Sexual Arousal Problems Research Articles

Top 50 most cited articles about female sexual dysfunction: a bibliometric analysis.

Female sexual dysfunction (FSD) consists of low libido, sexual arousal problems, anorgasmia, and dyspareunia. Sexual function is an important aspect of life for many women and is closely correlated with overall well-being. FSD is often underrepresented in the academic space when compared with male sexual disorders, such as erectile dysfunction. As FSD spans many fields (eg, urology, gynecology, psychology), bibliometric analyses are an important resource to highlight landmark articles. To identify key articles about FSD by citation number and bibliometric analysis to facilitate future scholarly efforts into more FSD research. We searched for articles in the Web of Science Core Collection between 1900 and 2023 using terms specific to FSD. We identified relevant FSD articles and selected the top 50 most cited. A bibliometric analysis was performed to collect and analyze data about title, authorship, publication year, citation number, journal and impact factor, country and institution, study type, citation index, specialty, and conflict of interest. An overall 6858 results were identified. The top 50 most cited articles were published between 1997 and 2014 in 12 countries, across 32 institutions, and in 20 journals. The United States produced the most articles. The Journal of Sexual Medicine published the most articles. The mean number of citations per article was 351.64. Observational studies were most common. More than half were sponsored. Of all the specialties, most articles were categorized as urology and nephrology. Research about FSD has been much less impactful than research about male sexual dysfunction, possibly owing to stigma and decreased clinical training. As FSD covers many fields, bibliometric analyses are invaluable to understand the vast body of knowledge. We hope that this research emphasizes the lack of attention that FSD has had and that it provides health care professionals with a valuable tool to understand the trajectory of FSD to guide future education efforts.

Comment on “Reboot/NoFap Participants Erectile Concerns Predicted by Anxiety and Not Mediated/Moderated by Pornography Viewing”

Dear Sir, We would like to compliment the authors for questioning the Reboot/NoFap approach to male sexual arousal problems. As clinicians, we see a steep increase of patients asking about the sense or nonsense of trying such an approach. This comment highlights both the strengths of the original paper and poses a number of questions regarding its content and methodology.

(023) Disinformation on pornography effects on erectile function led to iatrogenic Reboot/NoFap "treatment"

Abstract Introduction Dozens of studies concluded that pornography does not cause erectile dysfunction. A laboratory study (2022) studying actual partners reported that partners who reported viewing more pornography in their daily life also reported higher sexual arousal to the real partner. Similarly, the partner being manually stimulated in that study exhibited higher galvanic skin response/arousal associated with increased sexual arousal when more pornography had been viewed in their daily life. Yet, most sex addiction therapists and Reboot/NoFap coaches claim that their clients’ sexual dysfunctions are caused by pornography viewing. Qualitative interviews with followers of Reboot/NoFap found that the framing of pornography as an “addiction” by these groups was actually maintaining clients’ distress. This raised the possibility that disinformation from these “treatments” regarding sexual functioning actually was the cause of ED. Objective Examine whether engagement with Reboot/NoFap “treatments” might actually be causing or perpetuating sexual arousal problems attributed to pornography viewing. Methods Data were collected via (1) a pre-registered, online survey and (2) scrape of the Reboot/NoFap “support” group /r/NoFap. Men (n = 693) who had heard of Reboot. The Reddit scrape included 1,219 unique users and 10,971 unique r/NoFap posts. 2.3% of users had to be excluded for spontaneously posting that they were under age 18 due to not documenting parental knowledge, consent, or assent to post. Posts were subjected to a sentiment analysis, a form of natural language processing. Results Survey: Those who personally participated in Reboot/NoFap treatments were significantly younger, more sex negative, and sexually less experienced than those who chose not to participate. Those who participated the most in /r/NoFap forum, paradoxically, reported significantly more symptoms of erectile dysfunction, depression, and anxiety. They also were more likely to report being told to “kill or harm” themselves in the support subreddit /r/NoFap and reported more suicidal ideation at their last relapse. Erectile difficulties were predicted by respondents’ anxiety symptoms, and that relationship was not mediated or moderated by their pornography viewing. The strongest predictor of identifying as a pornography addict in this sample was higher narcissism. Reddit scrape: The users who posted over time in r/NoFap, on average, included the same or more posts containing sad, angry, disgusted, or fear words. Emotions in the post were not predicted by the support (upvotes, comment count) received. Conclusions Treatments that conceptualize pornography as causing erectile dysfunction appears to paradoxically cause distress and erectile problems to worsen. Disclosure Any of the authors act as a consultant, employee or shareholder of an industry for: Mind Measures LLC

Third generation cognitive-behavioral therapies and genital pain

IntroductionGenital pain is a heterogeneous chronic pain condition and the relationship between biological, psychological and social factors sets a complex clinical challenge. The importance of negative thoughts and emotions has opened up an opportunity for the role of third generation cognitive-behavioral therapies (CBT). While the majority of evidence revolves around female sexual desire and arousal problems, research on genital pain disorders is beginning to take shape.ObjectivesTo review the evidence of third generation CBT on genital pain disorder.MethodsReview of literature using the Pubmed platform.ResultsWe identified 21 publications. Evidence shows that mindfulness-based CBT (MbCBT) improves reduction of fear linked to sexual activity, pain acceptance, catastrophizing and decentering. MbCBT shows significant improvements on secondary outcomes (overall sexual function, sexual satisfaction, depression and anxiety) while reduction of genital pain has yielded contradictory results. Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) has been studied for chronic pain disorders with improvements on pain acceptance, psychological flexibility, anxiety, depression and functioning. Compassion-focused therapy (CFT) has yielded favorable results on pain distress and intensity, self-efficacy, self-acceptance, anxiety and depression. Self-compassion may be a promising protective factor in genital pain. Both ACT and CFT have not yet been studied specifically for genital pain.ConclusionsThird generation CBT are most commonly used for depressive, anxiety and chronic pain disorders which signals the logical role that these interventions may have in genital pain. While MbCBT has started to present favorable results in treating genital pain (as well other sexual problems), ACT and CFT require more research.

Female Sexuality: Assessing Satisfaction and Addressing Problems

Sexuality is important to women of all ages. Although changes in sexual function occur with aging, hormonal transitions, illness, the use of medications, and disability, many women can maintain a satisfying sex life by making appropriate adaptations. Clinicians who take the time to obtain a complete and careful sexual history and perform a pertinent physical examination can help the majority of women who present with sexual complaints. Effective treatment must address the contribution of psychological, relationship, and biologic factors and often requires the collaboration of physicians and psychotherapists, as well as sex and physical therapists in many circumstances. Simply initiating a discussion about sexual concerns is frequently the most valuable aspect of treatment for women and their partners. Also useful are provision of basic education about normal female genital anatomy and sexual function across the lifespan; permission to explore masturbation, erotica, and versatile sexual techniques, as well as nongenital pleasuring; information about lubricants; and the prescription of estrogen in the setting of vulvovaginal atrophy. There are as yet no approved agents to treat the biologic component of hypoactive sexual desire. However, it may be appropriate to consider using androgen supplementation in patients with surgical menopause, as well as the addition of bupropion in patients taking selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). This review discusses the epidemiology of female sexual disorders, the female sexual response and sexual behavior, and the diagnosis and management of specific sexual disorders, including desire, arousal, orgasm, and sexual-pain problems. This review contains 4 figures, 41 tables, and 96 references. Keywords: Sexual dysfunction disorder, arousal, orgasm, desire, dyspareunia, vulvodynia, vestibulitis, vaginismus

Female Sexuality: Assessing Satisfaction and Addressing Problems

Sexuality is important to women of all ages. Although changes in sexual function occur with aging, hormonal transitions, illness, the use of medications, and disability, many women can maintain a satisfying sex life by making appropriate adaptations. Clinicians who take the time to obtain a complete and careful sexual history and perform a pertinent physical examination can help the majority of women who present with sexual complaints. Effective treatment must address the contribution of psychological, relationship, and biologic factors and often requires the collaboration of physicians and psychotherapists, as well as sex and physical therapists in many circumstances. Simply initiating a discussion about sexual concerns is frequently the most valuable aspect of treatment for women and their partners. Also useful are provision of basic education about normal female genital anatomy and sexual function across the lifespan; permission to explore masturbation, erotica, and versatile sexual techniques, as well as nongenital pleasuring; information about lubricants; and the prescription of estrogen in the setting of vulvovaginal atrophy. There are as yet no approved agents to treat the biologic component of hypoactive sexual desire. However, it may be appropriate to consider using androgen supplementation in patients with surgical menopause, as well as the addition of bupropion in patients taking selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). This review discusses the epidemiology of female sexual disorders, the female sexual response and sexual behavior, and the diagnosis and management of specific sexual disorders, including desire, arousal, orgasm, and sexual-pain problems. This review contains 4 figures, 41 tables, and 96 references. Keywords: Sexual dysfunction disorder, arousal, orgasm, desire, dyspareunia, vulvodynia, vestibulitis, vaginismus

Understanding sexual arousal and subjective-genital arousal desynchrony in women.

Sexual arousal in women comprises two components: genital arousal and subjective arousal. Genital arousal is characterized by genital vasocongestion and other physiological changes that occur in response to sexual stimuli, whereas subjective arousal refers to mental engagement during sexual activity. For some women, genital arousal enhances subjective arousal; for others, the two types of arousal are desynchronous. However, the relationship between genital and subjective arousal might not be relevant to the diagnosis and treatment of sexual arousal dysfunction. Studies have shown that not all women who report sexual arousal problems have decreased genital arousal, and only some women with decreased genital arousal have low subjective arousal. To develop efficacious treatments for female sexual arousal dysfunction, researchers need to differentiate the women for whom genital sensations have a critical role in their subjective arousal from those who are not mentally aroused by genital cues. The mechanisms by which women become aroused and the inputs into arousal have considerable implications for treatment outcomes.

One Session of Autogenic Training Increases Acute Subjective Sexual Arousal in Premenopausal Women Reporting Sexual Arousal Problems

BackgroundBelow average heart rate variability (HRV) has been associated with sexual arousal dysfunction and overall sexual dysfunction in women. Autogenic training, a psychophysiologic relaxation technique, has been shown to increase HRV. In a recent study, sexually healthy women experienced acute increases in physiologic (ie, genital) and subjective sexual arousal after 1 brief session of autogenic training. AimTo build on these findings by testing the effects of a single session of autogenic training on sexual arousal in a sample of women who reported decreased or absent sexual arousal for at least 6 months. MethodsGenital sexual arousal, subjective sexual arousal, and perceived genital sensations were assessed in 25 women 20 to 44 years old before and after listening to a 22-minute autogenic training recording. HRV was assessed with electrocardiography. OutcomesChange in genital sexual arousal, subjective sexual arousal, and perceived genital sensations from the pre-manipulation erotic film to the post-manipulation erotic film. ResultsMarginally significant increases in discrete subjective sexual arousal (P = .051) and significant increases in perceived genital sensations (P = .018) were observed. In addition, degree of change in HRV significantly moderated increases in subjective arousal measured continuously over time (P < .0001). There were no significant increases in genital arousal after the manipulation. Clinical ImplicationsThe results of this study suggest that autogenic training, and other interventions that aim to increase HRV, could be a useful addition to treatment protocols for women who are reporting a lack of subjective arousal or decreased genital sensations. Strengths and LimitationsThere are few treatment options for women with arousal problems. We report on a new psychosocial intervention that could improve arousal. Limitations include a relatively small sample and the lack of a control group. ConclusionOur findings indicate that autogenic training significantly improves acute subjective arousal and increases perceived genital sensations in premenopausal women with self-reported arousal concerns.Stanton AM, Hixon JG, Nichols LM, Meston CM. One Session of Autogenic Training Increases Acute Subjective Sexual Arousal in Premenopausal Women Reporting Sexual Arousal Problems. J Sex Med 2018;15:64–76.

Management of sexual problems: the approach of mindfulness.

During the last 10 years mindfulness has been progressively integrated into protocols for the management of sexual problems. The purpose of this study is to systematize potential benefits of mindfulness in sexual well-being (considering mind, emotion, and body), and to shortly review current applications and effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions to the treatment of sexual problems. The majority of evidence available focuses on women's sexual desire and arousal problems, although there are also preliminary findings for the effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions in enhancing other components of the sexual response. Relationship issues, sexual pain, sexual abuse, and sexual distress have also revealed to benefit from mindfulness-based interventions. The practice of mindfulness is a promising clinical approach with encouraging results for women's sexual problems. Further empirical research with different populations and greater methodological rigour is still needed to clarify the effectiveness of mindfulness as a specific component and the mechanisms contributing to therapeutic change.

006 Improvements in Acute Subjective Sexual Arousal after a Brief Session of Autogenic Training in Women with Sexual Arousal Problems

006 Improvements in Acute Subjective Sexual Arousal after a Brief Session of Autogenic Training in Women with Sexual Arousal Problems

One Session of Autogenic Training Increases Acute Subjective Sexual Arousal in Pre-Menopausal Women With Sexual Arousal Problems

Below average heart rate variability (HRV) has been associated with sexual arousal dysfunction and overall sexual dysfunction in women. Autogenic training, a psychophysiological relaxation technique, has been shown to increase HRV. In a recent study, sexually healthy women experienced acute increases in both physiological and subjective sexual arousal after one brief session of autogenic training (Stanton & Meston, in press). The present study builds on these findings by testing the effects of a single session of autogenic training on sexual arousal in a sample of women with Female Sexual Arousal Disorder (FSAD). The final sample included 25 women, aged 20 to 44, with an average age of 31.16 (SD = 6.71). Vaginal pulse amplitude (VPA), an index of genital sexual arousal, and subjective sexual arousal were assessed before and after listening to a 22-minute autogenic training recording. Heart rate variability was assessed with electrocardiography. Data were analyzed with hierarchical linear modeling and paired samples t-tests.

Sexual Problems Predict PTSD and Depression Symptom Change Among Male OEF/OIF Veterans Completing Exposure Therapy

Objective: A growing literature documents frequent sexual problems among Operations Enduring/Iraqi Freedom (OEF/OIF) veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, there has been no examination of how (1) sexual problems may be affected by evidenced-based psychotherapy for PTSD or (2) how the presence of sexual problems might impact effectiveness of evidenced-based psychotherapy for PTSD. As such, the present study investigated associations among symptoms of PTSD, depression, and problems with sexual desire and arousal among 45 male OEF/OIF veterans receiving behavioral activation and therapeutic exposure (BA-TE), an evidence-based behavior therapy targeting co-occurring symptoms of PTSD and depression. Method: Participants completed clinical interviews and several questionnaires including measures of sexual arousal, sexual desire, PTSD symptoms, and depression symptoms at baseline and after completion of 8 sessions of BA-TE treatment. A records review was also conducted to assess for relevant medication use. Results: Overall, sexual desire and sexual arousal problems did not improve during the course of treatment. Moreover, veterans with co-occurring sexual problems at baseline evidenced significantly less improvement in symptoms of PTSD and depression across treatment as compared to veterans without sexual problems. Conclusions: These findings suggest that veterans with co-occurring symptoms of PTSD and sexual problems may require additional assessment and treatment considerations in order to improve their treatment outcomes for both primary psychiatric symptoms as well as sexual problems. Future research on combination treatments of medication for sexual problems and psychotherapy for PTSD is needed.

A study of possible associations between single nucleotide polymorphisms in the estrogen receptor 2 gene and female sexual desire.

Female sexual desire and arousal problems have been shown to have a heritable component of moderate size. Previous molecular genetic studies on sexual desire have mainly focused on genes associated with neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin. Nevertheless, there is reason to believe that hormones with more specific functions concerning sexuality could have an impact on sexual desire and arousal. The aim of the present study was to investigate the possible effects of 17 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) located in estrogen receptor genes on female sexual desire and subjective and genital arousal (lubrication). Based on previous research, we hypothesized that ESR1 and ESR2 are relevant genes that contribute to female sexual desire and arousal. The desire, arousal, and lubrication subdomains of the Female Sexual Function Index self-report questionnaire were used. The present study involved 2,448 female twins and their sisters aged 18-49 who had submitted saliva samples for genotyping. The participants were a subset from a large-scale, population-based sample. We found nominally significant main effects on sexual desire for three ESR2 -linked SNPs when controlled for anxiety, suggesting that individuals homozygous for the G allele of the rs1271572 SNP, and the A allele of the rs4986938 and rs928554 SNPs had lower levels of sexual desire. The rs4986938 SNP also had a nominally significant effect on lubrication. No effects for any of the SNPs on subjective arousal could be detected. The number of nominally significant results for SNPs in the ESR2 gene before correcting for multiple testing suggests that further studies on the possible influence of this gene on interindividual variation in female sexual functioning are warranted. In contrast, no support for an involvement of ESR1 was obtained. Our results should be interpreted with caution until replicated in independent, large samples.

Problems in sexual functioning among male OEF/OIF veterans seeking treatment for posttraumatic stress

ObjectiveFew studies have examined sexual dysfunction among Operations Enduring/Iraqi Freedom (OEF/OIF) veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The present study investigated predictors of erectile dysfunction [ED] and self-reported sexual problems among 150 male combat veterans seeking outpatient treatment for PTSD within the Veterans Affairs healthcare system. MethodParticipants completed clinical interviews and several questionnaires including measures of sexual arousal and sexual desire. A medical records review was also conducted to document evidence of an ED diagnosis or associated medication use. ResultsAn ED diagnosis was present for 12% of the sample, and 10% were taking associated medications. Sexual arousal problems were reported by sixty-two percent of partnered veterans. Sexual desire problems were endorsed by 63% of the total sample, and by 72% of partnered veterans. Age was the only significant predictor of ED diagnosis or medication use. Age, race, PTSD diagnosis (versus subclinical symptoms), depression, and social support predicted self-reported sexual arousal problems; while race, combat exposure, social support, and avoidance/numbing symptoms of PTSD predicted self-reported sexual desire problems. ConclusionsSexual problems are common among male OEF/OIF combat veterans seeking treatment for PTSD. Moreover, avoidance/numbing symptoms robustly predicted sexual desire problems. These findings highlight the importance of expanding assessment of sexual dysfunction and support the need for additional research in this area.

EPA-1719 – Effectiveness of switching to agomelatine in antidepressant-related sexual dysfunction

Antidepressants such as SSRI and SNRI are associated to sexual dysfunction (SD). Agomelatine, an antidepressant with an unique and different mechanism of action, didn’t produce SD in patients and healthy volunteeers (Montejo et al, 2010). To evaluate the effectiveness of switching to agomelatine in patient's experiencing SD related to previous antidepressant treatment (AD-SD). Observational prospective study of 2-6 months follow-up. Adult sexually active patients presenting AD-SD and switched to agomelatine monotherapy were included. SD was evaluated with the change at endpoint in the validated and specific questionnaire PR-Sex-DQ-SALSEX (Montejo et al, 2001). 51 patients were included. All of them presented moderate to severe SD at inclusion. Previous AD treatment was an SSRI (63.4%) or SNRI (36.6%). Mean time of follow-up was 10.38 weeks (Sd: 5.20). Mean dose of agometine was 28.43 mg/day (Sd: 10.02). Sexual dysfunction (sexual interest, orgasm delay, anorgasmia and arousal problems) improved after switching to agomelatine, as shown by the significant reduction in PR-Sex-DQ-SALSEX score (global and by items) at endpoint (p<0.001, Wilcoxon test). At endpoint 44.9% of the sample had resolved their SD. Moderate-severe SD was present only in 18.4%. 13.9% discontinued agomelatine due to lack of efficacy and 9.7% because tolerability issues, specially associated to discontinuation syndrome. In our sample global and every domain of SD improved significantly after switching to agomelatine, what makes it an apparent successful option to manage Antidepressant-related Sexual Dysfunction. A gradual switching is suggested in order to avoid treatment failure due to discontinuation syndrome.

Dissociation During Sex and Sexual Arousal in Women With and Without a History of Childhood Sexual Abuse

Women with a history of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) experience dissociative symptoms and sexual difficulties with greater frequency than women without a history of CSA. Current models of sexual dysfunction for sexual abuse survivors suggest that dissociation may mediate the relationship between CSA and sexual arousal difficulties. Dissociation, however, is often conceptualized as a single construct in studies of CSA and not as separate domains as in the dissociation literature. In the present study, women with (CSA, N = 37) and without (NSA, N = 22) a history of CSA recruited from the community were asked to indicate the frequency and intensity of their experience in two dissociation subgroups, derealization and depersonalization, during sex with a partner and in their daily life. Findings showed that, in the NSA group, more depersonalization during sex with a partner was associated with lower sexual arousal functioning. However, for both the NSA and CSA groups, more derealization during sex was associated with higher sexual arousal functioning. No measure of dissociation was significantly associated with sexual responses in the laboratory. These findings highlight the importance of distinguishing between different forms of dissociation (i.e., derealization and depersonalization) in the study of sexual arousal functioning. In addition, the findings challenge the notion that dissociation is a main predictor of sexual arousal problems in survivors of CSA and suggest that a more nuanced relationship may exist.

Emotional intimacy is the best predictor of sexual satisfaction of men and women with sexual arousal problems

This study investigates the association between variables related to individual body appearance and relationship variables with sexual satisfaction (SS) in a sample of men and women with sexual arousal problems (SAP). An anonymous cross-sectional survey was conducted in a clinical setting with a non-representative sample of people diagnosed (DSP) with SAP and with a sample of people who identified themselves (SISP) as having a SAP. A total of 193 participants was recruited. SS and variables related to body appearance and relationship were measured. Hierarchical regression was used to study the contribution of different sets of variables on SS of men and women. No differences were found in terms of demographic variables, except for gender. Women in the SISP group presented significantly higher levels of SS than women in the DSP group. The predictive models proved to be statistically significant and explained many of the variance of SS in both men (R(2)=0.44) and women (R(2)=0.40). In both genders, emotional intimacy was revealed to be the main predictor of SS. Our results support the need to address relationship variables in patients diagnosed with SAP, specifically intimacy. This latter component must be considered for assessment, intervention and referral.

The Effects of Similarity in Sexual Excitation, Inhibition, and Mood on Sexual Arousal Problems and Sexual Satisfaction in Newlywed Couples

Despite the importance of sexuality for romantic relationships, there has been little research attention to individual differences and dyadic variables, including couple similarity, and their association with sexual problems and satisfaction. The current study examined the effects of the propensity for sexual inhibition and sexual excitation scales (SIS/SES) and the effects of different mood states on sexuality (Mood and Sexuality Questionnaire [MSQ]), at both the individual and the dyad level, on sexual arousal problems and sexual satisfaction. Similarity in SIS/SES and MSQ was measured in a nonclinical sample of 35 newlywed couples and operationally defined as the within-couple, z-transformed correlations between the two partners' item responses. Sexual arousal problems were assessed using self-report measures (Demographic and Sexual History Questionnaire) and focused on the past 3 months. Sexual satisfaction was assessed using the Global Measure of Sexual Satisfaction. Regression analyses revealed that greater similarity in the effects of anxiety and stress on sexuality was associated with more reported sexual arousal problems of wives. In contrast, the husbands' sexual arousal problems were related only to their own higher SIS1 scores. Higher SES scores predicted lower sexual satisfaction for both husbands and wives. Wives who reported strong positive mood effects on their sexuality indicated greater sexual satisfaction, while husbands who were more similar to their wives in the effect of positive moods on sexuality indicated greater sexual satisfaction. The findings show that, above and beyond one's own sexual propensities, similarity in various aspects of sexuality predicts sexual problems (more so in women) and sexual satisfaction (in both men and women).

Acute exercise improves physical sexual arousal in women taking antidepressants.

Antidepressants can impair sexual arousal. Exercise increases genital arousal in healthy women, likely due to increasing sympathetic nervous system (SNS) activity. Test if exercise increases genital arousal in women taking antidepressants, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which suppress SNS activity, and selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), which suppress the SNS less. Women reporting antidepressant-related sexual arousal problems (N = 47) participated in three counterbalanced sessions where they watched an erotic film while we recorded genital and SNS arousal. In two sessions, women exercised for 20 min, either 5 or 15 min prior to the films. During the no-exercise condition, women taking SSRIs showed significantly less genital response than women taking SNRIs. Exercise prior to sexual stimuli increased genital arousal in both groups. Women reporting greater sexual dysfunction had larger increases in genital arousal post-exercise. For women taking SSRIs, genital arousal was linked to SNS activity. Exercise may improve antidepressant-related genital arousal problems.

Drug-induced sexual dysfunction and mental health patients' attitude to psychotropic medications

The objective of the study was to explore sexual dysfunction in adults with enduring mental health problem treated with psychotropic medications, focusing on associations between drug-induced sexual dysfunction and attitude to prescribed medications. Participants were invited to complete an anonymous self-administered survey questionnaire, which comprised of the 10-Item Drug Attitude Inventory and the Arizona Sexual Experience Scale (ASEX). In addition, participants were asked about their views on discussing sexual problems with healthcare professionals. Of participants, 34 (53%) reported current sexual dysfunction. Of those, 26 (41%) attributed their sexual dysfunction to side-effects of medications. Sixteen (25%) expressed a negative attitude towards their treatment. Compared to patients with a positive attitude, those with a negative attitude reported statistically significant higher ratings of sexual arousal problems, erectile dysfunction/vaginal dryness, orgasmic inhibitions, orgasmic dissatisfactions and higher total ASEX scores. Furthermore, participants were relatively willing to discuss their sexual problems with healthcare professionals. The study found that participants' experience of sexual side-effects has a negative influence on subjective attitude to psychotropic medications. Empathic discussions of sexual side-effects may offer psychiatrists an opportunity to improve treatment adherence and, ultimately, quality of life.