Prostatectomy may decrease male orgasmic quality

The first longitudinal study of male orgasmic quality following radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP) found that some men experience decreased orgasmic quality. Overall, orgasmic quality improved with increasing length of follow up. It has been known that RRP and other surgical procedures for the treatment of prostate cancer can negatively impact sexual function, but previous studies had focused solely on erectile and ejaculatory function issues. The study will be presented during a discussed poster presentation on Saturday, May 8 starting at 1:00 p.m.

“These study results indicate that a man’s orgasmic quality following RRP is best in those men who regain erectile function,” said Herbert Lepor, M.D., a urologist at New York University and senior author of the study. “Therefore therapy with PDE-5 inhibitors may not only improve erectile function but also orgasmic function.”

The 24-month long study examined orgasmic quality in 228 men that completed questionnaires at three, six, 12, and 24 months following surgery. Patients were asked to rate their ability to achieve orgasm as very good, good, fair, poor or very poor. Approximately 15 percent of men with fair/poor orgasms improved to good/very good at 24 months. Orgasmic improvement during the duration of the study correlated strongly with age, erectile function, sexual desire, and successful sexual function.

“Men who undergo surgical treatment for prostate cancer can face a host of psychological stressors, apart from the obvious physical process of surgery and any resulting side effects. Both the psychological and physical factors can have an impact on a man’s sexual function and abilities, including quality of orgasm,” said J. Brantley Thrasher, MD, spokesperson for the AUA.