What Matters prides itself on reviewing the literature and presenting thoughtful commentary on articles that are relevant and applicable to the practicing clinician. We separate the wheat from the chaff. We are not, however, above taking on attention-grabbing articles.
Over the years, this column has reported on various methods to facilitate the expulsion of kidney stones, including tamsulosin, phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors, and steroids. But this one called out for our assessment: sex to expel kidney stones. Erroneously perceived prurient interests must be forgiven.
Dr. Jon O. Ebbert
Dr. Omer Gokhan Doluoglu of the Clinic of Ankara (Turkey) Training and Research Hospital and colleagues conducted a randomized trial evaluating the effectiveness of sexual intercourse, tamsulosin, or standard medical therapy for kidney stone expulsion (Urology. 2015;86[1]:19-24). Potential subjects were eligible for inclusion if they had radiopaque distal ureteral stones. Subjects were excluded if the stones were larger than 6 mm.
Subjects were randomized to encouragement to have sexual intercourse at least three times per week, tamsulosin 0.4 mg/day, or symptomatic therapy alone. All patients received an antispasmodic and an anti-inflammatory, and were told to drink 2 L of water per day. Sexual intercourse and masturbation were prohibited in groups 2 and 3 during the treatment period, which lasted 4 weeks.
Ninety patients were randomized to the three groups. The mean stone size was 4.7-5.0 mm and not significantly different between the groups.
At 2 weeks, 83.9% (26 of 31) of the patients in the intercourse group, 47.6% (10 of 21) in the tamsulosin group, and 34.8% (8 of 23) passed the stones (P = .001). There was no difference between the groups at 4 weeks. Mean expulsion times were 10 days, 16.6 days, and 18 days, respectively (P = .0001).
The study’s authors propose that nitrous oxide is operant here by causing ureteric relaxation when released to create penile tumescence and during sexual activity. Because masturbation could achieve the same effect, patients in the other groups were told they could not. How effective this instruction was in the current study is unknown, because only “sexual intercourses” were collected on follow-up.
The random-envelope method used is less than ideal, and no data were reported on differences in the number of sexual experiences between groups. If we assume for a moment that a real effect exists, one is left wondering if more would be better. Does the requirement of a partner decrease the likelihood of more frequent stone-expelling sexual experiences? If our patients do not have sexual partners, do we not share these data with them?
And if we use PDE5 inhibitors and encourage sexual activity, do we … kill two birds with one stone?
Dr. Ebbert is professor of medicine, a general internist at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., and a diplomate of the American Board of Addiction Medicine. The opinions expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of the Mayo Clinic. The opinions expressed in this article should not be used to diagnose or treat any medical condition nor should they be used as a substitute for medical advice from a qualified, board-certified practicing clinician. Dr. Ebbert has no relevant financial disclosures about this article. Follow him on Twitter @jonebbert.