Meta-analysis of the efficacy of sexual intercourse for distal ureteric stones

OBJECTIVE: This meta-analysis was performed to evaluate the efficacy of sexual intercourse for treatment of distal ureteral stones. METHODS: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of sexual intercourse for treatment of distal ureteral stones were searched using PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register. RESULTS: Three RCTs comprising 240 patients were included in the meta-analysis, which showed that sexual intercourse was effective in treating distal ureteral stones. The expulsion rate of distal ureteral stones at the second week (odds ratio [OR] = 6.61, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.66 to 11.94), expulsion rate of distal ureteral stones at the fourth week (OR = 4.00, 95% CI: 2.09 to 7.64), and number of analgesic injections (mean difference [MD] = −0.79, 95% CI: −1.51 to −0.08) indicated that sexual intercourse was more effective than placebo. However, the mean expulsion time of distal ureteral stones (MD = −3.98, 95% CI: −8.77 to 0.81) showed no difference between sexual intercourse and placebo. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with placebo, sexual intercourse exhibited greater efficacy for the treatment of distal ureteral stones, whilst potentially alleviating pain.