Male fertility restoration: in vivo and in vitro stem cell-based strategies using cryopreserved testis tissue: a scoping review.

IMPORTANCE: Advances in the treatment of childhood cancer have significantly improved survival rates, with more than 80% of survivors reaching adulthood. However, gonadotoxic cancer treatments endanger future fertility, and prepubertal males have no option to preserve fertility by sperm cryopreservation. In addition, boys with cryptorchidism are at risk of compromised fertility in adulthood. OBJECTIVE: To investigate current evidence for male fertility restoration strategies, explore barriers to clinical implementation, and outline potential steps to overcome these barriers, a scoping review was conducted. This knowledge synthesis is particularly relevant for prepubertal male cancer survivors and boys with cryptorchidism. EVIDENCE REVIEW: The review was conducted after the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews criteria and previously published guidelines and examined studies using human testis tissue of prepubertal boys or healthy male adults. A literature search in PubMed was conducted, and 72 relevant studies were identified, including in vivo and in vitro approaches. FINDINGS: In vivo strategies, such as testis tissue engraftment and spermatogonial stem cell transplantation, hold promise for promoting cell survival and differentiation. Yet, complete spermatogenesis has not been achieved. In vitro approaches focus on the generation of male germ cells from direct germ cell maturation in various culture systems, alongside human induced pluripotent stem cells and embryonic stem cells. These approaches mark significant advancements in understanding and promoting spermatogenesis, but achieving fully functional spermatozoa in vitro remains a challenge. Barriers to clinical implementation include the risk of reintroducing malignant cells and introduction of epigenetic changes. CONCLUSION: Male fertility restoration is an area in rapid development. On the basis of the reviewed studies, the most promising and advanced strategy for restoring male fertility using cryopreserved testis tissue is direct testis tissue transplantation. RELEVANCE: This review identifies persistent barriers to the clinical implementation of male fertility restoration. However, direct transplantation of frozen-thawed testis tissue remains a promising strategy that is on the verge of clinical application.

Short-Term Changes in Vasectomy Consults and Procedures Following Dobbs v Jackson Women's Health Organization.

INTRODUCTION: On June 24, 2022, the US Supreme Court issued its decision on Dobbs v Jackson Women's Health Organization (Dobbs). This decision had major implications on female reproductive choices, but also had potential implications on their male counterparts. We sought to determine the association of Dobbs with the number and characteristics of men seeking vasectomy. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed to determine the number of vasectomy consults and procedures completed at a single Michigan health system in the 6 months following Dobbs (June 24, 2022-December 24, 2022) vs the same 6-month time frame between 2019 and 2021. Another retrospective review was conducted in the 3 months following Dobbs (June 24, 2022-September 24, 2022) vs the same days in 2021 to determine the number of vasectomy consults completed and to evaluate for differences in the characteristics of these men. RESULTS: In the 6 months after Dobbs, there was a 150% and 160% increase in vasectomy consults and procedures completed, respectively, compared to a similar time frame in 2019 to 2021. In the 3 months after Dobbs, there was a 225% increase in new vasectomy consults compared to a similar time frame in 2021. There were no differences in the age, race, religion, median household income, or insurance type of men seeking vasectomy consult pre- vs post-Dobbs. Partnerless men (odds ratio 3.66) and those without children (odds ratio 2.85) were more likely than married men and those with 3 or more children, respectively, to seek vasectomy consult post-Dobbs. CONCLUSIONS: Dobbs was associated with a marked increase in vasectomy consultations and procedures at our institution in the state of Michigan. Future studies are needed to determine the long-term implications of Dobbs on vasectomy practices and determine if vasectomy practices differ by states and their respective abortion laws.

Results from the first autologous grafting of adult human testis tissue: a case report.

Fertility restoration using autologous testicular tissue transplantation is relevant for infertile men surviving from childhood cancer and, possibly, in men with absent or incomplete spermatogenesis resulting in the lack of spermatozoa in the ejaculate (non-obstructive azoospermia, NOA). Currently, testicular tissue from pre-pubertal boys extracted before treatment with gonadotoxic cancer therapy can be cryopreserved with good survival of spermatogonial stem cells. However, strategies for fertility restoration, after successful cancer treatment, are still experimental and no clinical methods have yet been developed. Similarly, no clinically available treatments can help men with NOA to become biological fathers after failed attempts of testicular surgical sperm retrieval. We present a case of a 31-year-old man with NOA who had three pieces of testis tissue (each ∼2 × 4 × 2 mm3) extracted and cryopreserved in relation to performing microdissection testicular sperm extraction (mTESE). Approximately 2 years after mTESE, the thawed tissue pieces were engrafted in surgically created pockets bilaterally under the scrotal skin. Follow-up was performed after 2, 4, and 6 months with assessment of reproductive hormones and ultrasound of the scrotum. After 6 months, all engrafted tissue was extracted and microscopically analyzed for the presence of spermatozoa. Furthermore, parts of the extracted tissue were analyzed histologically and by immunohistochemical analysis. Active blood flow in the engrafted tissue was demonstrated by doppler ultrasound after 6 months. No spermatozoa were found in the extracted tissue. Histological and immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated graft survival with intact clear tubules and normal cell organization. Sertoli cells and spermatocytes with normal morphology were located near the basement membrane. MAGE-A and VASA positive spermatogonia/spermatocytes were detected together with SOX9 positive Sertoli cells. Spermatocytes and/or Sertoli cells positive for γH2AX was also detected. In summary, following autologous grafting of frozen-thawed testis tissue under the scrotal skin in a man with NOA, we demonstrated graft survival after 6 months. No mature spermatozoa were detected; however, this is likely due to the pre-existing spermatogenic failure.

Potentially under-recognized late-stage physical and psychosexual complications of non-therapeutic neonatal penile circumcision: a qualitative and quantitative analysis of self-reports from an online community forum.

The removal of non-pathogenic foreskin from the penis of healthy neonates and infants for non-religious reasons is routinely practiced in many parts of the world. High level data from well-designed randomized controlled trials of circumcision in neonates and infants does not guide clinical practice. Reliable counts of immediate and short term circumcision complications are difficult to estimate. Emerging evidence suggests routine neonatal circumcision could lead to long term psychological, physical, and sexual complications in some men. The stigma associated with discussing circumcision complications creates a prevalence paradox where the presence of significant circumcision complications is higher than reported. Prior to the Internet, there were very few forums for men from diverse communities, who were troubled about their circumcision status, to discuss and compare stories. To investigate the long term consequences of circumcision, we reviewed 135 posts from 109 individual users participating in a circumcision grief subsection of Reddit, an internet discussion board. We identified three major categories of complications: physical such as pain during erections and lost sensitivity, psychological such as anxiety and violation of autonomy, and sexual such as feeling that the sexual experience was negatively altered or being unable to complete a sexual experience. We also identified a "discovery process" where some men described coming into awareness of their circumcision status. These findings suggest that neonatal circumcision can have significant adverse consequences for adult men. The removal of normal foreskin tissue should be limited to adult men who choose the procedure for cosmetic reasons or when medically indicated.

Sertoli and Germ Cells Within Atrophic Seminiferous Tubules of Men With Non-Obstructive Azoospermia.

Background: Infertile men with non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) have impaired spermatogenesis. Dilated and un-dilated atrophic seminiferous tubules are often present in the testes of these patients, with the highest likelihood of active spermatogenesis in the dilated tubules. Little is known about the un-dilated tubules, which in NOA patients constitute the majority. To advance therapeutic strategies for men with NOA who fail surgical sperm retrieval we aimed to characterize the spermatogonial stem cell microenvironment in atrophic un-dilated tubules. Methods: Testis biopsies approximately 3x3x3 mm3 were obtained from un-dilated areas from 34 patients. They were classified as hypospermatogenesis (HS) (n=5), maturation arrest (MA) (n=14), and Sertoli cell only (SCO) (n= 15). Testis samples from five fertile men were included as controls. Biopsies were used for histological analysis, RT-PCR analysis and immunofluorescence of germ and Sertoli cell markers. Results: Anti-Müllerian hormone mRNA and protein expression was increased in un-dilated tubules in all three NOA subtypes, compared to the control, showing an immature state of Sertoli cells (p<0.05). The GDNF mRNA expression was significantly increased in MA (P=0.0003). The BMP4 mRNA expression showed a significant increase in HS, MA, and SCO (P=0.02, P=0.0005, P=0.02, respectively). The thickness of the tubule wall was increased 2.2-fold in the SCO-NOA compared to the control (p<0.05). In germ cells, we found the DEAD-box helicase 4 (DDX4) and melanoma-associated antigen A4 (MAGE-A4) mRNA and protein expression reduced in NOA (MAGE-A: 46% decrease in HS, 53% decrease in MA, absent in SCO). In HS-NOA, the number of androgen receptor positive Sertoli cells was reduced 30% with a similar pattern in mRNA expression. The γH2AX expression was increased in SCO as compared to HS and MA. However, none of these differences reached statistical significance probably due to low number of samples. Conclusions: Sertoli cells were shown to be immature in un-dilated tubules of three NOA subtypes. The increased DNA damage in Sertoli cells and thicker tubule wall in SCO suggested a different mechanism for the absence of spermatogenesis from SCO to HS and MA. These results expand insight into the differences in un-dilated tubules from the different types of NOA patients.

Microdissection Testicular Sperm Extraction Versus Multiple Needle-pass Percutaneous Testicular Sperm Aspiration in Men with Nonobstructive Azoospermia: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: Surgical extraction of testicular spermatozoa is needed in men with nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA) who wish to become biological fathers. Based on available uncontrolled studies with unspecific patient selection, microdissection testicular sperm extraction (mTESE), having a sperm retrieval rate (SRR) of 50%, is considered the most efficient sperm retrieval procedure. However, no randomized clinical trials for comparison of different sperm retrieval procedures exist. Testicular sperm aspiration (TESA) is simple and commonly used, and we hypothesized that this technique using multiple needle passes would give similar SRRs to mTESE. OBJECTIVE: To compare mTESE and multiple needle-pass TESA in men with NOA. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: A randomized clinical trial was performed between June 2017 and April 2021, with inclusion of 100 men with NOA from four centers in Denmark and Sweden. All participants received treatment at the same institution. INTERVENTION: Participants were randomized to mTESE (n = 49) or multiple needle-pass TESA (n = 51). Patients with failed multiple needle-pass TESA proceeded directly to salvage mTESE. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: The primary outcome was SRR. Secondary outcomes included complications and changes in reproductive hormones after surgery. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: Spermatozoa were retrieved in 21/49 (43%) men after mTESE and in 11/51 (22%) men after multiple needle-pass TESA (rate difference -0.21; 95% confidence interval -0.39 to -0.03; p = 0.02). The combined SRR for multiple needle-pass TESA + salvage mTESE was 15/51 (29%). No complications occurred after multiple needle-pass TESA only, while 5/89 (6%) men having mTESE experienced a complication requiring surgical intervention. Overall, no statistically significant differences in reproductive hormones were observed between groups after 6 mo. Limitations include the low number of patients in secondary outcome data. CONCLUSIONS: In direct comparison, SRR was higher in mTESE than in multiple needle-pass TESA. PATIENT SUMMARY: Men with azoospermia need surgical extraction of spermatozoa to become biological fathers. In this randomized trial, we compared two surgeries (microdissection testicular sperm extraction [mTESE] and testicular sperm aspiration [TESA]) and found that mTESE gives a higher sperm retrieval rate than multiple needle-pass TESA.

Microfluidic Systems for Isolation of Spermatozoa from Testicular Specimens of Non-Obstructive Azoospermic Men: Does/Can It Improve Sperm Yield?

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) has allowed reproduction options through assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) for men with no spermatozoa within the ejaculate (azoospermia). In men with non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA), the options for spermatozoa retrieval are testicular sperm extraction (TESE), testicular sperm aspiration (TESA), or micro-surgical sperm extraction (microTESE). At the initial time of spermatozoa removal from the testis, spermatozoa are immobile. Independent of the means of spermatozoa retrieval, the subsequent steps of removing spermatozoa from seminiferous tubules, determining spermatozoa viability, identifying enough spermatozoa for oocyte injections, and isolating viable spermatozoa for injection are currently performed manually by laboratory microscopic dissection and collection. These laboratory techniques are highly labor-intensive, with yield unknown, have an unpredictable efficiency and/or success rate, and are subject to inter-laboratory personnel and intra-laboratory variability. Here, we consider the potential utility, benefits, and shortcomings of developing technologies such as motility induction/stimulants, microfluidics, dielectrophoresis, and cell sorting as andrological laboratory add-ons to reduce the technical burdens and variabilities in viable spermatozoa isolation from testicular samples in men with NOA.

Burnout Among Urologists from Denmark and Michigan.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence of burnout among Danish and American urologists. METHODS: An email invitation was sent with 2 reminders spaced by 14 days intervals to members of the Danish Urological Association and urologists at the University of Michigan to participate in a survey consisting of the 2 item Maslach Burnout Inventory. Burnout was defined as reporting "once a week," "a few times a week," or "everyday" on either the emotional exhaustion or depersonalization domains of the Maslach Burnout Inventory. Two open-ended questions were added to the survey for the Danish urologists, these were then qualitatively analyzed using thematic analysis. Categorial variables were compared using Chi square analysis. RESULTS: The response rate was 193 of 387 (49.9%) for the Danish urologists and 43 of 64 (67.1%) among American urologists. The prevalence of burnout for the American and Danish cohorts was identified in 4 (44.4%) of the American residents and 10 (32.3%) of the American attendings compared to 2 (3%) of Danish residents and 16 (12.7%) of Danish attendings. The difference in rate of burnout between Danish residents and attendings was statistically significant (P= .03). Burnout was statistically significantly different between American and Danish residents (P<.01) and attendings (P <.01). There was a statistically significant difference in rates of burnout between American and the Danish female urologists (P = .02) and similarly among male urologists (P <.01). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated low rates of burnout among Danish urologists and a significant difference in burnout between residents and attendings from Michigan compared to Danish residents and attendings.

Evaluation of a re-engineered device for penile vibratory stimulation in men with spinal cord injury.

STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the performance of a re-engineered device (Ferticare 2.0), which is replacing the previous standard (Ferticare 1.0) for penile vibratory stimulation in men with spinal cord injury. Most men with spinal cord injury are anejaculatory, requiring medical assistance to obtain their semen. Penile vibratory stimulation is generally recognized as the standard of care for semen retrieval in these anejaculatory men. SETTING: Major Research University in Miami, Florida, USA. METHODS: The Ferticare 2.0 device was applied to 15 men with spinal cord injury in a three-step protocol simulating normal use. Step 1: one device (2.5 mm amplitude, 100 Hz) was applied to the glans penis for 2 min. Step 2: If no ejaculation occurred, the amplitude was increased to 4.0 mm (100 Hz) and the device similarly applied. Step 3: If no ejaculation occurred, two devices, each 2.5 mm and 100 Hz were applied to the dorsum and frenulum of the glans penis. Participants at risk for autonomic dysreflexia were pretreated with sublingual nifedipine (20 mg), 15 min prior to stimulation. Blood pressure and other symptoms of autonomic dysreflexia were monitored. Participants answered a questionnaire about their experience with the device. RESULTS: Thirteen of 15 participants ejaculated with the device. No adverse events occurred. All participants commented they would recommend the device to other men with spinal cord injury. CONCLUSIONS: A re-engineered device, the Ferticare 2.0, is safe and effective for inducing ejaculation in men with spinal cord injury.

Patient-reported outcomes from a single-centre prospective post-marketing study on Collagenase Clostridium Histolyticum injections for Peyronie's disease.

The aim of this study was to evaluate patient-reported outcomes of Collagenase Clostridium Histolyticum (CCHi) for Peyronie's Disease. Patients treated with 2-4 cycles of CCHi between 01/2016 and 08/2018 were asked to fill out the "bother domain" of the Peyronie's Disease Questionnaire (PDQ) at scheduled appointments for injections. CCHi cycles involved two injections (0.58 mg) separated by 48-72 hr. During the study, 34 patients were treated, seven patients were excluded due to incomplete baseline values. Mean (standard deviation) PDQ bother domain baseline score was 11.1 (2.6). ANOVA demonstrated statistically significant effects of injections (p < .001) with a decrease in PDQ bother domain scores 6 weeks after the 1st cycle (9.9 [3.3], p = .013), 6 weeks after the 2nd cycle (8.2 [4.0], p = .009) and 6 weeks after the 3rd cycle (6.5 [3.6], p < .001). After 2-4 cycles of CCHi treatment, patients reported changes in penile curvature as "Worse" (0), "No Change" (2), "Little decrease" (10), Decrease (10) and "Significant decrease" (4). After completion of CCHi treatment, 82% of patients still reported that vaginal intercourse was difficult or impossible. Patients with Peyronie's Disease undergoing CCHi treatment reported statistically significant decreases in PDQ bother domain scores. However, most patients still report difficulty with intercourse after treatment.

The Impact of Testicular Torsion on Testicular Function.

Torsion of the spermatic cord is a urological emergency that must be treated with acute surgery. Possible long-term effects of torsion on testicular function are controversial. This review aims to address the impact of testicular torsion (TT) on the endocrine- and exocrine-function of the testis, including possible negative effects of torsion on the function of the contralateral testis. Testis tissue survival after TT is dependent on the degree and duration of TT. TT has been demonstrated to cause long-term decrease in sperm motility and reduce overall sperm counts. Reduced semen quality might be caused by ischemic damage and reperfusion injury. In contrast, most studies find endocrine parameters to be unaffected after torsion, although few report minor alterations in levels of gonadotropins and testosterone. Contralateral damage after unilateral TT has been suggested by histological abnormalities in the contralateral testis after orchiectomy of the torsed testis. The evidence is, however, limited as most human studies are small case-series. Theories as to what causes contralateral damage mainly derive from animal studies making it difficult to interpret the results in a human context. Large long-term follow-up studies are needed to clearly uncover changes in testicular function after TT and to determine the clinical impact of such changes.

Scheduling Appointments for Postvasectomy Semen Analysis Has No Impact on Compliance.

BACKGROUND: A postvasectomy semen analysis (PVSA) is recommended 8-16 wk after vasectomy to ensure azoospermia. Patient compliance with submitting a semen sample for PVSA has historically been low. To increase patient compliance, a policy change was made to schedule patients for PVSA appointments instead of a previous "drop-in" option. OBJECTIVE: To compare patient compliance for PVSA when scheduling appointments as opposed to a "drop-in" appointment 8-16 wk after the procedure. DESIGN SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Ethical approval was obtained to retrospectively evaluate patients undergoing vasectomy. A total of 400 patients were evaluated, 200 consecutive patients before and 200 after the policy change. Patients were excluded from analysis if they had other surgeries at the same time of vasectomy or if the vasectomy was a repeat procedure. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Percent of patients attending PVSA and time to PVSA were assessed. Nominal data were compared using chi-square analysis and interval data were compared using Student unpaired t test. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: Thirteen patients were excluded from analysis: six before and seven after the policy change. Compliance rates were similar before and after the policy change (144/194 [74%] and 154/193 [80%], p = 0.19). There was no difference in the time from vasectomy to PVSA between groups (before: mean [standard deviation] 69 [55] d vs after: 74 (63) d, p = 0.44). This study is limited by its retrospective design. CONCLUSIONS: Scheduling appointments for PVSA has no impact on compliance rates or the time between vasectomy and semen analysis when compared with "drop-in" appointments. PATIENT SUMMARY: Sterility after a vasectomy is guaranteed by delivering a semen sample. Many men do not deliver this sample, and sterility cannot be guaranteed. This study found that scheduling appointments did not increase the number of men who delivered a semen sample compared with "drop-in" appointments.

Successful extraction of sperm cells after autologous bone marrow transplant: a case report.

We present a case where microdissection testicular sperm extraction (m.T.E.S.E.) was used in a 36-year-old man after non-Hodgkin T-cell lymphoma treated with 2.5 years of chemotherapy, radiation therapy and autologous bone marrow transplantation (B.M.T.). During m.T.E.S.E. two areas of testis tissue with dilated seminiferous tubules were found both containing several sperm cells. These were cryopreserved and subsequently used for intracytoplasmic sperm injection, resulting in a pregnancy. Although the prognosis for sperm retrieval appears to be poor in most men who have undergone B.M.T., our case demonstrates that this is not an absolute conclusion.

Masculinizing Genital Gender Confirmation Surgery.

INTRODUCTION: This article is the third in a 3-part series focused on the comprehensive treatment of gender dysphoria. Multidisciplinary gender dysphoria care may involve a combination of counseling, social gender transition, hormone therapy, and gender confirmation surgery (GCS) to maximize physical characteristics congruent with a patient's gender identity. Nonoperative management of gender dysphoria was covered in part 1. The focus of part 2 was feminizing GCS. In part 3, surgical considerations for masculinizing GCS are summarized, including a review of different phalloplasty techniques. This installment also includes information about adjunctive procedures, therapies, and products used by transgender men and women to express their gender identity. AIM: To provide an overview of both genital and nongenital masculinizing gender confirmation procedures. To review phalloplasty techniques, preoperative considerations, complications, and outcomes. To summarize ancillary services and procedures available to transgender patients to facilitate their gender presentation. METHODS: A review of relevant literature through May 2017 was performed via PubMed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: To summarize ancillary products and services used by transgender patients and to review surgical considerations for masculinizing genitoplasty. RESULTS: A variety of nonsurgical ancillary services exist for transgender patients to aid their transition. A variety of phalloplasty procedures have been developed for transgender men who seek genital GCS. Most surgeons prefer radial forearm phalloplasty, including the authors whose surgical technique is described. Each phalloplasty approach is associated with its own benefits, drawbacks, and complications. CONCLUSION: A variety of ancillary services and procedures that help transgender men and women communicate their gender identity in society is available and is an important adjunct to medical or surgical treatment of gender dysphoria. Pre-operative, intra-operative, and post-operative considerations of masculinizing genital gender confirmation procedures were reviewed. Hadj-Moussa M, Agarwal S, Ohl DA, et al. Masculinizing Genital Gender Confirmation Surgery. Sex Med Rev 2019;7:141-155.

Evaluation and Treatment of Gender Dysphoria to Prepare for Gender Confirmation Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Gender dysphoria is the experience of marked distress due to incongruence between genetically determined gender and experienced gender. Treatment of gender dysphoria should be individualized and multidisciplinary, involving a combination of psychotherapy, social gender transition, cross-sex hormone therapy, gender-affirming surgery, and/or ancillary procedures and services. The goal of all treatment modalities is to alleviate distress and affirm the patient's experienced gender identity. This article is the first in a 3-part series focused on the diagnostic assessment and non-operative treatment of gender dysphoria. Parts 2 and 3 focus on operative aspects of gender dysphoria treatment. AIM: To summarize the recommendations of the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) and the Endocrine Society (ES), as well as review published literature regarding the non-operative treatment of gender dysphoria. METHODS: A review of relevant literature through January 2017 was performed via PubMed. OUTCOMES: WPATH guidelines regarding diagnosis and non-surgical treatment of gender dysphoria, specifically regimens and risks of cross-sex hormone therapy were reviewed. RESULTS: Few physicians have experience with the diagnosis or treatment of gender dysphoria, although the number of patients seeking treatment has risen substantially in recent years. As a result, clinicians have turned to published recommendations from WPATH and ES, both of which promote high-quality, evidence-based care for patients with gender dysphoria. Successful treatment requires an individualized multidisciplinary approach. Non-operative treatment is both safe and effective for the majority of patients with gender dysphoria. CONCLUSIONS: Guidelines from WPATH and ES, along with published literature pertaining to the diagnosis and non-operative treatment of gender dysphoria, were reviewed and summarized. Hadj-Moussa M, Ohl DA, Kuzon WM. Evaluation and Treatment of Gender Dysphoria to Prepare for Gender Confirmation Surgery. Sex Med Rev 2018;6:607-617.

Management of Erectile Dysfunction and Infertility in the Male Spinal Cord Injury Patient.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Men with spinal cord injury (SCI) commonly suffer from erectile dysfunction and ejaculatory dysfunction. The literature regarding the causes and treatment of these two important problems was reviewed. RECENT FINDINGS: Many of the erectile dysfunction treatments applied to able bodied individuals are also useful in the SCI population, although there are differences in the goals and results of treatment. Ejaculatory dysfunction can be treated with either penile vibratory stimulation or electroejaculation with high success rates. Pregnancies are possible, but poor quality sperm quality in male SCI patients leads to pregnancy rates lower than is observed in the able-bodied population. Although effective treatments are available for erectile and ejaculatory dysfunction in men with SCIs, many challenges remain in optimizing the treatment of these individuals.

Feminizing Genital Gender-Confirmation Surgery.

INTRODUCTION: For many patients with gender dysphoria, gender-confirmation surgery (GCS) helps align their physical characteristics with their gender identity and is a fundamental element of comprehensive treatment. This article is the 2nd in a 3-part series about the treatment of gender dysphoria. Non-operative management was covered in part 1. This section begins broadly by reviewing surgical eligibility criteria, benefits of GCS, and factors associated with regret for transgender men and women. Then, the scope narrows to focus on aspects of feminizing genital GCS, including a discussion of vaginoplasty techniques, complications, and sexual function outcomes. Part 3 features operative considerations for masculinizing genital GCS. AIM: To summarize the World Professional Association for Transgender Health's (WPATH) surgical eligibility criteria and describe how patients with gender dysphoria benefit from GCS, provide an overview of genital and non-genital feminizing gender-confirmation procedures, and review vaginoplasty techniques, preoperative considerations, complications, and outcomes. METHODS: A review of relevant literature through April 2017 was performed using PubMed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Review of literature related to surgical eligibility criteria for GCS, benefits of GCS, and surgical considerations for feminizing genitoplasty. RESULTS: Most transgender men and women who satisfy WPATH eligibility criteria experience improved quality of life, overall happiness, and sexual function after GCS; regret is rare. Penile inversion vaginoplasty is the preferred technique for feminizing genital GCS according to most surgeons, including the authors whose surgical technique is described. Intestinal vaginoplasty is reserved for certain scenarios. After vaginoplasty most patients report overall high satisfaction with their sexual function even when complications occur, because most are minor and easily treatable. CONCLUSION: GCS alleviates gender dysphoria for appropriately selected transgender men and women. Preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative considerations of feminizing genital gender-confirmation procedures were reviewed. Hadj-Moussa M, Ohl DA, Kuzon WM. Feminizing Genital Gender-Confirmation Surgery. Sex Med Rev 2018;6:457-468.