Meta-analysis of the efficacy of sexual intercourse for distal ureteric stones

Abstract

Objective This meta-analysis was performed to evaluate the efficacy of sexual intercourse for treatment of distal ureteral stones. Methods Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of sexual intercourse for treatment of distal ureteral stones were searched using PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register. Results Three RCTs comprising 240 patients were included in the meta-analysis, which showed that sexual intercourse was effective in treating distal ureteral stones. The expulsion rate of distal ureteral stones at the second week (odds ratio [OR] = 6.61, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.66 to 11.94), expulsion rate of distal ureteral stones at the fourth week (OR = 4.00, 95% CI: 2.09 to 7.64), and number of analgesic injections (mean difference [MD] = −0.79, 95% CI: −1.51 to −0.08) indicated that sexual intercourse was more effective than placebo. However, the mean expulsion time of distal ureteral stones (MD = −3.98, 95% CI: −8.77 to 0.81) showed no difference between sexual intercourse and placebo. Conclusions Compared with placebo, sexual intercourse exhibited greater efficacy for the treatment of distal ureteral stones, whilst potentially alleviating pain.