The effect of partial and total laryngectomy on couples’ sexual functions in men with larynx cancer

Purpose To investigate effect of total or partial laryngectomies with or without adjuvant treatments on couples’ sexual functions. Methods The study included 39 male patients with laryngeal cancer and their female partners who were sexually active. Twenty-six patients underwent total laryngectomy, and 13 had partial laryngectomy. Sexual functions were assessed with the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) questionnaire for erectile functions, the Male Sexual Health Questionnaire (MSHQ-4) for ejaculatory functions and the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) for female partners’ sexual functions. Results The mean IIEF score significantly decreased from 21.51 ± 8.78 to 16.13 ± 9.6 after the surgery ( p = 0.000). The mean MSHQ score significantly decreased from 12.95 ± 3.14 to 10.32 ± 4.59 after the surgery ( p = 0.000). To investigate risk factors that might predict decreasing in post-operative erectile and ejaculatory function of the male patients, presence of pre-operative erectile dysfunction ( p = 0.04) and additional treatment with chemo-radiation therapy were the predictors for decreases in erectile ( p = 0.006) and ejaculatory functions ( p = 0.036). The mean FSFI total score significantly decreased from 25.83 ± 7.42 to 13.45 ± 10.09 after the surgery ( p = 0.000). Conclusion Laryngectomies have negative impact on male erectile and ejaculatory functions, and also have negative effect on female partners’ sexual functions. Presence of pre-operative erectile dysfunction and additional chemo-radiation therapy were the predictors to decrease in erectile and ejaculatory functions after surgery. Therefore, male patients and their female partners should be informed in light of these findings before laryngeal surgery and adjuvant therapy.