Men at risk of sexual dysfunction if partner has FSD

A recent meta-analysis has found that men partnered with women who have female sexual dysfunction (FSD) often have sexual dysfunction themselves, too.

A review of Embase, PsycInfo, the Cochrane Library, and Medline returned 26 studies deemed eligible for inclusion. Only observational studies with a healthy male sample exposed to FSD through their partners were considered. Outcomes included male sexual dysfunction (MSD), including erectile dysfunction (ED) and premature ejaculation (PE), as well as marital satisfaction.

Five studies were included in the meta-analysis for overall MSD and together showed that exposure to FSD more than tripled the risk of MSD (odds ratio [OR], 3.011, 95 percent confidence interval [CI], 1.856–4.885; p<0.001).

ED was assessed in a total of 18 studies, of which 17 found a significant impact of FSD exposure. In particular, lowered female sexual desire, heightened pain, and impaired arousal, orgasm, and lubrication all contributed to ED. Pooled analysis of six eligible studies confirmed the effect of FSD, which increased the risk of ED by nearly four times (OR, 3.804, 95 percent CI, 1.962–7.376; p<0.001).

Nine studies looked at PE, eight of which found a link with FSD. Four studies were subjected to meta-analysis and likewise found a significant exacerbation of PE risk following FSD exposure (OR, 2.524, 95 percent CI, 1.060–6.006; p<0.036). However, the researchers pointed out that there remains little information regarding the specific FSD domains that potentially affect PE.

In addition, no clear impact of FSD was found on male sexual desire, orgasm, and avoidance. There were also no available studies examining the impact of FSD on quality of life.