Many forms of mental disorders, especially psychotic disorders are characterized also by a worsening of sexual functioning. Sexual dysfunction has been shown to significantly correlate with a longer duration of untreated psychosis and with heavier psychotic symptomatology.

The aim of this study is to validate the Italian version of the Arizona Sexual Experience (ASEX), a very handy and reliable tool to assess sexual dysfunction, in a population of people suffering from psychotic spectrum disorders.

Seventy-three psychiatric patients were recruited and assessed for mental illness and sexual functioning. We administered the Italian version of ASEX, adequately translated by two expert bilinguals. After 15 days we administered once again the test for test-retest reliability.

Validation of ASEX revealed Cronbach’s coefficients >0.70 in both single items as in the total score. In addition, the test-retest reliability revealed Pearson’s coefficients >0.50 in the various domains. Confirmatory factor analysis revealed good fit indexes for the two factors model of ASEX (SRMR=0.54; CFI=0.974; RMSEA=0.135).

This study represents the first validation in the Italian psychiatric context of a very useful specific tool for the sexual assessment in people suffering from mental illness. Our analysis revealed good psychometric characteristics in terms of confirmatory factor analysis, internal consistency, and test-retest reliability.

No significant relationships.

Bipolar Disorder(BD) is a common,severe and recurrent disease with significant effects on functionality. Residual symptoms such as sleep disturbance and sexual dysfunction are defined as predictors of poor functioning in remission.

The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between sleep disorder and severity of sexual dysfunction in patients with BD in remission.

The study was conducted with 100 female and 100 male BD patients in remission. The sociodemographic and clinical characteristics were recorded by interview with the patients and the patients were given the Young Mania Rating Scale(YMRS),Hamilton Depression Rating Scale(HAM-D),Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index(PSQI),Epworth Sleepiness Scale(ESS),Female Sexual Function Scale(FSFI) and International Index of Erectile Function(IIFF-15)for the assesment of symptom severity.

The frequency of “sleep disorder” was 45.5% and the frequency of ’’daytime sleepiness’’ was 5.5%.In women the mean FSFI score was 26.06±5.14 and sexual dysfunction frequency was 48%.In men,the mean IIEF score was 59.63±8.34 and erectile dysfunction frequency was 56%. There was a statistically significant negative correlation between total FSFI score with HAM-D(r=-0.592, p <0.001),ESS (r=-0.330, p=0.001)and PSQI(r=-0.557, p<0.001)and between total IIEF score with HAM-D(r=-0.509, p<0.001),ESS(r=-0.361, p<0.001)and PSQI(r=-0.511,p<0.001). Sexual function scores in both women and men with sleep problems were significantly lower than those without sleep problems(23.56±4.71vs.28.56±4.31and53.88±7.10vs.63.80±6.56 respectively). Multiple linear regression analysis also showed that total sleep quality scores were an effective factor on sexual function in women(OR:2.74,%95CI[0,799-0,127];p=0,007) and men(OR:2.45, %95CI[1.577-0.164];p=0,016) with BD.

There was an increased incidence of sexual dysfunction in bipolar patients with sleep disorders.Treatment of sleep disorders is important for improving sexual function in bipolar patients for both genders.

No significant relationships.

Sexual dysfunction (SD) is prevalent among psychiatric patients than general population.

To assess the SD and quality of life (QOL) of patients with schizophrenia, and to identify the factors associated with it.

This was a cross-sectional, descriptive and analytical study, which began in December 2019, conducted with 60 subjects followed for SCZ or SAD, at the psychiatry outpatient unit of the Hédi Chaker University Hospital in Sfax (Tunisia). General, clinical and therapeutic data were collected using a pre-established questionnaire. The Arizona Sexual Experiences Scale (ASEX) and the 36 item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) were used to evaluate subjective sexual dysfunction and QOL respectively.

Patients enrolled had SCZ in 78.2% and SAD in 21.8% of cases. The mean age was 47.2 years. Psychiatric family history, the presence of personal somatic illnesses and tobacco use were found in 43.6%, 61.8% and 67.3% of cases, respectively. The average score of ASEX was 18.21. QOL was altered in 73.3% of participants with an SGM of 53.29. The psychic component was more altered than the physical one with average scores estimated respectively at 48 and 58.44. Participants with SD were more likely to have tobacco consumption (p= 0.025), history of suicide attempt (p=0.023) and they are treated by a combination of several treatments (p=0.025). Impaired QOL was not statistically correlated with SD (p=0.5)

The physicians should pay attention to SD during the assessment and treatment of patients with schizophrenia.

No significant relationships.

There are no comprehensive studies on sexual dysfunctions among people with paroxysmal and persistent atrial fibrillation after excluding concomitant somatic and mental disorders, even though their presence has a significant impact on observed changes in sexual activity and behaviour. Most of the available studies among males are focused on erectile dysfunction due to well established relationship of it with the occurrence of cardiovascular disorders in the future.

The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of sexual disorders among male patients treated for paroxysmal and persistent atrial fibrillation.

The study group included 54 men diagnosed with paroxysmal and persistent atrial fibrillation, qualified for electrical cardioversion and/or ablation of circumferential pulmonary vein, not burdened with additional somatic diseases. The control group consisted of 55 men matched in terms of sex, age and health condition. The study used standard CSFQ-14 sexuality assessment questionnaires, and the WHOQoL-BREF quality of life survey. Mental status examination was performed to exclude those with mental disorders, currently or in the past receiving psychiatric and/or addiction treatment.

The analysis of the survey studies showed that among the surveyed men with paroxysmal and persistent atrial fibrillation, the prevalence of sexual problems is high (61.1% study group vs 47.3% control group). There were significant differences between the study group with lower sexual function scores in pleasure, desire/interest, arousal/erection, orgasm/ejaculation, and in the overall CSFQ-14’s score. The desire/frequency ratio did not differ between the groups.

Comprehensive care requires the assessment of sexual satisfaction and the presence of possible dysfunctions using standardized tools.

No significant relationships.

This critical review of the literature seeks to understand the psychological impact that treatment interventions may have on prostate cancer (PC) survivors.

A literature search was conducted using databases of peer-reviewed literature. The search terms used were devised using the building-blocks technique to divide the query into facets. The articles were manually assessed for relevance and appraised using the relevant Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) tool. Government guidelines and regulations were also used following a manual search on the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) website. This process resulted in a total of 12 sources being included in the critical review.

The key themes that arose from the review were masculinity, depression, anxiety and psychological implications related to sexual functioning. Psychological impact varies on an individual basis and is influenced by the quality of a patient’s experience during and after treatment in relation to sufficient information giving and support.

Open communication should be encouraged by healthcare professionals to assess patient mental wellbeing. The extent of psychological impact varies on an individual basis; however, there are predictive factors that can make an individual more at risk of being affected psychologically post-PC treatment.

According to psychoanalytic theory performing circumcision on a boy in phallic phase may aggravate this fear and cause sexual dysfunctions later in life. However this hypothesis is an unverified common-view rather than a scientifically proven conclusion.

We hypothesized that being circumcised during phallic phase is not a risk factor for sexual dysfunction. We also took a peak at how the experience of circumcision is being perceived and its psychological effects. Our secondary hypothesis was, sexual dysfunctions are more frequent among men who had a traumatic circumcision experience.

For this cross-sectional study, a total of 2768 sexually active, circumcised and voluntary men were recruited from 20 different urology outpatient clinics around Turkey.

There was no significant difference for PEDT and IIEF scores between participants who were circumcised at different ages (Graph-1,2). When participants were divided into 3 groups according to their circumcision age in accordance with psychoanalytic theory (before, after and during phallic phase) mean IIEF and PEDT scores did not differ. PEDT scores did not differ either by which emotion the participant describe their experience of circumcision or how vividly he remembered it. However participants who remembered their circumcision experience more vividly and had who describe their circumcision experience with fear/anxiety had a higher IIEF score (Graph-3).

The age of circumcision does not affect the risk of PE. This is one of the very few studies that challenges psychoanalytic theory with a scientific method. Remembering the circumcision experience with fear or anxiety did not increase the risk of sexual dysfunctions.

Post-traumatic stress disorder affects emotional, social and professional functioning. It can also affect physical and sexual health.

The aim of this study is to write down the prevalence of sexual dysfunction in men with PTSD and to economize on potential predictors of sexual dysfunction.

A total of 30 male patients with PTSD were included in this study. We collected socio-demographic and clinical data and we used Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PCLS) and International Erectile Function Index (IIEF15) scales.

The mean PTSD severity score was 65.43 ± 2.95. The mean score for revitalization, avoidance, cognitive and mood alteration, and hypervigilance were 15.80 ± 1.44, respectively; 8 ± 0; 24.07 ± 1.20 and 17.57 ± 2.95. The mean IIEF-15 score was 51.16 ± 6.82. The mean sub-scores were 3.93 ± 0.52 for sexual desire; 18.80 ± 5.68 for erectile function; 8.93 ± 8.97 for orgasmic function; 5.13 ± 1.10 for satisfaction with intercourses and 4.13 ± 1.16 for overall satisfaction. The IIEF15-EF score was negatively correlated with the presence of a personal medical history (p = 0.02) and the impairment cognitions and mood score (p = 0.023). The IIEF-OF score was significantly associated with reviviscence, hypervigilance, cognition and mood alterations (p = 0.015; 0.041; 0.045). The IIEF-15 SD score was negatively correlated with altered cognition and mood (p = 0.007).

Our study focused on the importance of assessing sexual function in men followed for PTSD and helps to understand the association of PTSD with different types of sexual dysfunction.

Problems in sexual function associated with psychotropic drugs in adolescents with psychotic disorders are common in clinical practice. However, they are usually not taken into account in follow-up and are rarely reported by patients.

1. To analyze if there is sexual dysfunction in adolencents with antipsychotic treatment. 2. To assess the degree of sexual dysfunction.

Descriptive study in psychiatric outpatient clinics involving 14 men (aged 16 to 19) with antipsychotic treatment. Record prospectively through interviews between 2 and 4 months from the start of treatment. Sexual function was evaluated with the questionnaire SALSEX Informed consent.

Initially, no sexual dysfunction scores are obtained. At 4 months, records of sexual dysfunction were observed in 67% of the patients with less impact in those with aripiprazole as antipsychotic treatment, with a moderate intensity (mean score 8.2; SD 4.7). 33% of cases report the problem spontaneously. Breaking down the reasons for sexual dysfunction: 50% decrease in libido, 20% delay in ejaculation and 7% impotence. The global tolerance to sexual dysfunction was poor, 45% with ideas to abandon treatment.

In our experience, sexual dysfunction is one of the main causes that make young patients abandon treatment and even follow-up. For what we consider, it is very relevant to systematically evaluate and be able to quantify this vital aspect of our patients, which on many occasions is not addressed in the consultation. Likewise, it will be necessary in future studies to describe in detail the psychotropic drugs associated with sexual dysfunction for better management and dose adjustment.

Exploring the ways in which sexual fantasies may affect sexual experience and satisfaction is of relavence in the clinical setting involving sexual dysfuntion.

To observe how the sexual fantasy scores differ in their relationship with sexual satisfaction, experience and quality between sexual dysfunction cases and normal controls.

Scales included: Wilson’s sex fantasy questionnaire (WSFQ), Arizona Sexual Experience Scale (ASEX), Sexual Quality of life Questionnaire (SQoL), and a subjective sexual satisfaction meter. Differences in resposes of both groups on WSFQ (item-wise and domain-wise) were analysed using T-tests. Two-way ANOVA was applied to see how other scales affected sexual fantasy.

Cases scored significantly higher on ASEX scale, and low on satisfaction, SQoL and WSFQ

Majority of WSFQ responses, both in cases and controls, fell in the intimate and impersonal domains. Sexual fantasy scores and sexual satisfaction had a strong positive and significant correlation in controls but no linear correlation in the case-subjects. sexual fantasy scores contributed to 5.7% of difference in the scores of SQoL between groups. Major variance in scores of satisfaction in our subjects depended on presence or absence of sexual dysfunction(46.5%)but sexual fantasies also contributed to 8.8% of the variance.

The study showed that fantasies contribute to positive sexual outcomes only in absence of sexual dysfunction. ANOVAanalysis revealed that in case-subjects sexual satisfaction briefly increases initially with increase in fantasy scores but starts to decline as fantasies increase.

No significant relationships.