Ejaculatory dysfunction following prostate artery embolization: A retrospective study utilizing the male sexual...

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Interventional Radiology
• Men's Health

Background:

• Prostate artery embolization (PAE) is a treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
• Sexual dysfunction, including ejaculatory dysfunction, is a potential complication of prostatic interventions.
• Understanding the incidence and risk factors for ejaculatory dysfunction after PAE is crucial for patient counseling and treatment planning.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the rate of ejaculatory dysfunction following PAE.
• To identify predictive factors associated with the development of ejaculatory dysfunction post-PAE.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective study involving 39 men who underwent PAE.
• Patients completed the Male Sexual Health Questionnaire-Ejaculation Dysfunction (MSHQ-EjD) short form post-treatment.
• Pre-treatment, procedural, and post-treatment variables were collected and analyzed.

Main Results:

• 10.3% of patients (4/39) developed ejaculatory dysfunction after PAE.
• No significant differences were observed in overall ejaculatory function or bother between pre- and post-treatment assessments when analyzed as a group.
• Higher post-void residual volume was significantly associated with the development of ejaculatory dysfunction (P=0.04).

Conclusions:

• PAE is associated with a 10.3% rate of ejaculatory dysfunction.
• Elevated post-void residual volume may be a predictive factor for ejaculatory dysfunction after PAE.
• The small sample size necessitates caution; prospective studies are recommended to confirm these findings.