(299) “EVERY WOMAN IS A WOMAN!” - QUALITATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE PERCEPTION OF HETEROSEXUAL WOMEN PARTNERS OF MEN WHO RECEIVED PENILE PROSTHESIS IMPLANTATION
Authors: Michels AC , Chiesa G Nascimento B , Kallak J , Sampaio J , Cardoso De Oliveira Júnior V , Romanos A , Furst Crenitte M 
Published: December 2024

Introduction

Despite being affected by their partner’s sexual dysfunction and being directly impacted by sexual function after penile prosthesis implantation, few studies seek to understand in detail the perception of partners regarding sexual intercourse permeated by male erectile dysfunction, how and if they participate in the decision-making process regarding the implantation of the penile prosthesis, and how sex is perceived after the procedure.

Objective

To thoroughly and conceptually assess the perception of partners of men who underwent penile prosthesis surgery, including involvement in decision-making, perception of the prosthesis itself, and perception of sexual quality.

Methods

This is a descriptive qualitative research project, conducted through the facilitation of a focus group composed of heterosexual partners of men (initial target: between 5 and 6) who underwent penile prosthesis implantation. The interview was guided by a semi-structured script with 8 stages, evaluating aspects of elderly women’s sexuality with the “guiding thread” being the process of surgical treatment of the partner’s erectile dysfunction. The audio of the meeting was recorded and later transcribed in full for analysis. Women partners of men who received penile prosthesis implantation, aged 60 or older, and who agreed to participate in the research after reading the Informed Consent Form were included. We followed the Consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research (COREQ) guidelines.

Results

Of the 5 women invited to the study, three attended the interview. The three interviewees, being elderly women (62, 68, and 73 years old), present striking traits related to the generational context in which they were born, with heterogeneity regarding the socio-economic context they occupy and religiosity. All of them faced the realization of their partners prosthesis implantation as something significant in their relationships. As marked differences, the participants ranged from a proactive stance of seeking solutions including the decision of the implant to an apparent disconnection and resentment with lack of intimacy and past extramarital relationships, with sex having a more reproductive or obligatory aspect. From a physical standpoint, topics such as the strangeness of a distinct temperature, flaccid glans, and reduction in penile size were consensual. After the prosthesis, reports vary from distancing to avoid further frustrations of the husband, perception of greater confidence from the partner to increased sexual activity without, however, altering the context of little sexual pleasure reported before the procedure.

Conclusions

Although with a limited number of participants, the qualitative analysis of detailed reports allowed us to capture the subjectivity of the participants. Overall, besides the physical impact of penile prostheses, individual perceptions of sexuality and pleasure, couple communication, and complex interpersonal relationships are involved in the sexual outcome of couples. Therefore, a holistic, sensitive, and personalized approach to the couple should be the goal in sexual health.

Disclosure

No.