[Male contraception: what are the currently available options?] / Contraception masculine : quelles options actuellement disponibles ?

Male contraception plays a small role in global contraception. However, safe and effective means exist and are available with a low failure rate, such as vasectomy or to a lesser extent, condoms. Other so-called natural methods are used despite being less effective, such as periodic abstinence or withdrawal. Finally, new methods are currently being evaluated or developed, such as thermal contraception, hormonal and non-hormonal contraception. Although preliminary results are encouraging, the effectiveness of these methods remains variable and sometimes difficult to reproduce, and still requires controls and validation regarding their safety over long-term use.

La contraception masculine ne représente qu'une faible proportion de la contraception mondiale. Pourtant, des moyens sûrs et efficaces existent et sont disponibles avec un taux d'échec faible, comme la vasectomie ou, dans une moindre mesure, le préservatif. D'autres méthodes dites naturelles telles que l'abstinence périodique ou le retrait sont utilisées malgré leur efficacité moindre. Enfin, certaines méthodes sont en cours d'évaluation ou de développement comme les contraceptions thermique, hormonale et non hormonale. Bien que certains résultats préliminaires soient encourageants, l'efficacité de ces méthodes reste variable et parfois difficilement reproductible. Elle nécessite encore des contrôles et validations concernant leur sûreté pour une utilisation à long terme.

Assessment of sexual function and conjugal satisfaction prior to and after liver transplantation.

BACKGROUND: The aims of this study were to assess sexual function and conjugal satisfaction in patients prior to and after liver transplantation, and in comparison to healthy individuals. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional cohort questionnaire assessment was performed in adult liver recipients, including the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) for men or the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) for women. Conjugal satisfaction was assessed with the Locke-Wallace Marital Adjustment Test. Waitlist candidates and age-matched healthy individuals were used as controls. RESULTS: Questionnaires of 136 patients were assessed (45 women/91 men, mean age: 57 ± 11 years). Overall, sexual function improved after transplantation (male: p=0.065 and female: p=0.072), but remained lower than in aged-matched healthy individuals. The post-transplant level of conjugal satisfaction was stable and similar to healthy controls in men, but improved significantly in women (p=0.008), with higher levels than in healthy subjects (p=0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The present study shows that sexual function improves after transplantation, yet not to the level of healthy controls. It also demonstrates, for the first time, that post-transplant conjugal satisfaction is at least similar to the one of healthy controls.

[Transurethral bladder catheterization in male patients: prevention and treatment of iatrogenic lesions]. / Sondage transurétral chez le sujet masculin: prévention et traitement de l'iatrogénie.

Transurethral catheterization represents a common and frequent procedure performed on hospitalized patients. Although consequences can be disastrous, most of these procedures are performed by nurses or young medical doctors in training who are unfortunately not all specifically taught. In fact 45% of urethral strictures are from iatrogenic origin and expose patients tedious investigations and treatments with a relative high risk of recurrence. It is therefore fundamental to ensure the maximum education to health professionals in terms of transurethral catheterization techniques, indications and signs of complications to reduce the rate of iatrogenic lesions.