Thematic analysis of the psycho-sexual symptoms in patients with Peyronie's disease present on online forums.

Peyronie's disease (PD) is a fibrotic disorder of the tunica albuginea that may result in penile deformity, pain, a palpable plaque, and erectile dysfunction. In order to understand the psycho-sexual impacts of PD on patients and their partners, we selected three online forums containing the largest number of threads on PD. Threads focusing on the psycho-sexual impacts posted from January 1, 2011 to January 1, 2021 were compiled, and thematic analysis was performed on Dedoose. There were 277 unique posters, including 225 patients and 52 partners. Eighty-four categories and five themes were developed including information and social support, physical symptoms, psycho-sexual symptoms, treatment and effect, and impacts on partners and relationship. Emotional distress including depressed mood (n = 75, 33.3%) and feelings of isolation (n = 41, 18.2%) was prevalent. Partners developed sexual dysfunction including sexual dissatisfaction (n = 11, 21.2%) and dyspareunia (n = 4, 7.7%). Relationships experienced disruption (n = 14, 5.1%) or termination (n = 10, 3.6%). Posters received psychological treatment including psychotherapy (n = 20, 8.9%) and antidepressants (n = 17, 7.6%). Of these, 12 reported improvement and 11 stated no improvement. On these forums, psychological burden affecting individuals with PD and their partners is reported. Few seek help from a psychologist or therapist, and psychological distress may persist even after successful PD treatment. Further research is needed to identify strategies for effective psychological management.

Risk Factors for Sexual Pain Among Physically Active Women.

INTRODUCTION: Sexual pain is common among women but little is known about associations with exercise and physical activity. AIM: To determine the prevalence of sexual pain among physically active women and to evaluate cycling and other potential risk factors. METHODS: This is a secondary data analysis of a study on the urinary and sexual wellness of physically active women recruited through sporting clubs and targeted social media advertising. We used multivariable logistic regression to assess the role of cycling and exercise in reporting any, frequent, or severe sexual pain, controlling for demographic, relationship, and health risk factors. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Sexual pain, including frequency and severity, was measured using the Female Sexual Function Index. RESULTS: A total of 2,039 women were included, with 1,097 (54%) reporting any level of sexual pain, 364 (18%) experiencing frequent pain, and 378 (19%) reporting severe pain. Less than 5% of women reported diabetes or hypertension, and the cohort had a median body mass index of 23.3 (interquartile range 21.4-25.7). Increasing age and body mass index were protective against any sexual pain, as was cycling (odds ratio [OR] 0.73 [95% CI 0.59-0.90]). Participants who reported being "moderately satisfied" (OR 0.53 [95% CI 0.31-0.91]) or "very satisfied" (OR 0.33 [95% CI 0.19-0.56]) with their emotional closeness to a sexual partner had decreased odds of any sexual pain. CONCLUSION: Experiencing any sexual pain is common in physically active women, with a prevalence of over 50%; however, weekly energy expenditure from exercise was not associated with sexual pain. Cycling participation and higher levels of emotional closeness and intimacy were associated with less pain. Patients between the ages of 18 and 30 years who were normal or underweight incurred the highest risk of sexual pain. Fergus KB, Cohen AJ, Cedars BE, et al. Risk Factors for Sexual Pain Among Physically Active Women. Sex Med 2020;8:501-509.

Qualitative Analysis of the Content Found in Online Discussion Boards for Urethral Stricture Disease and Urethroplasty.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the patient experience and chief concerns with urethroplasty to improve physician understanding and patient education. Online discussion boards allow patients with urethral stricture disease (USD) to connect with other USD patients. It is unknown how men use these web resources and what information is available about urethroplasty. METHODS: Three online forums featuring urethroplasty were identified by Google search. Thematic analysis categorized the content of posts using manually applied codes, with inter-rater reliability and descriptive statistics generated by Dedoose (Los Angeles, CA). RESULTS: A total of 140 unique posters contributed 553 posts to the forums. Posts were categorized as information support (n = 651), issues posturethroplasty (n = 470), own experience preurethroplasty (n = 336), feelings towards other posters (n = 312), what to expect posturethroplasty (n = 265), feelings after urethroplasty (n = 228), and considerations before urethroplasty (n = 134). Experience navigating the healthcare system with USD (n = 141) and weak urine stream (n = 70) were the most frequent preurethroplasty complaints. Postoperative pain (n = 164) was the most frequent issue. Patients expressed more positivity (n = 126) and satisfaction (n = 120) than negativity (n = 33) with urethroplasty. CONCLUSION: Patients participated in online discussions to share experiences with USD and urethroplasty, receive emotional support, and find answers. Men were more often satisfied than not with their urethroplasty outcomes, with 88% of postoperative feelings coded as positive or satisfied compared to negative. This study provides physicians with insight into the experiences of patients and how to best educate them.

Stability of a 17-Gene Genomic Prostate Score in Serial Testing of Men on Active Surveillance for Early Stage Prostate Cancer.

PURPOSE: Genomic testing may improve risk stratification in men with prostate cancer managed by active surveillance. We aimed to characterize the stability and usefulness of serial genomic test scores in men undergoing serial biopsies during active surveillance. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We compiled clinical and disease characteristics of men on active surveillance using an institutional Urologic Outcomes Database. We included patients initially diagnosed with Gleason 3 + 3 prostate cancer who elected active surveillance and received 2, 17-gene GPS (Genomic Prostate Score) results. We examined the association of GPS results and Gleason grade reclassification (Gleason 3 + 4 or greater) with definitive treatment using multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression models. RESULTS: We identified 111 men who underwent serial genomic testing. There were 49 grade reclassification events (44%) at a median followup of 64 months. The mean ± SD GPS change between the first and second biopsies was 2.1 ± 10.3. The GPS at first biopsy (per 5 units HR 1.04, 95% CI 1.00-1.07, p=0.03) was associated with an upgrade at second biopsy, although the second GPS was not (HR 1.02, 95% CI 0.99-1.05, p=0.13). The first and second GPSs (HR 1.09, 95% CI 1.04-1.14 and HR 1.09, 95% CI 1.04-1.14, each p <0.01) were associated with active treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The GPS undergoes small changes with time. Absolute GPS results at the first and second biopsies were associated with Gleason upgrading and transition from active surveillance to active treatment.

The association of bicycle-related genital numbness and Sexual Health Inventory for Men (SHIM) score: results from a large, multinational, cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the association of genital numbness and erectile dysfunction in male cyclists. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Cyclists were recruited through Facebook advertisements and outreach to sporting clubs. This is a secondary analysis of a larger epidemiological population-based study that examined sexual and urinary wellness in athletes. We queried cycling habits and erectile function using Sexual Health Inventory for Men (SHIM). RESULTS: A total of 2 774 male cyclists were included in the analysis. Amongst cyclists, there was a statistically significant increase in the trend of genital numbness presence with more years of cycling (P = 0.002), more frequent weekly cycling (P < 0.001), and longer cycling distance at each ride (P < 0.001). Less frequent use of padded shorts (odds ratio [OR] 0.14, P < 0.001) and lower handlebar (OR 0.49, P < 0.001) were associated with numbness, but body mass index (BMI) (OR 1.1, P = 0.33) and age (OR 1.2, P = 0.15) were not. In a multivariate logistic regression model, after adjusting for age, BMI, and lifetime miles (calculated by average daily cycling mileage × cycling days/week × cycling years.), there were no statistically significant differences in mean SHIM score between cyclists with and cyclists without numbness (20.3 vs 20.2, P = 0.83). However, interestingly, the subset of cyclists who reported numbness in the buttock reported statistically significantly worse SHIM scores (20.3 vs 18.4, P < 0.001). This association was not present in cyclists who reported numbness in the scrotum, penis, or perineum and remained significant after adjusting for overall biking intensity. CONCLUSION: Cyclists report genital numbness in proportion with biking intensity but numbness is not associated with worse sexual function in this cohort.