Thyroidectomy, especially total thyroidectomy, adversely affects erectile function in men

To evaluate the frequency of erectile dysfunction in male patients who undergo thyroidectomy using the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5), and explore possible risk factors.

163 male patients who undergo partial, unilateral or bilateral thyroidectomy between December 2021 and September 2022 were retrospectively studied. The IIEF-5 questionnaires were completed 6 and 12 months after surgery, and patients who reported erectile dysfunction (ED) before surgery were not included. Sociodemographic factors (age, education status, and employment status) and health behavior (smoking and alcohol consumption) were also recorded. The above factors and clinical data were included for statistical analysis.

Fifty-five patients underwent total thyroidectomy (TT), 67 underwent hemithyroidectomy (HT), and 41 underwent partial thyroidectomy (PT). Six months after surgery, 33 patients (60%) in the TT group, 38 (56.7%) patients in the HT group, and 11(26.8%) patients in the PT group reported ED. The lowest scores were observed in the TT group (TT: 19.22 ± 3.895, HT: 20.67 ± 2.836, PT: 21.98 ± 1.651, P < 0.05). At the 12-month postoperative visit, the mean IIEF-5 scores were better in the HT and PT groups and worse in the TT group (TT: 18.36 ± 4.335, HT: 21.40 ± 2.692, PT: 22.54 ± 1.206, P < 0.05). Binary logistic regression analysis revealed that age and extent of resection significantly affected the onset of postoperative ED.

Thyroidectomy, especially the total thyroidectomy, adversely affects erectile function. In addition to the operative procedure, age was also found to be significantly associated with postoperative ED.