Effects of Abstinence from Opioid on Sexual Functioning in Men with Opioid Use Disorder: An Observational Study

Abstract

Objective: Sexual dysfunction amongst persons with opioid use disorder (OUD) is quite prevalent. Research about the effects of abstinence from opioids on sexual functioning is scarce. The aim of this study is to assess the sexual functioning among men with OUD and examine the effects of abstinence from opioids on sexual functioning. Methods: An observational study was conducted at a tertiary-level multi-specialty public-funded hospital in northern India. A total of 50 men with OUD underwent a self-report–based assessment of sexual functioning using the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-15). Five sub-domains of IIEF-15 (i.e., erectile function, orgasmic function, sexual desire, intercourse satisfaction and overall satisfaction) were assessed at baseline, two weeks and eight weeks of abstinence from opioids. Results: A total of 44 participants out of 50 reported significant dysfunction. Most of them reported dysfunction in the domains of overall satisfaction (88%, n = 44) and sexual desire (72%, n = 36). After eight weeks of abstinence from opioids, 10 participants out of 44 reported improvement on mean assessment scores. The improvement was noted as follows: erectile function (8%), orgasmic function (2%), sexual desire (8%), intercourse satisfaction (8%) and overall satisfaction (16%) as compared to baseline. There was significant improvement in the subdomain of sexual desire ( p value .05) over the course of eight weeks of abstinence compared to baseline. Conclusion: Abstinence from opioids leads to improvement in sexual functioning over a period of eight weeks of abstinence in men with OUD.