Male Circumcision Due to Phimosis as the Procedure That Is Not Only Relieving Clinical Symptoms of Phimosis But Also Improves the Quality of Sexual Life

Mateusz Czajkowski; Katarzyna Czajkowska; Karolina Zarańska; Alicja Giemza; Jakub Kłącz; Małgorzata Sokołowska-Wojdyło; Marcin Matuszewski

doi:10.1016/j.esxm.2020.100315

Male Circumcision Due to Phimosis as the Procedure That Is Not Only Relieving Clinical Symptoms of Phimosis But Also Improves the Quality of Sexual Life

Sex Med. 2021 Apr;9(2):100315. doi: 10.1016/j.esxm.2020.100315. Epub 2021 Feb 2.

Authors

Mateusz Czajkowski¹, Katarzyna Czajkowska², Karolina Zarańska³, Alicja Giemza³, Jakub Kłącz⁴, Małgorzata Sokołowska-Wojdyło², Marcin Matuszewski⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Urology, Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland. Electronic address: drmatczajkowski@gmail.com.
² Department of Dermatology, Venerology and Allergology, Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland.
³ Student Research Group at the Department of Urology, Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland.
⁴ Department of Urology, Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland.

Abstract

Introduction: Male circumcision is recognized as the most effective method of phimosis treatment. Analyzing the literature, the information about the influence of male circumcision due to phimosis for patients' subjective symptoms such as itching, burning, penile pain, pain during intercourse, and quality of sexual life is insufficient.

Aim: To investigate the effect of male circumcision due to phimosis to patients' subjective symptoms, including erectile function and satisfaction with their genitals.

Methods: The single-center prospective study began in January 2018 and ended in January 2020. Sixty-nine male, adult patients, who were qualified for circumcision due to phimosis, were included in the study.

Main outcomes measures: The study outcomes were obtained using questionnaires such as visual analog scale 0-10 for itching, burning, penile pain, and penile pain during intercourse; International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) and Male Genital Self Image Scale 7 (MGSIS-7) to assess the changes in patients sexual functioning.

Results: Before the circumcision of the 69 patients included in the study, 59 patients (86%) reported some subjective symptoms of phimosis. The most frequent and most severe complaint was pain during intercourse, then itching and burning of the penis. Penile pain at rest was the least frequent. After 3 months from circumcision, subjective symptoms almost completely disappeared. All of 69 patients declared to have a sexual partner. 3 months after circumcision, all patients achieved significant improvement in both obtaining and maintaining an erection based on IIEF-5 score. Their sexual intercourse was more satisfying for them. All patients suffering from phimosis were embarrassed about their genitals before surgery. 3 months after circumcision, satisfaction with genital self-image increased significantly.

Conclusion: Male circumcision due to phimosis is not only relieving the clinical symptoms of phimosis, but it also improves the quality of sexual life. Czajkowski M, Czajkowska K, Zarańska K, et al. Male Circumcision Due to Phimosis as the Procedure That Is Not Only Relieving Clinical Symptoms of Phimosis But Also Improves the Quality of Sexual Life. Sex Med 2021;9:100315.

Keywords: Erectile Dysfunction; Male Circumcision; Phimosis; Sexual Activity.