Prevalence of Sexual Dysfunction with Chronic Prostatitis/Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome (CP/CPPS): An Updated...

Background and Objectives: Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) is a common condition linked to substantial urogenital symptoms, notably sexual dysfunction. This meta-analysis sought to determine the overall prevalence of sexual dysfunction in men with CP/CPPS, considering the four primary categories: desire, arousal, orgasm, and pain disorders. Materials and Methods: A systematic literature review, following MOOSE guidelines, was performed across four electronic databases (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Google Scholar) for the period from January 2000 to 2025. The review included observational studies reporting the prevalence of sexual dysfunction in men with CP/CPPS. Data extraction and quality assessment were conducted independently by two reviewers. A random-effects model was used to calculate the pooled prevalence estimates and 95% confidence intervals. Heterogeneity was evaluated using I², τ², and Chi-squared tests, while publication bias was assessed via funnel plot asymmetry and Egger's test. Results: The meta-analysis incorporated data from 26 studies, representing a total of 20,127 participants. The pooled prevalence of overall sexual dysfunction was 59% (95% CI: 34-81%; I² = 98%) across six studies and 5333 participants. Pooled erectile dysfunction (ED) prevalence was 34% (95% CI: 26-42%; I² = 99%) across 24 studies with 20,127 participants, whereas pooled prevalence for premature ejaculation (PE) was 35% (95% CI: 22-49%; I² = 98%) across 10 studies with 13,686 participants. Significant heterogeneity was observed across all analyses (I² > 98%). Funnel plot analysis suggested potential asymmetry, but Egger's test was non-significant (p = 0.7034). Conclusions: This meta-analysis confirms the high prevalence of sexual dysfunction, including ED and PE, in men with CP/CPPS, providing a comprehensive estimate of its burden. The substantial heterogeneity observed underscores the need for further research to identify contributing factors and develop targeted interventions.