Though BDSM interest (bondage & discipline, dominance & submission and sadism & masochism) has proven to be quite prevalent (46.8% in recent research), there is still significant stigma surrounding it, both in general society and among mental health practitioners.

This research explores the biological mechanisms associated with a BDSM interaction in the hope to strengthen the argument that it does not belong in the psychiatric field.

The present study collected data on peripheral hormone levels, pain thresholds and pain cognitions before and after a BDSM interaction and compared these results to a control group.

show that submissives have increased cortisol and endocannabinoid levels due to the BDSM interaction and that these increases are linked. Dominants showed a significant increase in endocannabinoids associated with power play but not with pain play. BDSM practitioners have a higher pain threshold overall and a BSDM interaction will result in a temporary elevation of pain thresholds for submissives. Additionally, pain thresholds in dominants will be dependent upon their fear of pain and tendency to catastrophize pain and submissives will experience less fear of pain than the control group

Even though this is one of the first studies of its kind, several biological processes can be associated with BDSM interactions, strengthening the hypothesis of BDSM as a healthy form of intimacy and promoting its distinction from paraphilias as they are described in the DSM or ICD classifications.

No significant relationships.

This quality improvement project was a collaboration between an adult, inpatient female psychiatric intensive care unit (PICU) in South London and the Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights, Inclusion and Empowerment (SHRINE) programme. SHRINE is a London-based programme delivering SRH care to any individual with serious mental illness, substance misuse and/or learning disability.

The primary aim of this quality improvement project was to assess patients’ sexual and reproductive (SRH) needs, and the acceptability of providing SRH assessments in a female PICU setting. Secondary aims were to explore the barriers to access and the feasibility of providing SRH assessments and SHRINE interventions in the PICU.

A bi-monthly SRH in-reach clinic and a nurse led SRH referral pathway were implemented on the PICU over a seven-month period. Within a quality improvement framework, a staff training needs assessment was performed, training delivered, a protocol developed, staff attitudes explored, and patient and carer engagement sought.

30% of women were identified as having unmet SRH needs and proceeded to a specialist appointment, representing a 2.5-fold increase in unmet need detection. 42% of women were assessed, representing a 3.5-fold increase in uptake. 21% of women initiated SRH interventions of which 14% had all their SRH needs met.

Results identified SRH needs for PICU admissions are greater than realised. Staff highlighted the acceptability and importance of SRH care, if interventions are appropriately timed and the patient’s individual risk profile considered. Providing a nurse-led referral pathway for an SRH in-reach clinic is acceptable, feasible and beneficial for PICU patients.

No significant relationships.

The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically affected ones well-being. ICU healthcare providers are particularly concerned by this impact which includes physical, mental and socioeconomic repercussions. Others health dimensions could be deeply affected but not well explored such as the psycho-sexual status.

The aim of this study was to assess sexual health status among ICU healthcare providers.

This was a cross-sectional study enrolling Tunisian ICU healthcare providers and conducted between July and September 2021. Data collection was based on a self-administrated questionnaire. To assess sexuality, Arabic validated versions of the IIEF-15 and the FSFI was used for male and female respectively. The Fear of COVID-19 Scale and the Rosenberg Self-esteem questionnaire were also used.

Twenty ICU workers (13 physicians and 7 nurses) were enrolled. The mean age was 28.2 years and the sex ratio was 2.3. All participants were involved in COVID-19 crisis management and 80 % reported an increase in their workload. The mean Rosenberg scale was 27 suggesting a low self-esteem. The mean Covid19 Fear Scale was 26 ± 2. For the IIEF-15 the mean score was 17 ± 3 (moderate erectyl dysfunction) and the most damaged dimension was the intercourse satisfaction. For the FSFI scale, the mean was 23 ± 5 witch (a low sexual dysfunction). A high sexual desire with a lack in the satisfaction dimension was reported in 90% of cases. Only 4 participants have consulted a sexologist.

COVID-19 has a serious sexual impact in ICU healthcare providers justifying urgent psychological interventions.

No significant relationships.

Maintaining sexuality is important to the well-being of women, particularly after menopause and benefits of sexual satisfaction in terms of emotional well-being and quality of life have been well demonstrated.

This study aims to assess the sexual health behaviors in Tunisian women during and after menopause and the awareness of Tunisian partners about the role of the quality of their sexuality regarding their physical and psychological wellbeing.

We comprehensively review the scientific literature using Pubmed database to state Tunisian literature regarding sexual behaviors and function in women during and after menopause. Interviews with twenty Tunisian women after menopause about sexual health have been conducted.

Our bibliographic research revealed a poor literature with only two papers responding to our inquiry but among a specific female population investigated after experiencing breast cancer “Female sexuality in premenopausal patients with breast cancer on endocrine therapy and sexuality after breast cancer: cultural specificities of Tunisian population”. Interrogated women reported a poor sexual satisfaction as well as sexual difficulties in the partner or with him. In fact, there is an important wrong understanding of the female anatomy and physiology by both partners, for the female sexual satisfaction. There is also many wrong cultural ideas about menopause and sexuality.

Currently, sexuality in Tunisian women during and after menopause is influenced by ageing, by previous sexual function and experiences, the male domination in partner’s sexual practices and the sexual functioning in the partner. In general, there is an unfavorable body image and disturbed sexual health.

No significant relationships.

Having a mental disorder is associated with increased vulnerability to the transmission of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and the prevalence of HIV is higher in people with a severe mental disorder. People with psychiatric comorbidities such as bipolar affective disorder and depressive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (physical or sexual abuse) and/or psychoactive substance use have a higher risk of HIV infection.

This work is intended to expose the importance of integrating mental health care with the care of HIV patients.

The authors conducted a non-systematic review of the literature, conducting research through Pubmed and Medscape using the keywords ‘Preexposure prophylaxis’, ‘HIV’, ‘Mental health problems’.

Several factors may contribute to the high comorbidity between HIV and Mental Disorders, including socio-demographic factors, weak social and environmental structures, as well as internalized stigma, social and experienced discrimination. Mental health problems may interfere with the care needed for prevention, including regular HIV testing and/or adherence to Preexposure Prophylaxis (PrEP); and influence access to and adherence to antiretroviral treatment.

This compelling evidence makes the necessary contribution of integrating mental health into an assessment and continuous treatment of the HIV patient, on the other hand, the assessment and treatment of mental disorders should address sexual health.

Unplanned pregnancies are a significant risk factor in perinatal mental health. They also have the potential to result in adverse health impacts for mother, baby and children into later in life. Women from disadvantaged backgrounds are less likely to access contraception. Women are more likely to on board health advice during pregnancy and post partum period due to high level of surveillance by health professionals.

Our aim was for 90% of patients on Coombe Wood Mother and Baby Unit (MBU) to feel supported to make an informed decision about their contraception by October 2020.

A questionnaire was completed by fifteen inpatients at the Mother and Baby Unit over a 4 month period (April- August 2020) to assess areas around their pregnancy and contraceptives of choice. Contraceptive training was provided by a Sexual Health Specialist to staff across multiple disciplinaries on Coombe Wood MBU. Sexual Health discussion groups were delivered by doctors to inpatients on a monthly basis. A post-intervention questionnaire was given to patients.

•53% of patients reported unplanned pregnancies. •40% of women felt lacking confidence in choosing the right contraceptive •The most frequent question asked during the sexual health groups was regarding hormonal contraceptives impacting on mental health. •By September 100% of patients felt they were able to make an informed decision about their contraception on discharge.

Facilitating women to make informed decisions regarding their contraception empowers them to gain autonomy, reduces the risks of physical and mental illness, improves the quality of life for mothers and babies.

Definitions of health in different branches of medicine are one of the key paradigms in medical sciences. Nowadays, there are two distinct definitions of sexual health and mental health. The definition of sexual health, as well as sexual rights, was proposed by the World Health Organization (WHO, 2006), and the definition of mental health was published in World Psychiatry (Galderisi et al, 2015).

The analysis and comparison of these two definitions: mental health and sexual health are two main objectives of this study.

The analysis was carried out in three areas: logic, philosophical aspects (values) and the impact of other disciplines.

The definition of sexual health reveals a eudaimonistic approach, whereas the definition of mental health is based on a holistic paradigm. Regarding the main principles in the definition of sexual heath, one can identify the following values: well-being, pleasure, safety, sexual rights – compared to harmony, empathy, coping skills, universal values in the definition of mental health. Sexual rights are a constitutive part of sexual health. There is no comparative element in the definition of mental health (e.g. the rights of mentally disabled persons).

These two definitions can have different effects on the prophylaxis and therapy of patients. It all depends on the specific context of care (sexology or psychiatry). Sometimes universal values matter and sometimes not. This is contradictory. Consistency is needed between definitions and practices.

Sexual dysfunction is a common side effect of external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) and androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) to treat prostate cancer. Men are likely to experience erectile dysfunction, low libido, ejaculatory problems and penile shortening. This qualitative study explored men’s perceptions of sexual dysfunction, including factors such as self-perception, relationships and information and support needs.

Semi-structured interviews were carried out with n = 8 men living 18–30 months after EBRT ± ADT. The interviews were transcribed and thematic analysis was carried out.

All men experienced sexual dysfunction following treatment. The main themes arising were: (i) priorities—sexual issues were not a priority when making treatment decisions, (ii) information and support—men described a lack of information and support about sexual dysfunction and (iii) impact—sexual dysfunction impacted on their self-perception and relationships.

Men undergoing EBRT/ADT for prostate cancer may be affected by post-treatment changes in sexual function in a range of ways. This study suggests that they would benefit from early and wide-ranging information and support on sexual dysfunction, even if they do not consider it as a priority. Candid discussions about self-perception and relationships, as well as physical changes, may equip them to cope with post-treatment changes.

The aim of this study was to explore the role and activities of the school nursing service in sexual health within a large inner London borough.

School nurses (SNs) are specialist community public health nurses working with the school age population to promote their health and well-being and therefore are arguably in a prime position to promote the sexual health of children and young people. This is particularly pertinent in inner city boroughs where the rates of sexually transmitted infections and under-18 conceptions are a significant problem.

Following a review of the literature, a mixed methods study was undertaken which included an audit of documentary data to identify the referrals received in relation to sexual health and also included questionnaire surveys of school staff and SNs on their views of the role of the SN in sexual health.

SNs and school staff identified that SNs have a role in sexual health, which was reflected in the referrals received during the audit of documentary data. There appeared to be inconsistencies across the service and evidence suggested that the school nursing service may be underutilised in comparison to the number of students who require sexual health support. The current service appears to be predominantly reactive, particularly for males and those less than 12 years old. However, both SNs and school staff would like to see a more preventative approach; including greater sexual health promotion, condom distribution and school health clinics.

This paper reports on the findings from a qualitative study exploring the experiences of teenage mothers using a nurse-led, home-based contraceptive service designed to prevent repeat unplanned pregnancies. The aim was to understand if, and how the service was effective in equipping teenage mothers to make informed choices about contraception, thus preventing a second pregnancy.

Unplanned teenage pregnancy remains a significant focus of health and social policy in the United Kingdom (UK). Despite the long-term pattern of declining conception rates, the UK continues to report higher rates than comparable countries elsewhere in Europe. Current estimates suggest that approximately one fifth of births amongst under 18’s are repeat pregnancies (Teenage Pregnancy Independent Advisory Group, 2009). Services that are designed to reduce second unplanned pregnancies are an important element in promoting teenage sexual health. However, there has been no UK research that explores this kind of service and the experiences of service users.

We conducted a qualitative interview study. From 2013–2014 we interviewed 40 teenage mothers who had engaged with the nurse-led, home-based contraceptive service.

The data demonstrates that the service was effective in preventing repeat pregnancies in a number of cases. Among the aspects of the service which were found to contribute to its effectiveness were privacy, convenience, flexibility, appropriately timed access, the non-judgemental attitude of staff and ongoing support.