Rosebud O Roberts, MD MS¹, Debra J Jacobson, MS², Cynthia J. Girman, DrPH³, Thomas Rhodes, MSPH³, Michael M. Lieber, MD⁴, and Steven J. Jacobsen, MD, PhD¹. (1) Department of Health Sciences Research, Division of Epidemiology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, 200 First Street S.W., Rochester, MN 55905, 507 284 5656, roberts.rosebud@mayo.edu, (2) Department of Health Sciences Research, Division of Biostatistics, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, 200 First Street S.W., Rochester, MN 55905, (3) Merck Research Labs, P.O. Box 4, West Point, PA 19486-004, (4) Department of Urology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, 200 First Street S.W., Rochester, MN 55905

Objective: Increasing age has been associated with declining male sexual function. This decline may be associated with urogenital pain. These associations were examined in an older cohort of community dwelling men. Methods: In 2000, 1062 Caucasian men from Olmsted County, MN (median age 60 years) completed a previously validated questionnaire that queried the intensity of urogenital pain (ejaculatory, penile, suprapubic, testicular pain and pain on urination) on a scale from 0 to 10. Sexual function was evaluated from 5 domains: sexual drive, erectile function, ejaculatory function, assessment of sexual problems, and overall sexual satisfaction. Results: Pain intensity was not correlated (Spearman correlation coefficient r_s) with age, but was significantly correlated (p<0.05) with sex drive (-0.08), erectile function (-0.09), ejaculatory function (-0.12), problem assessment (-0.12), and overall satisfaction (-0.11). Age was significantly correlated with sexual function domains (r_s from -0.2 to -0.5, all p<0.01). A pain score ³4 (8th percentile) was significantly associated (Odds Ratio, 95% Confidence Interval) with low sex drive (1.7, [1.1, 2.8]), and the point estimates were elevated for associations with ejaculatory function (1.5, [0.9, 2.4]), erectile function (1.4, [0.9, 2.3]), problem assessment (1.5, [0.9, 2.4]), and sexual satisfaction (1.2, [0.8, 2.0]), but the confidence intervals included 1. After age-adjustment the magnitude of the associations increased slightly (1.9, 1.6, 1.5, 1.6, 1.3, respectively). Conclusions: These cross-sectional findings suggest that in addition to age, urogenital pain in older men may have an effect on sexual function. Further, urogenital pain may have a greater effect on libido (sexual drive) than on erectile function or sexual satisfaction.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will learn that

• Increasing age is negatively correlated with the 5 previously validated domains of sexual function.
• Besides increasing age, urogenital pain may have an influence on sexual function in older men.
• The effect of urogenital pain on libido may be greater than the effects on actual sexual function or on overall sexual satisfaction.

Keywords: Adult Health, Sexuality

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.