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Testicular prostheses: body image and sexual functioning
Author(s) -
Luca Incrocci,
Slob
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
bju international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.773
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1464-410X
pISSN - 1464-4096
DOI - 10.1046/j.1464-410x.1999.00347.x
Subject(s) - medicine , scrotum , prosthesis , erectile dysfunction , premature ejaculation , sexual dysfunction , penis , surgery , psychology , psychoanalysis
Objectives To evaluate retrospectively the body image and sexual functioning in patients who have a testicular prosthesis (TP). Patients and methods The medical charts were evaluated for 30 adult patients who received 32 TPs between 1985 and 1997. A questionnaire was mailed to each patient, asking about body image, satisfaction with the implant and with sexual functioning. Results Of the 30 patients, 22 (73%) replied; their mean (range) age was 30 (18–47) years. Most of the patients had a silicone gel‐filled TP. No complications were reported in 25 (83%) patients and 80% reported no sexual problems; 20% felt uncomfortable in intimate contacts, 68% found their body image improved after having a TP, 58% were satisfied with their current sexual life, 90% had no erectile dysfunction and 45% reported premature ejaculation. Conclusions Patients who have lost a testis for any reason should be informed about the availability of a TP. Prostheses were well accepted and no systemic disease was reported. Almost all patients reported an improvement in their body image. Sexual life and performance were apparently not compromised by having a TP. New surgical procedures are recommended to improve the cosmetic appearance of a TP in the scrotum.