Hepatitis C Therapy May Affect Men’s Sex Lives Options

[Root Admin]

Hepatitis C Therapy May Affect Men’s Sex Lives

“All three components of sexual health - desire, function, and satisfaction - may be negatively impacted for men taking standard therapy for chronic hepatitis C, new research shows,” according to a Reuters Health report on ABC News on September 16..

“Men planning to receive peginterferon and ribavirin should be counseled about the possibility of a decline in sexual health during treatment and receive adequate support if these side effects occur,” according to Dr. Lorna M. Dove of New York Presbyterian Medical Center, lead author of a study on sexual side effects.

The subjects of the study were 260 men taking the combination treatment for chronic hepatitis C. Before initiating therapy, 37% reported “at least some degree” of sex drive impairment; 26% reported erectile dysfunction; 22% reported impairment in ejaculatory function; and 44% reported dissatisfaction with their sex life.

When therapy ended, at either 24 or 48 weeks, 38-48% of the men said their “overall sexual function was worse than before treatment.” Caucasian men reported more impairment than African American men.

“By 24 weeks after treatment, sexual desire and satisfaction improved and were comparable to baseline levels,” the authors wrote. “However, among men who received 48 weeks of therapy, the estimated percentage of men reporting post-treatment erectile or ejaculatory problems remained higher than baseline, although persistent erectile impairment was limited to Caucasian patients.”

“Sexual impairment is common among men with chronic hepatitis C undergoing therapy with pegylated interferon and ribarvirin and should be considered as a potential side effect of antiviral therapy,” the authors concluded.

The report, “Decline in Male Sexual Desire, Function and Satisfaction During and After Antiviral Therapy for Chronic Hepatitis C,” was published in Gastroenterology.