Giulia Rastrelli1, Sarah Cipriani1, Andrea Craparo2,3, Sara De Vincentis2,3, Antonio R M Granata3, Giorgia Spaggiari3, Manuela Simoni2,3, Mario Maggi1, Daniele Santi2,3. 1. Sexual Medicine and Andrology Unit, Department of Experimental Clinical and Biomedical Sciences 'Mario Serio', University of Florence, Florence, Italy. 2. Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy. 3. Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Medical Specialties, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria of Modena, Modena, Italy.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Despite the well-known influence of psychological and situational factors on erectile dysfunction, the influence of the physician's gender on the andrological workup has never been investigated so far. OBJECTIVES: To investigate physician's gender influence on the erectile dysfunction diagnostic workup. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cross-sectional study with retrospective data collection. We evaluate a consecutive series of erectile dysfunction patients: 95 at the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia (UNIMORE) and 1808 at the University of Florence (UNIFI). In the UNIMORE cohort (Cohort 1), intracavernousal injection test was performed in case of suspected vascular pathogenic component. In the UNIFI cohort (Cohort 2), patients were evaluated by structured interview on erectile dysfunction and ANDROTEST. Both cohorts were divided into two groups according to the gender of the physician who performed the intracavernousal injection test or the structured interview. RESULTS: In Cohort 1, patients who had the intracavernousal injection test performed by a female physician had a significantly higher probability of obtaining a better intracavernousal injection test response. In Cohort 2, patients interviewed by female physician more frequently reported to have a conflictual couple relationship and a reduced frequency of climax in their partners. However, they reported less difficulties in achieving and maintaining erection, higher frequency of autoeroticism, lower occurrence of erectile dysfunction during masturbation and lower impairment in morning erections. CONCLUSIONS: Physician's gender affects the results obtained during the erectile dysfunction diagnostic workup. Men interviewed by a female physician describe a less severe erectile dysfunction probably as attempt to defend their own virility. On the other hand, the presence of a male physician during intracavernousal injection test is associated to a worse response suggesting a possible unconscious competition.
BACKGROUND: Despite the well-known influence of psychological and situational factors on erectile dysfunction, the influence of the physician's gender on the andrological workup has never been investigated so far. OBJECTIVES: To investigate physician's gender influence on the erectile dysfunction diagnostic workup. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cross-sectional study with retrospective data collection. We evaluate a consecutive series of erectile dysfunctionpatients: 95 at the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia (UNIMORE) and 1808 at the University of Florence (UNIFI). In the UNIMORE cohort (Cohort 1), intracavernousal injection test was performed in case of suspected vascular pathogenic component. In the UNIFI cohort (Cohort 2), patients were evaluated by structured interview on erectile dysfunction and ANDROTEST. Both cohorts were divided into two groups according to the gender of the physician who performed the intracavernousal injection test or the structured interview. RESULTS: In Cohort 1, patients who had the intracavernousal injection test performed by a female physician had a significantly higher probability of obtaining a better intracavernousal injection test response. In Cohort 2, patients interviewed by female physician more frequently reported to have a conflictual couple relationship and a reduced frequency of climax in their partners. However, they reported less difficulties in achieving and maintaining erection, higher frequency of autoeroticism, lower occurrence of erectile dysfunction during masturbation and lower impairment in morning erections. CONCLUSIONS: Physician's gender affects the results obtained during the erectile dysfunction diagnostic workup. Men interviewed by a female physician describe a less severe erectile dysfunction probably as attempt to defend their own virility. On the other hand, the presence of a male physician during intracavernousal injection test is associated to a worse response suggesting a possible unconscious competition.
Authors: Marieke Dewitte; Carlo Bettocchi; Joanna Carvalho; Giovanni Corona; Ida Flink; Erika Limoncin; Patricia Pascoal; Yacov Reisman; Jacques Van Lankveld Journal: Sex Med Date: 2021-10-07 Impact factor: 2.491