Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome-related pain symptoms and their impact on sexual functioning

The present study sought to examine a new model to evaluate the mechanistic pathways between pain and sexual dysfunction in men with chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS), incorporating cognitive and emotional factors.

Men with a self-reported diagnosis of CP/CPPS (n=94, 24-69 years, M_age=44.22, standard deviation 11.25) were recruited through social media, support groups, and urology clinics and completed an online questionnaire of demographic, pain, cognitive, psychological, and sexual variables. Descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and serial mediation analyses assessed variable associations.

Almost half of participants reported mild to severe erectile dysfunction (47.4%). Sexual dysfunction was associated with greater pain symptom severity and pain catastrophizing, as well as depressive symptoms (p<0.01 for all). While pain did not independently predict levels of sexual dysfunction, the addition of pain catastrophizing and depressive symptoms into the pathway explained the association between increased pain symptoms and decreased sexual functioning (p<0.01).

Beyond generally poor sexual functioning in the current sample, it appears as if cognitive and emotional factors play a role in the association between pain symptoms and sexual functioning in these men with CP/CPPS. The findings of how pain catastrophizing and depression impact the association of pain severity and decreased sexual functioning is important for improving patient care.