Overlooked and undertreated: the role of female sexual dysfunction in male sexual health outcomes

Mallory Pine¹, Marium Ansari¹, Alise Hale¹, Ramzy Burns^2,*, Helen L. Bernie²
1 Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
2 Department of Urology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
* Corresponding Author: Ramzy Burns. Email: email
(This article belongs to the Special Issue: Advances in Men's Health: The Latest in Andrology, Male Infertility, and Sexual Medicine)

Canadian Journal of Urology https://doi.org/10.32604/cju.2026.078958

Received 11 January 2026; Accepted 11 June 2026; Published online 24 July 2026

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Abstract

Introduction: Male sexual dysfunction (MSD) is a prevalent condition traditionally evaluated and treated through a male-centric lens, despite growing recognition that sexual health is inherently relational. Emerging evidence demonstrates that female sexual dysfunction (FSD) plays a critical role in shaping male sexual outcomes, treatment satisfaction, and overall relationship well-being. FSD is common, multifactorial, and influenced by biological, psychological, and relational factors, with prevalence estimates varying depending on the presence of associated distress. Similarly, MSD encompasses a broad spectrum beyond erectile dysfunction, including ejaculatory disorders, hypogonadism, and penile deformity, many of which remain underrecognized. Across multiple studies, FSD is consistently associated with poorer male sexual outcomes, reduced satisfaction, and increased distress among male partners, while improvements in male sexual function may positively influence female outcomes, highlighting a bidirectional relationship. Despite this, partner sexual health is inconsistently assessed in clinical practice and underrepresented in medical training. Furthermore, few studies have evaluated female sexual outcomes following advanced MSD treatments such as penile prosthesis implantation using validated instruments. This review synthesizes current evidence on the prevalence and interrelationship of FSD and MSD, examines gaps in clinical training and research, and emphasizes the need for a couple-centered approach to sexual health to optimize outcomes for both partners.