TURP and sex: patient and partner prospective 12 years follow-up study

• To evaluate the effect of transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) on sexual function in the short (6 months), medium (6 years) and long (12 years) term and assess the conformity between patient and partner regarding sexual function.

• A prospective cohort study set at the Aberdeen Royal Infirmary University Hospital. • A total of 280 men referred with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) to a university hospital underwent TURP between January 1993 and September 1994; 145 of their partners (partner or spouse) participated. • Assessment included American Urological Association symptom score, flow rates and validated self-reported sexual questionnaires (SQ). • Data were collected at baseline, 3 months, 6 months, 6 years and 12 years of follow-up.

• In all, 120 (43%) men were sexually active preoperatively. At 6 months, 73 (61%) of these 120 men completed the SQ and all were sexually active. • No sexually active patient became impotent after the procedure. Moreover, 27 (15%) with pre-existing erectile dysfunction reported improved sexual activity and erection quality. • At 6 years 101 men completed the SQ and 31 (30.7%) were sexually active. At 12 years, 36 (31.9%) of 113 who completed the SQ were sexually active. • Partners agreed with the men's self assessment at all visits. • Limitations include possible attrition bias and lack of information from non-responders.

• Erectile dysfunction associated with LUTS frequently precedes TURP. • The TURP did not adversely affect sexual function. • Pre-operative erectile dysfunction can be improved by TURP and long-term sexual function is maintained after TURP. These findings, corroborated by the partners, were statistically significant.