The Effect of Genital Warts on Men’s Depression and Sexual Functions

Abstract

Objective: This study was designed to observe how the depressive state due to human papilloma virus infection affects sexual functions in sexually active men. Material and Methods: Between 2020-2022, 77 primary male patients who applied to the XXX Hospital and diagnosed with genital warts (GW) by physical examination were included in the study. The patients were divided into two groups according to the number and the size of the warts (small size vs. larger size). The patients were asked to fill out the Hospital Anxiety Depression (HAD) scale and International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) forms. The data of the two groups were compared and analyzed. Results: The mean age was 39.7±10.3, BMI kg/m2 27.0±7.2. Patients divided into 2 groups in terms of wart sizes showed normal distribution. The HAD scale part was found to be abnormal in 13% of patients in small wart size group and 52.5% of 21 patients in larger wart size group (p<0.0001). According to the evaluation of the IIEF-5 scale, it was observed that 13.5% of 5 patients in small size group and 47.5% of 19 patients in larger size group had severe sexual functions (p<0.0001). No significant difference was observed between the 2 groups with chronic diseases (p=0.263). Conclusion: Anxiety and depression appear and become evident in patients diagnosed with GWs from the moment of diagnosis. It may be necessary to examine this issue carefully and to involve psychiatry consultations in the management when necessary.