ABSTRACT

The sexual activity of patients with cervical disc hernia (CDH) can be affected by pain or the use of analgesia. The aim of this study was to evaluate the sexual problems and sexual behavior of patients diagnosed with CDH.

The study included 30 patients, evaluated in respect of pain and sexual dysfunction with preoperative Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and Sexual Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ).

The mean age of patients was 44.0 ± 10.1 years and the duration of symptoms was determined as mean 26.93 years. A statistically significant difference was determined between patients aged >41 years and < 41 years in respect of the duration of pain (p <0 .05). The frequency of neck pain was statistically significantly different between males and females (p<0.05). It was reported by 65.5 % of patients that after the onset of neck pain, the frequency of sexual intercourse decreased. Impaired orgasm was reported in 51.7% of cases and in those who reported decreased sexual desire, this rate was 58.6%. Pain was reported during sexual intercourse by 65.6 % of patients. No change in sexual life was reported by 17.2 % of patients.

The results of this study showed that all stages of sexual life could be affected by CDH and thereby demonstrated a need for closer investigation of this complaint.