Splenectomy and Libido

• The removal of the spleen due to disease or trauma may be followed by disorders due to asplenism, including immunodeficiency, hematological and metabolic diseases, mainly dyslipidemia, which can lead to sepsis, pulmonary embolism, and early death.

• Although patients frequently report sexual disinterest after splenectomy.

• To study libido and other sexual functions after the complete removal of the spleen in humans, this study was performed on 60 healthy adults, 30 men, and 30 women, after more than 1 year of total splenectomy to treat isolated splenic trauma.

• The analysis compared the responses obtained in the periods before and after the splenectomy. Laboratory tests with hematological and biochemical analyses, including sex hormones, were performed in all patients.

• A decrease in libido and an increase in sexual dysfunction were observed after splenectomy in all men and women.

• All postoperative laboratory tests showed normal values in both genders.

• Asplenia is associated with a marked decrease in libido and intense sexual dysfunction in both men and women, with normal hematological and biochemical laboratory tests, including hormonal exams.

source: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-021-01371-7