruelty and bodily punishment. The most common method for evaluating sexual sadism is clinical evaluation, that is, evaluation based on the diagnostic criteria of nosological instruments such as the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders ( DSM) or the International Classification of Diseases (ICD). It is also possible to evaluate sadistic sexual preferences by phallometry, which provides a physiological measure of sexual excitation by deviant and nondeviant scenarios. The most recently developed evaluation method is the Severe Sexual Sadism Scale (SESAS), a dimensional instrument that has been empirically validated. Despite the availability of all these measurement techniques, very little research has been conducted on their degree of convergence. Consequently, the aim of the current study was to assess the relationship between these three measures of sexual sadism. Our analyses were conducted on a sample of rapists ( N = 72), assessed in a maximum-security penitentiary. There was no significant relation between phallometric scores and other measures of sexual sadism. There was, however, an important correlation between SESAS scores and Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th ed.; DSM-IV) sexual sadism diagnosis. Our results are consistent with other phallometric studies, which reported no difference in the penile responses of individuals diagnosed as sadists and those not diagnosed as sadists. Results and implications for future research are discussed.

Background: The Sexual Modes Questionnaire (SMQ) is a validated and widespread used tool to assess the association among negative automatic thoughts, emotions, and sexual response during sexual activity in men and women., Aim: To test the psychometric characteristics of the Italian version of the SMQ focusing on the Automatic Thoughts subscale (SMQ-AT)., Methods: After linguistic translation, the psychometric properties (internal consistency, construct, and discriminant validity) were evaluated. 1,051 participants (425 men and 626 women, 776 healthy and 275 clinical groups complaining about sexual problems) participated in the present study., Outcomes: 2 confirmatory factor analyses were conducted to test the fit of the original factor structures of the SMQ versions. In addition, 2 principal component analyses were performed to highlight 2 new factorial structures that were further validated with confirmatory factor analyses. Cronbach α and composite reliability were used as internal consistency measures and differences between clinical and control groups were run to test the discriminant validity for the male and female versions. The associations with emotions and sexual functioning measures also are reported., Results: Principal component analyses identified 5 factors in the male version: erection concerns thoughts, lack of erotic thoughts, age- and body-related thoughts, negative thoughts toward sex, and worries about partner's evaluation and failure anticipation thoughts. In the female version 6 factors were found: sexual abuse thoughts, lack of erotic thoughts, low self-body image thoughts, failure and disengagement thoughts, sexual passivity and control, and partner's lack of affection. Confirmatory factor analysis supported the adequacy of the factor structure for men and women. Moreover, the SMQ showed a strong association with emotional response and sexual functioning, differentiating between clinical and control groups., Clinical Translation: This measure is useful to evaluate patients and design interventions focused on negative automatic thoughts during sexual activity and to develop multicultural research., Strengths and Limitations: This study reports on the translation and validation of the Italian version of a clinically useful and widely used measure (assessing automatic thoughts during sexual activity). Limits regarding sampling technique and use of the Automatic Thoughts subscale are discussed in the article., Conclusion: The present findings support the validity and the internal consistency of the Italian version of the SMQ-AT and allow the assessment of negative automatic thoughts during sexual activity for clinical and research purposes. Nimbi FM, Tripodi F, Simonelli C, Nobre P. Sexual Modes Questionnaire (SMQ): Translation and Psychometric Properties of the Italian Version of the Automatic Thought Scale. J Sex Med 2018;15:396-409., (Copyright © 2018 International Society for Sexual Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Results from population-based studies and the Prostate Testing for Cancer and Treatment trial reported worse urinary continence (UC) and erectile function (EF) for radical prostatectomy (RP) patients compared with their radiation or active surveillance counterparts., Objective: To investigate functional outcomes for patients undergoing RP in a high-volume center., Data, Setting, and Participants: A total of 8573 consecutive RP patients (2008-2012) were analyzed., Intervention: RP., Outcome Measurements and Statistical Analysis: Standardized questionnaires assessing EF, UC, and quality of life (QoL), were completed at baseline and annually thereafter. UC was defined as use of 0 or 1 safety pad/d, whereas the regular use of 1 pad/d was considered incontinent. EF was defined as ≥3 points in the International Index of Erectile Function question two. QoL was assessed using the EORTC-QLQ-C30 Global Health/QoL item. Statistics relied on comparison of means and proportions., Results and Limitations: EF and UC rates significantly decreased after RP. Overall, 12-mo, 24-mo, and 36-mo EF rates were 45%, 51%, and 53%, but reached up to 65.7% in preoperatively potent patients with bilateral nerve sparing. At 36 mo, 13% reported problems in their partnership. However, at the same time point, 77% were satisfied with their sexual intercourse. UC rates were 89.1%, 91.3%, and 89.0% at 12-mo, 24-mo, and 36-mo postoperatively. Mean EORTC-QLQ-C30 scores ranged from 74 to 79 and remained constant compared to baseline., Conclusions: Although varying definitions hinder direct comparisons to other studies, functional outcomes seemed favorable for patients undergoing RP in a high-volume center and most patients reported excellent QoL., Patient Summary: Results of functional outcomes (urinary continence and potency) after radical prostatectomy are better in a high-volume center compared with those obtained from population-based data, and most patients report excellent quality of life after radical prostatectomy., (Copyright © 2017 European Association of Urology. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The current study examined the extent to which 1136 men were able to inhibit their sexual arousal on a phallometric assessment, when instructed to do so. Although the observed changes between the two conditions (i.e., Normal and Suppression) were small to moderate in magnitude, the change was not more than what would be expected by measurement error for most participants (e.g., 83% of pedophilic sex offenders against children did not successfully inhibit their sexual arousal in the Suppression condition). There were very few variables that were associated with the ability to suppress. Higher Pedophilia Index scores in the Suppression condition predicted a greater likelihood of sexual recidivism among sex offenders (hazard ratio = 1.17, 95% CI [1.04, 1.32]), but the ability to suppress sexual arousal was not found to predict sexual recidivism. The current study highlights the importance of accounting for measurement error and found that, when doing so, most sex offenders against children are unable to successfully inhibit their sexual arousal to children when instructed to do so, and that the ability to suppress sexual arousal is not associated with recidivism.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of group psychotherapy and the use of a phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor (PDE-5i) in the early rehabilitation stage of patients with prostate cancer undergoing radical prostatectomy (RP). Fifty-six patients undergoing RP for prostate cancer were randomised into four groups, and 53 completed the protocol: Group 1 - control (n = 11), Group 2 - group psychotherapy (n = 16), Group 3 - lodenafil 80 mg/one tablet per week (n = 12) and Group 4 - group psychotherapy + lodenafil 80 mg/one tablet per week (n = 14). The groups were individually evaluated for erectile function (IIEF-5) and quality of life - QoL (SF-36) weekly, with two meetings held a week apart before the RP and 12 weekly meetings after surgery. The ages ranged from 39 to 76 years, average 61.84. There were no significant medication side effects. Only Group 4 showed improvement in intimacy with a partner and satisfaction with their sex life (P = 0.045 and P = 0.013 respectively), and with no significant worsening of the IIEF-5 (P = 0.250) reported. All groups showed worsening in the final result of the role limitations caused by physical problems (P = 0.009) and role limitations caused by emotional problems (P = 0.002) of the SF-36, but Group 4 had a significantly higher score for the role limitations caused by physical problems (P = 0.009) than the other groups. In conclusion, precocious integral treatment involving group psychotherapy and PDE-5i before and after RP led to less deterioration of erectile function and other domains related to physical aspects (SF-36), with improvement in intimacy with their partner and satisfaction in their sex life, being superior to single treatments., (© 2016 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.)

Introduction: Studies have demonstrated high levels of satisfaction with penile prosthesis implantation (PPI). However, qualitative research exploring the experience of PPI through men's narratives is scarce., Aim: The main goals were to analyze (i) the level of sexual satisfaction (quantitatively), and (ii) the reasons for satisfaction and/or dissatisfaction with PPI (qualitatively)., Method: Participants were 47 men with erectile dysfunction who underwent surgery between 2003 and 2012, placed by a single surgeon. Structured telephone interviews were carried out., Main Outcome Measures: Satisfaction with PPI was a qualitative and quantitative measure assessed through the following four items: (i) "Would you repeat the PPI surgery?"; (ii) "Would you recommend the PPI surgery?"; (iii) "How satisfied are you with the PP?"; and (iv) "Could you explain the motives of your satisfaction/dissatisfaction?"., Results: The majority of men (79%) reported to be satisfied with PPI. Content analysis revealed four main themes for men's satisfaction with the PPI: (i) psychological factors were reported 54 times (n = 54) and included positive emotions, self-esteem, confidence, enhancement of male identity, major live change, and self-image; (ii) improvement of sexual function was reported 54 times (n = 54) and referred to achievement of vaginal penetration, increase of sexual desire, sexual satisfaction, penis size, and improvement of erectile function; (iii) relationship factors were reported 11 times (n = 11) and referred to relationship improvement and the possibility of giving pleasure to the partner; and (iv) improvement in urinary function (n = 3)., Conclusions: The level of satisfaction with the implementation of penile prostheses is very high, therefore constituting a treatment for erectile dysfunction with a positive impact on the experience of men at sexual, psychological and relational level., (© 2015 International Society for Sexual Medicine.)

Introduction: Much of the research on the association between erectile dysfunction (ED) and possible clinical relevant hypersexuality up to now has been only descriptive in nature., Aim: The present study aimed to explore the relationships among hypersexuality, ED, and sexual boredom in a sample of coupled community men., Methods: An Internet-based survey was conducted in two European countries. The sample included 911 Croatian and 210 German coupled men. The survey comprised the Hypersexual Disorder Screening Inventory, the International Index of Erectile Function and the Sexual Boredom Scale. Poisson regression analysis was used to examine how ED, solitary sexual activities and sexual boredom were associated with hypersexuality., Results: Among Croatian and German men, hypersexuality was significantly correlated with proneness to sexual boredom and more problems with erectile function., Conclusions: In some men, hypersexual behavior may serve as a coping mechanism for sexual fantasy poverty-associated boredom. In addition, ED within an intimate relationship can accompany this simultaneously., (© 2015 International Society for Sexual Medicine.)

Introduction: Many men seek penile augmentation treatments-a standard tool for their counseling is to inform them of what is "normal." Although some studies suggest good correlation between stretched and erect penile length, those that have measured stretched and erect length simultaneously have shown significant variability., Aim: To assess the accuracy of differing penile measurements with multiple observers., Methods: We recruited 201 adult men (mean age 49.6 years) who achieved full erection using intracavernosal injection., Main Outcome Measures: Penile measurements were taken by one of seven andrology specialists in a private, temperature-controlled (21°C, 72°F) environment. Stretched flaccid and erect length and circumference were measured. We analyzed the accuracy of each flaccid measurement using the erect measurements as a reference, for the overall patient population and for each observer., Results: The mean underestimate of length from stretched flaccid to erect was 2.64 cm (21.4%) and girth 2.27 cm (19.5%). Interobserver variability ranged from a mean underestimate of 16-27% (length) and 15-27% (girth)., Conclusions: In this large, multicenter, multi-observer study of penis size, flaccid measurements underestimated erect size. It also seems likely that there is significant interobserver variability. We believe erect penis measurements should be used for men being considered for treatment of small penis anxiety., (© 2015 International Society for Sexual Medicine.)

Erectile Dysfunction is considered a multifactorial disease, where organic and psychological aspects are often interconnected. In a randomized controlled pilot study, we compared the efficacy of combined vardenafil orodispersible tablet (VARD) and cognitive-behavioral sex therapy (CBST) vs. VARD alone in improving sexual symptoms in both male and female partners. Thirty male patients with erectile dysfunction, and their partners were randomly assigned with a 2 : 1 ratio, to two different arms and treated for 10 weeks with VARD (Group A; n = 19) or VARD+CBST (Group B; n = 11). International Index of Erectile Dysfunction (IIEF-15), Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and Index of Sexual Satisfaction (ISS) were, respectively, administered to male, female, and both partners at times (T) 0, 1 (+5 weeks of therapy) and 2 (+10 weeks of therapy). Groups A and B were similar in their sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. Pre-treatment (T0) test scores did not significantly differ among the groups. In both group A and B, the IIEF-Erectile Function domain showed a significant improvement from T0 to T1 (p = 0.005 and p < 0.0001 vs. T0, respectively) and from T0 to T2 only in group B (p = 0.013). In group A, FSFI and both male and female ISS did not show any significant change at T1 and T2 vs. T0. In group B, a significant improvement at final time-point in FSFI and male and female ISS scores was reported (p < 0.05, T2 vs. T0 in all scores). The results of our study suggest that both VARD alone and VARD+CBST improved erectile function, however, only VARD+CBST improved couple sexual satisfaction and female sexual function., (© 2015 American Society of Andrology and European Academy of Andrology.)

Introduction: Condom-associated erection problems (CAEP) are an underestimated factor related to inconsistent or incomplete male condom use. The underlying mechanisms of CAEP are not understood, and whether men who report these difficulties are also likely to experience erectile problems in situations when condoms are not used has not been studied., Aim: The aim of the study was to investigate, in a sample of condom-using young, heterosexual men (aged 18-24 years), whether men who report CAEP are more likely to (i) have erection problems when not using condoms and (ii) meet criteria for erectile dysfunction., Methods: A total of 479 men recruited online completed the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) and answered questions about erection problems experienced when using and not using condoms during the last 90 days. Demographic, sexual experience, and health status variables were investigated as correlates., Main Outcome Measures: Self-reported frequency of erection loss during condom application or during penile-vaginal intercourse (PVI) in the past 90 days and IIEF-5 scores., Results: Of the men, 38.4% were classified in the no CAEP group, 13.8% as having CAEP during condom application, 15.7% as having CAEP during PVI, and 32.2% as having CAEP during both condom application and PVI. Men reporting any form of CAEP were significantly more likely than men reporting no CAEP to also report erection difficulties during sexual activity when not using condoms. Men who reported CAEP during PVI only or during both application and PVI scored significantly lower on the IIEF-5 than men without CAEP., Conclusion: The findings suggest that men who report CAEP are also more likely to experience more generalized erection difficulties. Clinicians should assess whether men using condoms experience CAEP and where appropriate, refer for psychosexual therapy or provide condom skills education., (© 2015 International Society for Sexual Medicine.)

Introduction: The Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS)(®) Sexual Function and Satisfaction measure (SexFS) version 1.0 was developed with cancer populations. There is a need to expand the SexFS and provide evidence of its validity in diverse populations., Aim: The aim of this study was to describe the development of the SexFS v2.0 and present preliminary evidence for its validity., Methods: Development built on version 1.0, plus additional review of extant items, discussions with 15 clinical experts, 11 patient focus groups (including individuals with diabetes, heart disease, anxiety, depression, and/or are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or aged 65 or older), 48 cognitive interviews, and psychometric evaluation in a random sample of U.S. adults plus an oversample for specific sexual problems (2281 men, 1686 women). We examined differential item functioning (DIF) by gender and sexual activity. We examined convergent and known-groups validity., Results: The final set of domains includes 11 scored scales (interest in sexual activity, lubrication, vaginal discomfort, clitoral discomfort, labial discomfort, erectile function, orgasm ability, orgasm pleasure, oral dryness, oral discomfort, satisfaction), and six nonscored item pools (screeners, sexual activities, anal discomfort, therapeutic aids, factors interfering with sexual satisfaction, bother). Domains from version 1.0 were reevaluated and improved. Domains considered applicable across gender and sexual activity status, namely interest, orgasm, and satisfaction, were found to have significant DIF. We identified subsets of items in each domain that provided consistent measurement across these important respondent groups. Convergent and known-groups validity was supported., Conclusions: The SexFS version 2.0 has several improvements and enhancements over version 1.0 and other extant measures, including expanded evidence for validity, scores centered around norms for sexually active U.S. adults, new domains, and a final set of items applicable for both men and women and those sexually active with a partner and without. The SexFS is customizable, allowing users to select relevant domains and items for their study., (© 2015 International Society for Sexual Medicine.)

Introduction: Penile corporoplasty is a well-established treatment method of congenital penile deviation (CPD). Anatomical results are good with only slight differences between surgical procedures used. The disease however has huge influence on young male quality of life. This issue is not well analyzed in the literature., Aim: The aim of the study was to evaluate quality of life of the patients affected with CPD before and after the surgical treatment, Methods: Study population consisted of 107 patients with CPD referred for surgical management. Patients were evaluated with not only clinical assessment, but also by four questionnaires measuring various aspects of quality of life. They were: Short-Form Medical Outcomes, Sexual Quality of Life Questionnaire for Man, Beck Depression Inventory, and International Index of Erectile Function., Results: Quality of life measurements showed deep decrease in the general quality of life, sexual performance, depression scale, as well as in physical and mental health in men with CPD. All these parameters were restored to normal after the successful surgical treatment with any method., Conclusion: CPD deeply decreases the quality of life of the affected men in many aspects. Surgical treatment is able to repair the anatomical deformity and as well as significantly restore the patients' psychosocial well-being., (© 2015 International Society for Sexual Medicine.)

Introduction: Although conceptual models of sexual functioning have suggested a major role for implicit cognitive processing in sexual functioning, this has thus far, only been investigated in women., Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the role of implicit cognition in sexual functioning in men., Methods: Men with (N = 29) and without sexual dysfunction (N = 31) were compared., Main Outcome Measures: Participants performed two single-target implicit association tests (ST-IAT), measuring the implicit association of visual erotic stimuli with attributes representing, respectively, valence ('liking') and motivation ('wanting'). Participants also rated the erotic pictures that were shown in the ST-IAT on the dimensions of valence, attractiveness, and sexual excitement to assess their explicit associations with these erotic stimuli. Participants completed the International Index of Erectile Functioning for a continuous measure of sexual functioning., Results: Unexpectedly, compared with sexually functional men, sexually dysfunctional men were found to show stronger implicit associations of erotic stimuli with positive valence than with negative valence. Level of sexual functioning, however, was not predicted by explicit nor implicit associations. Level of sexual distress was predicted by explicit valence ratings, with positive ratings predicting higher levels of sexual distress., Conclusions: Men with and without sexual dysfunction differed significantly with regard to implicit liking. Research recommendations and implications are discussed., (© 2015 International Society for Sexual Medicine.)

Introduction: Men referred for borderline testosterone levels represent an increasingly common clinical scenario, yet there is little literature on this population., Aim: We hypothesized that men referred for borderline testosterone levels would have higher rates of depression and depressive symptoms than the general population., Methods: Subjects included 200 adult men (mean age of 48 years old) referred for borderline total testosterone levels between 200 and 350 ng/dL (6.9-12 nmol/L). Collected data included demographic information, medical histories, medication use, signs and symptoms of hypogonadism, and assessments of depressive symptoms and/or a known diagnosis of depression or use of an antidepressant., Main Outcome Measures: The main outcome measure was a combination of known depression, current use of an antidepressant, and/or depressive symptoms according to the Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9) with scores ≥10 considered positive., Results: Depression and/or depressive symptoms were present in 56% of the subjects. This rate was significantly higher than rates of 6-23% (PHQ-9 scores ≥10) seen in general populations. Antidepressant use was 25%. The population was notable for high rates of overweight/obesity and physical inactivity. Common symptoms were erectile dysfunction, decreased libido, fewer AM erections, low energy, and sleep disturbances., Conclusions: While sexual and nonspecific symptoms (i.e., fatigue) likely prompted measurements of testosterone in this selected population, clinicians should recognize the high rates of depression and depressive symptoms in men referred for borderline testosterone levels. Clinicians should consider screening for depression/depressive symptoms and overweight and unhealthy lifestyle risk factors in men referred for tertiary care for potential hypogonadism., (© 2015 International Society for Sexual Medicine.)

Introduction: Recent epidemiological studies reported high prevalence rates of erectile dysfunction (ED) among younger heterosexual men (≤40). It has been suggested that this "epidemic" of ED is related to increased pornography use. However, empirical evidence for such association is currently lacking., Aim: This study analyzes associations between pornography use and sexual health disturbances among younger heterosexual men using four large-scale online samples from three European countries., Methods: The analyses were carried out using a 2011 cross-sectional online study of Croatian, Norwegian, and Portuguese men (Study 1; N = 2,737) and a 2014 cross-sectional online study of Croatian men (Study 2; N = 1,211). Chi-square test and multivariate logistic regression were used to explore the associations between pornography use and sexual difficulties., Main Outcome Measures: In Study 1, erectile difficulties, inability to reach orgasm, and a lack of sexual desire were measured using the Global Study of Sexual Attitudes and Behavior indicators. In Study 2, ED was measured with the abridged International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5). Delayed ejaculation and a decrease of sexual desire were assessed with one-item indicators., Results: In Study 1, only the relationship between pornography use and ED among Croatian men was statistically significant (χ(2) [2] = 18.76, P < 0.01). The association was small and inconsistent. Compared with infrequent use of pornography, moderate but not high frequency of pornography use increased the odds of reporting ED (adjusted odds ratio = 0.53, P < 0.01). In Study 2, no significant associations both between either the frequency or the recent dynamics of pornography use and male sexual dysfunctions were observed., Conclusion: We found little evidence of the association between pornography use and male sexual health disturbances. Contrary to raising public concerns, pornography does not seem to be a significant risk factor for younger men's desire, erectile, or orgasmic difficulties., (© 2015 International Society for Sexual Medicine.)

To investigate the change of erection duration measured by stopwatch with flexible dose vardenafil administered for 8 weeks in subjects with erectile dysfunction (ED). Effect of levitra on sustenance of erection was an open-label, prospective, multicenter and single-arm study designed to measure the duration of erection in men with ED receiving a flexible dose of vardenafil over an 8-week treatment period. Patients were instructed to take vardenafil 10 mg 60 min before attempting the intercourse. Vardenfil could be increased to 20 mg or decreased to 5 mg concerning patients' efficacy and safety. Following the initial screening, patients entered a 4-week treatment-free run-in phase and 8-week treatment period, during which they were instructed to attempt intercourse at least four times on four separate days. A total of 95 men were enrolled in 10 centers. After the 8 weeks treatment, the mean duration of erection leading to successful intercourse was statistically superior when patients were treated with vardenafil. After an 8-week treatment, the duration of erection leading to successful intercourse was 9.39 min. There were significant benefits with vardenafil in all domains of International Index of Erectile Function. Secondary efficacy end points included success rate of penetration, maintaining erection, ejaculation and satisfaction were superior when patients were treated with vardenafil. There was a significant correlation between duration of erection with other sexual factors. Also partner's sexual satisfaction was increased with vardenafil. Most adverse events were mild or moderate in severity. Vardenafil was safe and well tolerated. Vardenafil therapy provided a statistically superior duration of erection leading to successful intercourse in men with ED with female partner.

Introduction: Refractory ischemic priapism (RIP) can be difficult to treat, consuming significant healthcare-related resources. Acute insertion of a malleable penile prosthesis (MPP) has been reported as an effective therapy that treats the priapism and restores sexual function., Aim: We report our 6-year, urban public hospital experience with acute insertion of MPP in patients with RIP., Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the records of patients receiving MPPs for RIP from 2007 to 2013. Data analyzed included duration of erection, number of emergency room (ER) visits, hospital admissions, days of hospitalization, and postoperative course. Costs were estimated using standard Medicare reimbursement rates., Main Outcome Measure: Healthcare-related costs of treatment of RIP episodes in men presenting to our institution., Results: During the study period, 14 men underwent MPP placement acutely for refractory priapism. Thirteen presented with RIP, and one had stuttering priapism over a 14-day hospitalization. Etiologies included sickle cell anemia (4/13, 29%), medication-induced (3/14, 21%), and idiopathic (7/14, 50%). Average preoperative duration of RIP was 82 hours with considerable consumption of health-care resources (average US $83,818 estimated cost, 4 ER visits [range 1-27], 2 hospital admissions [range 1-5], 1.5 shunt procedures [range 1-3], 5 irrigation and drainage procedures using phenylephrine injection [range 2-20], and 5 hospital admission days [range 2-14]). All patients were discharged within 24 hours of MPP surgery., Conclusions: The management of RIP is associated with multiple ER visits, prolonged hospital admissions, and significant resource utilization. MPP insertion is efficacious for the immediate resolution of refractory priapism, with potential cost and resource benefits., (© 2014 International Society for Sexual Medicine.)

Initiation of ED treatment with a particular PDE5I may influence treatment-adherence and other outcomes. In this multicenter, open-label study, men with ED, naïve to PDE5I, were randomized to tadalafil 5 mg once-a-day (OaD; N=257), 10 mg on demand (PRN; N = 252) or sildenafil-citrate (sildenafil) 50 mg PRN (N = 261) for 8 weeks (dose adjustments allowed), followed by 16 weeks of pragmatic treatment (switching between PDE5I allowed). Primary outcomes (treatment-adherence) were reported previously. Here, we report effects on: Psychological and Interpersonal Relationship Scales, Self-Esteem and Relationship (SEAR) questionnaire, ED Inventory of Treatment Satisfaction (EDITS), International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF), Sexual Encounter Profile (SEP) and Global Assessment Questions (GAQ). Mixed-model for repeated measures and analysis of covariance were used to analyze changes from baseline; GAQ-responses were evaluated by logistic regression. Analyses were adjusted for treatment, country, ED-severity, baseline and baseline-by-treatment interaction. Patients randomized to tadalafil OaD or PRN reported greater improvement (least-square mean (s.e.) change) in Sexual Self-Confidence (OaD +0.90 (0.048), PRN +0.93 (0.050), vs +0.73 (0.049); P=0.006 and P=0.001) and Spontaneity (OaD +0.11 (0.035), PRN +0.13 (0.035), vs +0.02 (0.035); P = 0.044 and P = 0.010) compared with sildenafil. Improvements in GAQ and SEP responses, IIEF-EF, orgasmic function, sexual desire, overall satisfaction domains, SEAR and EDITS scores did not differ significantly between treatment groups.

Introduction: Twenty to thirty percent of patients with Peyronie's disease (PD) have erectile dysfunction (ED) refractory to medical therapy and may benefit from a combined procedure addressing both conditions., Aim: The aim of this study was to show the efficacy of inflatable penile prosthesis (IPP) insertion and synchronous penile plication for correcting penile curvature and ED in patients with PD., Methods: A retrospective review was performed of all patients who underwent IPP insertion with synchronous penile plication at our tertiary care center between 2010 and 2013. All patients received an intraoperative saline intracorporal injection to induce an artificial erection. After the tunica albuginea was exposed via a standard transverse scrotal incision over the proximal penile shaft, the incision was retracted distally and/or laterally as needed for plication suture placement. Plication sutures were placed in parallel opposite the angle of greatest curvature. The incision was returned proximally to the standard penoscrotal junction for IPP insertion. Demographic and surgical data were collected from the patients' medical records. Patient satisfaction was assessed postoperatively using a nonvalidated questionnaire., Main Outcome Measures: The focus of this study was surgical outcomes, both technical and patient-reported satisfaction., Results: Eighteen patients with a mean age of 63 years underwent IPP insertion with synchronous penile plication. Patients presented with dorsal (n = 11), lateral (n = 2), and biplanar curvature (n = 5). Mean preoperative curvature was 39 degrees (range 30-60) and was corrected on average to <5 degrees (range <5-12) using a median of four plication sutures (range 3-6). Among 15 patients completing a postoperative satisfaction survey at a mean of 11 months, all reported improvement in their overall condition and penile curvature; one with biplanar deformity reported minor residual curvature. None reported continued pain or required suture release., Conclusions: IPP insertion with synchronous penile plication for the correction of ED and PD is effective and results in high patient satisfaction., (© 2014 International Society for Sexual Medicine.)

Objective: To assess the clinical effect of the 'prostatic urethral lift' (PUL) on lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) through a crossover design study., Patients and Methods: Men aged ≥ 50 years with an International Prostate Symptom Score of ≥ 13, a maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax) of ≤ 12 mL/s, and a prostate of 30-80 mL were enrolled into a crossover study after completing a prospective, randomised, controlled, 'blinded' pivotal study in which they were control subjects receiving a sham procedure. Patients were followed for 1 year after crossover PUL at 19 centres in the USA, Canada and Australia. The sham procedure involved rigid cystoscopy with simulated active treatment sounds. PUL involved placing permanent UroLift® (NeoTract, Inc., Pleasanton, CA, USA) implants into the lateral lobes of the prostate to enlarge the urethral lumen. Urinary symptom relief, health-related quality of life (HRQL) impact, urinary flow parameters, sexual function, and adverse events were assessed and compared between the sham and PUL using paired statistical analysis., Results: Symptom, flow, HRQL and sexual function assessments showed response improvements from baseline results, similar to results from other published studies, and most parameters were markedly improved after PUL vs the sham procedure in the same patients. Symptom, flow, and HRQL improvements were durable over the 12 months of the study. Adverse events associated with the procedure were typically transient and mild to moderate; one patient (2%) required re-intervention with transurethral resection of the prostate in the first year. There were no occurrences of de novo, sustained ejaculatory or erectile dysfunction., Conclusion: The PUL can be performed under local anaesthesia, causes minimal associated perioperative complications, allows patients to quickly return to normal activity, provides rapid and durable improvement in symptoms, and preserves sexual function.

Objective: To evaluate the clinical efficacy of sildenafil for the improvement of penile erection hardness in erectile dysfunction (ED) patients and to determine the relationship between this improvement in erection hardness and social and psychological functioning., Materials and Methods: From 2007 to 2008, a total of 4507 men diagnosed with ED were enrolled from 46 centers in China; 4039 of these patients were treated with sildenafil and asked to complete the Erectile Function domain of the International Index of Erectile Function, Erection Hardness Score, and Quality of Erection Questionnaire. The patients were divided into 5 groups on the basis of their age (group A: 20-30 years; group B: 31-40 years; group C: 41-50 years; group D: 51-60 years; and group E: >60 years)., Results: A total of 3837 (95.0%) patients completed the entire study. After sildenafil treatment, the vast majority (96.3%) of the men were able to achieve grade 3-4 erection hardness. Patients with a better baseline erection hardness were more able to achieve grade 4 hardness after treatment (P <.001). Comparisons of the Erection Hardness Score improvement before and after treatment between the age-categorized groups also showed that the erection hardness improvement was much greater in men older than 50 years., Conclusion: Sildenafil can help the vast majority of Chinese ED patients achieve grade 3-4 erection hardness. Grade 4 hardness can improve the patients' sexual life to a greater extent than grade 3 hardness. A marked improvement in erection hardness can be achieved in patients older than 50 years., (Crown Copyright © 2014. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Despite the ubiquity of 1-month recall periods for measures of sexual function, there is limited evidence for how well recalled responses correspond to individuals' actual daily experiences., Aim: To characterize the correspondence between daily sexual experiences and 1-month recall of those experiences., Methods: Following a baseline assessment of sexual functioning, health, and demographic characteristics, 202 adults from the general population (101 women, 101 men) were recruited to complete daily assessments of their sexual function online for 30 days and a single recall measure of sexual function at day 30., Main Outcome Measures: At the baseline and 30-day follow-ups, participants answered items asking about sexual satisfaction, sexual activities, interest, interfering factors, orgasm, sexual functioning, and use of therapeutic aids during the previous 30 days. Participants also completed a measure of positive and negative affect at follow-up. The main outcome measures were agreement between the daily and 1-month recall versions of the sexual function items., Results: Accuracy of recall varied depending on the item and on the gender and mood of the respondent. Recall was better (low bias and higher correlations) for sexual activities, vaginal discomfort, erectile function, and more frequently used therapeutic aids. Recall was poorer for interest, affectionate behaviors (e.g., kissing), and orgasm-related items. Men more than women overestimated frequency of interest and masturbation. Concurrent mood was related to over- or underreporting for six items addressing the frequency of masturbation and vaginal intercourse, erectile function, and orgasm., Conclusions: A 1-month recall period seems acceptable for many aspects of sexual function in this population, but recall for some items was poor. Researchers should be aware that concurrent mood can have a powerful biasing effect on reports of sexual function., (© 2013 International Society for Sexual Medicine.)

Objective: To assess anxiety, health-related quality of life (HRQL) and understanding of active surveillance (AS) in a cohort of patients enrolled in AS of prostate cancer in an Australian setting., Patients and Methods: Survey of 61 men currently enrolled in AS for prostate cancer, which included validated measures of sexual function using the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5), voiding using the International Prostate Symptom Severity Score (IPSS) and the Memorial Anxiety Scale for Prostate Cancer (MAX-PC), a measure of prostate cancer specific anxiety. Three novel questions to assess patients' Understanding of AS (UAS). IIEF-5 and IPSS scores obtained through the present survey were compared with patients' scores at initiation of AS., Results: In all, 47 of 61 (77%) patients responded to the survey. There was no significant difference in patients' IIEF-5 and IPSS scores at commencement of AS compared with the survey results. Our patients' on AS MAX-PC scores were consistent with other published cohorts and did not suggest high rates of clinically significant anxiety amongst this cohort. Most (89%) of the patients' responses to the UAS indicated a correct understanding of AS., Conclusion: Our patients on AS maintained their HRQL with low levels of anxiety, which did not differ from those reported in other groups of men with prostate cancer and most had an appropriate understanding of AS. This study represents one of the first Australasian investigations on HRQL and anxiety in men on AS of prostate cancer., (© 2014 The Authors. BJU International © 2014 BJU International.)

Introduction: Sexual dysfunctions (SDs) are dictated by predisposing, precipitating, maintaining, and contextual factors, the latter of which can help sexual problems to emerge. Even if the lack of sexual privacy is one of the most common contextual issues, it has not been extensively studied., Aim: Investigation of sexual privacy in a large sample of men consulting for SD was the aim of this study., Methods: A consecutive series of 3,736 men, attending the outpatient clinic for SD for the first time, was retrospectively studied. Privacy during sexual intercourse was investigated with the following question, "During the last three months, have you had enough privacy during your sexual activity?" and rated 0 = yes, 1 = sometimes, 2 = rarely, and 3 = never., Main Outcome Measures: Several clinical, biochemical, and psychological (Middlesex Hospital Questionnaire [MHQ]) parameters were studied., Results: Among the 3,736 patients studied, 83.9% reported enough privacy during sexual intercourse, while 8.6%, 5.7%, and 1.7% declared a decrease of sexual privacy of increasing severity. Lack of sexual privacy was associated with ejaculatory dysfunctions and with the inability to maintain an erection during intercourse. Subjects reporting lack of sexual privacy had a higher risk of relational and intrapsychic impairments, as well as psychopathology at MHQ questionnaire, even after adjusting for confounders. Fatherhood was associated with sexual privacy issues only in the lowest quartiles. In subjects without children, the absence of cohabitation with the partner was associated with an increasing risk of not having enough privacy (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.837 [1.269-2.659], P = 0.001); data confirmed, after stratification for age, only in the youngest subjects (I quartile HR = 2.159 [1.211-3.848], P = 0.009)., Conclusions: This study indicates that sexual privacy is often a poorly investigated item, which is important to evaluate in male SD., (© 2013 International Society for Sexual Medicine.)

Aim: The aim of this study was to report and analyze the published data from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) for (i) the psychosocial outcomes associated with erectile dysfunction (ED) before treatment with a phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor; and (ii) the change in psychosocial outcomes after the use of a PDE5 inhibitor in men with ED., Methods: The method used was a prospectively designed systematic literature review of publications reported in MEDLINE via PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, Science Citation Index Expanded, and PsychINFO from January 1, 1995 to May 14, 2012., Main Outcome Measures: The main outcome measures were scores on psychosocial measures in men who were treated for ED with a PDE5 inhibitor before and after treatment., Results: A total of 1,714 publications were retrieved; 1,674 publications were excluded because they did not meet the design requirements of the review, and 40 publications (32 RCTs) were retained. Before treatment, men who participated in clinical trials reported relatively good quality of life and overall relationships, but poor sexual relationships and sexual satisfaction, diminished confidence, low self-esteem, and symptoms of depression. After treatment, there were significant improvements from baseline in most of these measures, except for overall life satisfaction and overall relationship satisfaction., Conclusions: ED and the treatment of ED are associated with substantially broader aspects of a man's life than just erectile functioning. This review demonstrates the importance of evaluating the psychosocial factors associated with ED and its treatment, and the importance of using standardized scales to conduct this evaluation. Further research is needed to better understand the mechanisms underlying the reciprocal relationships among physical and psychological functioning in men with ED., (© 2013 International Society for Sexual Medicine.)

Sexual self-confidence has been shown to be associated with erectile function (EF) in men receiving PDE-5 inhibitor therapy; however, few studies have investigated the pathways (for example, sexual satisfaction, communication, time concerns and spontaneity) through which improvements in sexual self-confidence occur. This study examined this relationship using a path analysis model in men with ED enrolled in an open-label clinical trial of 20 mg tadalafil, administered on-demand over 12 weeks. International Index of Erectile Function and Psychological and Interpersonal Relationship Scales data were used to assess improvement in EF, sexual confidence and mediating variables. Controlling for baseline measures and covariates, the model indicated that change in sexual self-confidence was significantly associated with changes in EF (P<0.0001), sexual communication conflict (P=0.01), time concerns (P<0.0001) and spontaneity (P<0.0001). The total effect of EF on sexual self-confidence was 0.85, with 0.08 of this relationship indirectly mediated through time concerns and spontaneity. These data suggest that improved sexual confidence in men receiving treatment with a long-acting PDE-5 inhibitor occurs both directly via improved EF and indirectly via improved spontaneity and diminished time concerns.

To apportion the direct effect and the indirect effect (through erections) that sildenafil (vs placebo) has on individual satisfaction and couple satisfaction over time, longitudinal mediation modeling was applied to outcomes on the Sexual Experience Questionnaire. The model included data from weeks 4 and 10 (double-blind phase) and week 16 (open-label phase) of a controlled study. Data from 167 patients with erectile dysfunction (ED) were available for analysis. Estimation of statistical significance was based on bootstrap simulations, which allowed inferences at and between time points. Percentages (and corresponding 95% confidence intervals) for direct and indirect effects of treatment were calculated using the model. For the individual satisfaction and couple satisfaction domains, direct treatment effects were negligible (not statistically significant) whereas indirect treatment effects via the erection domain represented >90% of the treatment effects (statistically significant). Week 4 vs week 10 percentages of direct and indirect effects were not statistically different, indicating that the mediation effects are longitudinally invariant. As there was no placebo arm in the open-label phase, mediation effects at week 16 were not estimable. In conclusion, erection has a crucial role as a mediator in restoring individual satisfaction and couple satisfaction in men with ED treated with sildenafil.

Questionnaire data from 479 heterosexual men 18-24 years old were analyzed for correlates of CAEP during application (CAEP-Application) and CAEP during penile-vaginal intercourse (CAEP-PVI). Potential correlates were self-efficacy (condom application, product selection, and maintaining arousal), condom perceptions (condom worry/distraction, negative condom perceptions, concerns about application speed), condom fit, and motivation to use condoms. We conclude that (1) experiencing CAEP may become a repeating cycle, both affecting and being affected by, worry and distraction related to losing erections and maintaining arousal while using a condom (2) poorly fitting condoms may contribute to CAEP, and (3) CAEP may decrease motivation to use condoms.