Sexual intercourse following radical nerve-sparing prostatectomy. Discrepancies between patients and their female partners

Background. The aim of this study was to assess the frequency of sexual intercourse (SI) in couples whose men had undergone nerve-sparing radical prostatectomy. Method. From February 2007 to March 2008,25 patients and their partners were asked preoperatively and 6 and 12 months postoperatively about their real and desired frequency of SI and about their satisfaction with their sex lives. Results. When questioned 6 and 12 months postoperatively, patients reported higher frequencies of sexual intercourse than their female partners did (6 months: mean 4.9 vs 4.2 and 12 months: mean 4.1 vs 3.7). At both dates the frequency of SI desired by the men was on average 7.4 vs 5.5 and 5.1 by the female partners. The women appeared to be more satisfied with their sex lives than the patients (6 months: 71 vs 56% and 12 months: 67 vs 57%). Conclusion. Patients and their partners differ in their appraisals of sex life and SI. Therefore it is important to consider perceptions of both partners in preoperation discussions.