Sex therapy and the penile prosthesis: a synthesis.

Although the availability of the penile prosthesis has changed the evaluation and treatment of erectile dysfunction, urologists and sex therapists have not combined their skills to develop comprehensive treatment plans. This paper describes one effort to use sex therapy techniques in evaluating and treating candidates for a penile prosthesis. The preoperative assessment focuses on multiaxial diagnosis of sexual problems in patient and partner and on the effects a prosthesis might have on their sexual and marital relationship. Men at high risk for a negative psychological reaction after surgery are offered presurgical sex therapy. Routine follow-up visits are scheduled for all patients during postoperative recovery and at 2-3 months postsurgery. If sexual dysfunction or dissatisfaction persists, sex therapy is again recommended. A case history exemplifies our methods, and the issue of financial costs of counseling vs. predicted benefits in terms of patient satisfaction is discussed.