Evaluation of sexual dysfunction and its associated risk factors in the male partners of the infertile couples using International Index of Erectile Function

OBJECTIVE: Sexual dysfunction is a major health concern in infertile men. This research aims to evaluate the sexual dysfunction and its associated risk factors in the male partners of infertile couples. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The cross-sectional study was performed on 204 male partners of infertile couples that were referred to Fatemeh Zahra Infertility & Reproductive Center, Babol, Iran, in 2015. Sexual dysfunction was evaluated using The International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF). Logistic and linear regression tests were used for statis¬tical analyses. Statistical significance was considered with a p value less than 0.05. RESULTS: The mean total IIEF score was 58.30±8.52. The lowest mean of IIEF domains was related to sexual desire and then orgasmic function in the male partners of the infertile couples. Erectile function contributed to the greatest amount of unique variance in the model for sexual function (p<0.001, R(2)=69.8%). The strongest correlation value was between the domains of overall satisfaction and intercourse satisfaction. There was a positive statistically significant association between sexual function with wife marital intimacy (p<0.002) and wife sexual function (p<0.001). There was a significant association between sexual dysfunction with job conditions (p<0.037, OR=0.094), and coitus count (p<0.009, OR=6.146). After adjusting for other variables, there was a significant association between sexual function and wife sexual function (p<0.005). Also, after adjusting for other variables, there was a significant association between sexual dysfunction and coitus count (p<0.004, OR=2.496), and job condition (p<0.046, OR=0.081). CONCLUSION: By considering sexual dysfunction and some related factors, early screening is required for distinguishing predictor factors of sexual dysfunction.