A neural circuit for male sexual behavior and reward.

Male sexual behavior is innate and rewarding. Despite its centrality to reproduction, a molecularly specified neural circuit governing innate male sexual behavior and reward remains to be characterized. We have discovered a developmentally wired neural circuit necessary and sufficient for male mating. This circuit connects chemosensory input to BNSTprTac1 neurons, which innervate POATacr1 neurons that project to centers regulating motor output and reward. Epistasis studies demonstrate that BNSTprTac1 neurons are upstream of POATacr1 neurons, and BNSTprTac1-released substance P following mate recognition potentiates activation of POATacr1 neurons through Tacr1 to initiate mating. Experimental activation of POATacr1 neurons triggers mating, even in sexually satiated males, and it is rewarding, eliciting dopamine release and self-stimulation of these cells. Together, we have uncovered a neural circuit that governs the key aspects of innate male sexual behavior: motor displays, drive, and reward.

Longitudinal changes in sexual desire and attraction among women who started using the Natural Cycles app.

Many women experience sexual side effects, such as decreased libido, when taking hormonal contraceptives (HCs). However, little is known about the extent to which libido recovers after discontinuing HCs, nor about the timeframe in which recovery is expected to occur. Given that HCs suppress the activities of multiple endogenous hormones that regulate both the ovulatory cycle and women's sexual function, resumption of cycles should predict libido recovery. Here, using a combination of repeated and retrospective measures, we examined changes in sexual desire and partner attraction (among partnered women) across a three-month period in a sample of Natural Cycles users (Survey 1: n = 1596; Survey 2: n = 550) who recently discontinued HCs. We also tested whether changes in these outcomes coincided with resumption of the ovulatory cycle and whether they were associated with additional factors related to HC use (e.g., duration of HC use) or relationship characteristics (e.g., relationship length). Results revealed that both sexual desire and partner attraction, on average, increased across three months after beginning to use Natural Cycles. While the prediction that changes in sexual desire would co-occur with cycle resumption was supported, there was also evidence that libido continued to increase even after cycles resumed. Together, these results offer new insights into relationships between HC discontinuation and women's sexual psychology and lay the groundwork for future research exploring the mechanisms underlying these effects.

Systemic testosterone for the treatment of female sexual interest and arousal disorder (FSIAD) in the postmenopause.

INTRODUCTION: Female sexual interest and arousal disorder (FSIAD) is the most prevalent female sexual dysfunction in the postmenopause. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this review is to provide a summary of the currently available evidence on the use of testosterone in the treatment of FSIAD in postmenopausal women. METHODS: A narrative review on the topic was performed. Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and systematic reviews and meta-analysis were considered. 123 articles were screened, 105 of them assessed for eligibility, and finally 9 were included in qualitative synthesis following the PRISMA declaration. RESULTS: Current evidence recommends, with moderate therapeutic benefit, the use of systemic transdermal testosterone within the premenopausal physiological range in postmenopausal women with Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD), the previous entity for low desire dysfunction, not primarily related to modifiable factors or comorbidities such as relationship or mental health problems. The available evidence is based on studies with heterogeneity on their design (different testosterone doses, routes of administration, testosterone use in combination and alone, sexual instruments of measurement). There is no data indicating severe short-term adverse effects, although long-term safety data is lacking. CONCLUSIONS: Despite having testosterone as a valuable tool, therapeutic strategies are lacking in the pharmacological field of HSDD/FSIAD. Neuroimaging studies could provide valuable information regarding the sexual desire substrate and suggest the potential application of already approved drugs for women with a good safety profile. The use of validated instruments for HSDD in postmenopausal women, considering the level of distress, is necessary to be able to draw robust conclusions on the evaluated treatments.

Oral supplementation with Scabiosa artropurperea L. aqueous extract improves the in vivo sexual behaviour, sperm quality and androgen level in rams.

The effects of an aqueous extract of Scabiosa atropurpurea L. (AES) on the reproduction potential of Queue Fine de l'Ouest rams were evaluated over 9 weeks. Eighteen mature (4-6 years old) rams (52.8 ± 2.6 kg) were divided into three groups. The control (C) group was fed oat hay ad libitum with 700 g of concentrate and the other two groups were fed the same diet supplemented with AES at 1 and 2 mg/kg body weight (AES1 and AES2, respectively). Ram sperm was collected with an artificial vagina (2 × 2 days/week) to evaluate sperm production and quality, antioxidant activity, the adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and calcium concentrations. Sexual behaviour and plasma testosterone concentrations were also investigated. The administration of AES improved sexual behaviour (the duration of contact and the number of lateral approaches). The addition of AES also improved individual spermatozoa motility (C: 71.7% ± 6.3%; AES1: 78.3% ± 4.9%; AES2: 83.8% ± 4.4%), the sperm concentration (C: 5.6 ± 0.36; AES1: 6.4 ± 0.81; AES2: 6.7 ± 0.52 × 109 spermatozoa/mL), the ATP ratio (C: 1 ± 0.08; AES1: 2.1 ± 0.08; AES2: 3.3 ± 0.08) and the calcium concentration (C: 5.6 ± 0.24; AES1: 7.7 ± 0.21; AES2: 8.1 ± 0.24 mmol/L). AES treatment decreased the percentage of abnormal sperm (C: 18.5% ± 1.2%; AES1: 16.2% ± 1.1%; AES2: 14.8% ± 0.94%) and DNA damage (C: 62%; AES1: 27%; AES2: 33%) and was associated with elevated seminal fluid antioxidant activity (C: 22 ± 0.27; AES1: 27.1 ± 1.08 and AES2: 27.5 ± 0.36 mmol Trolox equivalents/L) and plasma testosterone (C: 8.3 ± 0.7; AES1: 11.7 ± 0.4; AES2: 15 ± 0.7 ng/L). In conclusion, our study suggests that S. atropurpurea may be potentially useful to enhance libido and sperm production and quality in ram.

The use of a pill containing ethinylestradiol-norgestimate improves female sexuality despite the decrease in circulating androgens: a pilot study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the initial impact of a combined oral contraceptive (COC) containing norgestimate (NGM) on female sexuality and on circulating androgen levels in users. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Six months modification in the McCoy Female Sexuality Questionnaire (MFSQ) and testosterone (T) and dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS) serum levels in women starting a monophasic pill containing ethinyl-estradiol (EE) 35 µg and NGM 0.250 mg. RESULTS: The study was completed by 36 subjects. There was a significant increase in MFSQ during treatment (p < 0.0001) (and its domains with the exclusion of vaginal lubrication domain) with concomitant decreases in T (-4.45%, p < 0.0001) and DHEAS (-19.41%, p < 0.0001) serum levels. CONCLUSIONS: Contraception with EE/NGM was associated with a short term non-deteriorating effect on sexuality despite the evident decrease in androgen levels. Female sexuality during COC use is a complex topic and is not only linked with changes in serum androgen levels.

EE/NGM treatment has a short term non-deteriorating effect on sexuality despite the evident decrease in androgen serum levels.

[The role of seminal vesicles in male sexual function].

The seminal vesicle is an important accessory gland of the male reproductive system. In the past, some scholars focused more on its role in the fertilization process and neglected its relationship with male sexual function. Researches show that the seminal vesicle is involved in multiple processes such as sexual desire, penile erection, and ejaculation. Treatment of sexual dysfunction by medication targeting the seminal vesicle has achieved certain therapeutic effects. This article discusses the relationship between the seminal vesicle and sexual function in terms of physiopathology, clinical study and basic research, hoping to provide some new ideas on the clinical diagnosis and treatment of sexual dysfunction.

A qualitative analysis of female Reddit users' experiences with low libido: how do women perceive their changes in sexual desire?

BACKGROUND: The true prevalence of low sexual desire among women is disputed among researchers due to the complex nature and presentation of women's sexual problems. AIM: To qualitatively analyze the aspects of libido/sexual desire frequently discussed by Reddit users and compare them with the current understanding of female sexual well-being and sexual desire disorders. METHODS: By using the Reddit application programming interface, the TwoXChromosomes subreddit was queried for posts with the keywords libido and sex drive. Posts that were deleted or unrelated to themes of libido/sex drive were excluded. A total of 85 threads-63 queried from the keyword libido and 22 from sex drive-and approximately 2900 comments were qualitatively analyzed per the grounded theory approach. Five independent researchers read and coded each thread to identify dominant themes and emergent concepts. OUTCOMES: Outcomes of interest included codes related to sexual dysfunction, libido, orgasm, masturbation, types of sex, psychology, relationships, intimacy, treatment, medications, and health care. RESULTS: Posters were primarily heterosexual women in their 20s and 30s. The code categories with the highest frequency were relationships (22.7%, n = 272), libido (22.2%, n = 210), psychological (20.2%, n = 191), medications (7.29%, n = 69), and intimacy (6.0%, n = 57). Users frequently described a decrease in libido secondary to medications, particularly antidepressants and hormonal birth control. Many users discussed the challenges of navigating a relationship with low sexual desire and the resulting sexual distress. Posters described feelings of sadness, anxiety, and guilt due to their low desire. Additionally, users discussed the role that sex plays in relationships, whether as a way to develop intimacy between partners or to achieve orgasm. Finally, posters expressed dissatisfaction with health care addressing their concerns surrounding sexual desire. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: The study findings-namely, the impact of medications on sexual health, the interaction of sexual desire and mental health, and cited examples of inadequate sexual health care-can help guide sexual well-being research, diagnosis, and public policy. STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS: Using Reddit as a data source allowed for the analysis of women's experiences outside the preestablished concepts of female sexual desire. Limitations to the study include the potential for posts to be deleted by moderator guidelines, the young demographic distribution of Reddit users, and the popularity-based structure of subreddit threads. CONCLUSION: Our results emphasize the psychosocial aspects of sexual desire and the need to redefine sexual problems to encompass the complex nature of female sexual well-being.

A virtual, group-based mindfulness intervention for midlife and older women with low libido lowers sexual distress in a randomized controlled pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Distressing low libido is common among women and has significant negative impacts; mindfulness has shown promise to increase sexual desire in women with low libido, but existing interventions are not tailored to midlife and older women. AIM: We adapted a mindfulness intervention to meet the needs of this population and conducted a pilot randomized controlled trial to assess feasibility and acceptability. METHODS: Women aged ≥45 years with low libido were randomized to the mindfulness intervention or an education group that met over videoconferencing. The intervention included mindfulness instruction and practice, group discussion, and education on sexuality and aging. The education group included general information on menopause and health. OUTCOMES: We defined feasibility by the number of screened women who enrolled and completed their group. We defined acceptability as satisfaction with the group and likelihood of recommending it to another woman with low libido. We assessed sexual function (Female Sexual Function Index) and sexual distress (Female Sexual Distress Scale-Revised) at 6 weeks postconclusion. RESULTS: Of 81 women screened, 31 were randomized to mindfulness and 30 to education. Eighteen women in the intervention group and 23 in the control group attended at least 1 session. Time conflict was the main reason for nonattendance. Of the 41 women who started attending groups, 37 (90%) attended at least 5 sessions. In the mindfulness group, 73% of women were very or extremely satisfied. Women in the mindfulness group were more likely to recommend it to another person with low libido as compared with those in the education group (P = .031); 67% said that they would probably or definitely recommend it. There were no significant changes in sexual function in either group (mean Female Sexual Function Index score, 22.6 to 18.6 [P = .101] with mindfulness and 21.2 to 19.7 [P = .537] with education). Women in the mindfulness group had significant improvements in sexual distress (mean Female Sexual Distress Scale-Revised score, 27.1 to 19.7; P = .021) while women in the education group did not (19.0 to 15.8; P = .062). CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Mindfulness may reduce sexual distress in older women with low libido. STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS: This is the first trial testing mindfulness for midlife and older women with low libido. CONCLUSION: A virtual mindfulness intervention for midlife and older women with low libido is feasible and acceptable and appears to improve sexual distress as compared with an education control; these findings provide data that can be used to design a larger clinical trial.

Mixed Study Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Sexuality and Sexual Rehabilitation in LGBTQI+ Adults Living With Chronic Disease.

OBJECTIVE: To systematically review how sexuality is experienced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, intersex plus (other gender identifies and sexual orientations) (LGBTQI+) persons living with chronic disease. DATA SOURCES: PsycINFO, Embase, MEDLINE, Scopus, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health, and Web of Science were searched from date of inception to November 2021 for English language publications. Reference lists of relevant publications were also searched. STUDY SELECTION: Eligible studies reported on sexuality among LGBTQI+ persons living with chronic disease. The search yielded 12,626 records; 665 full texts were assessed for eligibility and 63 documents included (59 unique studies). Study quality was rated using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. DATA EXTRACTION: Characteristics of included studies were recorded independently by 2 authors. Differences were resolved through discussion or with a third author. DATA SYNTHESIS: A sequential, exploratory mixed-studies approach was used for synthesis. Pooled analysis indicated that among gay and bisexual men living with prostate cancer, 68.3% experienced erectile dysfunction and 62.9% had insufficient quality of erection to engage in anal sex. Among gay and bisexual men living with HIV or AIDS, 29.3% experienced loss of libido and 25.3% experienced erectile dysfunction. Although sexual dysfunction was common, LGBTQI+ persons had difficulty accessing appropriate sexual counseling and identified negative attitudes and heteronormative assumptions by health care providers as significant barriers to sexual health. Interventions to address sexuality focused entirely on reduction of risky sexual behavior among men living with HIV or AIDS. Women, transgender persons, and intersex persons were largely excluded from the research studies. CONCLUSIONS: Current understandings of the effect of chronic disease on LGBTQI+ sexuality are limited and mostly focus on the male sexual response. LGBTQI+ persons who experience difficulty with sexuality struggle to identify appropriate services, and there is an absence of evidence-based interventions to promote sexual health and well-being in this population.

[Cross-sectional analysis of libido status and risk factors in male patients with chronic headache].

OBJECTIVE: Exploring the libido status of male chronic headache patients and analyzing its relationship with headache symptoms, sleep, anxiety, and depression, providing reference for the comprehensive treatment of male chronic headache. METHODS: 179 patients with chronic headache who visited the Third Affiliated Hospital of Qiqihar Medical College from January 2022 to February 2023 were selected. The male Self Rated Libido Scale , Visual Analog Scale for Pain, Migraine Disability Assessment Scale, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale-7, and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 were used to evaluate the libido status, headache severity, disability level, sleep quality, anxiety, and depression of the research subjects, respectively. RESULTS: Among 179 male chronic headache patients, 97 were chronic migraine (CM) patients and 82 were chronic tension type (CTT) patients, and 47 were screened for low libido. The influencing factors of libido in male chronic headache patients include age, smoking, frequency of exercise, course of disease, severity of pain, frequency of headache, disability score, sleep quality, anxiety and depression (all P<0.05). Compared with male CTT patients, male CM patients have higher pain severity, headache frequency, disability score, and anxiety score, while lower libido score (all P<0.05). The results of multivariate analysis showed that age, frequency of exercise, course of disease, severity of pain, frequency of headache, degree of disability, sleep quality, anxiety, and depression were the influencing factors for the decline of libido in male chronic headache patients. CONCLUSION: It is common for male chronic headache patients to experience decreased libido, with male chronic migraine (CM) patients exhibiting more severe reductions. Advanced age, decreased physical activity, longer disease duration, severe pain intensity, frequent headaches, higher disability levels, poor sleep, anxiety, and depression are risk factors for decreased libido in male chronic headache patients.

Clinical characteristics and comorbidities associated with testosterone prescribing in men.

OBJECTIVE: Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) is recommended for the treatment of symptomatic hypogonadism in men. Data on prescription behaviours are, however, limited and conflicting. The objective of this study was to investigate clinical characteristics associated with the likelihood of being prescribed TRT by general practitioners (GP) in North-West London (NWL). DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study using Discover database of GP-registered patients in NWL between 2015 and 2019. PATIENTS: We identified 20,299 men aged ≥18 years with serum total testosterone measurement (TT) and without prior TRT prescription records. MEASUREMENTS: We determined whether TRT was subsequently commenced, while analysing clinical characteristics related to hypogonadism. RESULTS: Of all men having TT measurement, 19,583 (96.4%) were not commenced on TRT (Group A) and 716 (3.5%) men were commenced on TRT (Group B). Men prescribed TRT (Group B) had higher mean age, body mass index (BMI) and higher risks of hypertension, depression type 2 diabetes and ischaemic heart disease; conversely, men in Group B had lower mean pretreatment TT and were less likely to have prostate cancer. Four-hundred and thirty-six men (24.3%) with TT < 8 nmol/L and symptoms of low libido were not prescribed TRT. CONCLUSIONS: Our study highlights several factors which may influence the decisions made by clinicians when initiating TRT in primary care. Clearer guidance for clinicians may help to improve the consistency of treatment of men with hypogonadism.

Sexual dysfunction among males and females with bipolar disorder and healthy subjects: The burden of illness severity.

OBJECTIVES: Sexual dysfunction has wide-ranging impacts on the person's functioning and quality of life, being associated with higher severity of psychiatric illnesses and poor therapeutic response. Given the paucity of data on this topic in bipolar disorder (BD), we investigated sexual functioning among males and females with BD and healthy controls (HCs) as well as whether illness severity markers and subthreshold mood symptoms were associated with sexual dysfunctions in BD patients. METHODS: The study included 80 BD outpatients and 70 HCs. Sexual functioning was evaluated using the validated, gender-specific Changes in Sexual Functioning Questionnaire (CSFQ-14). RESULTS: BD patients had a significantly poorer sexual functioning than HCs (p < 0.00001). The odds of sexual dysfunction doubled given a one-unit increase in the number of suicide attempts (adjusted OR = 2.01, 95% CI:1.23-3.55; p < 0.01) and increased by 60% for every additional hospitalization (p < 0.05). Greater illness duration was associated with arousal/orgasmic (p < 0.05) and overall sexual dysfunctions (p < 0.01). BD patients with more mixed or (hypo)manic episodes had a lower likelihood of libido loss and arousal/orgasmic disturbances (p < 0.01), respectively. Higher levels of subthreshold depressive symptoms increased by 20% the odds of sexual interest/frequency dysfunctions (p < 0.05), and up to 60% regarding orgasmic disturbances (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Sexual functioning may be a useful proxy of illness severity as well as a relevant dimension to more deeply characterize BD patients. Further studies are warranted to replicate our findings, to evaluate temporal associations between sexual dysfunctions and illness severity across the BD mood and treatment spectrums and to explore neurobiological underpinnings of these associations.

The impact of smoking on sexual function.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the hypothesis that there is an improvement in sexual function following smoking cessation (as smoking is a well-established risk factor for sexual dysfunction), we analysed the association between cigarette smoking and smoking cessation with sexual function among participants of the REduction by DUtasteride of prostate Cancer Events (REDUCE) study. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We analysed baseline data of 6754 men, aged 50-75 years divided into: lifelong non-smokers, former smokers, and current smokers. We examined total testosterone (TT, normal range ≥10 nmol/L) and sexual function variables: self-reported sexual activity, low libido, and erectile dysfunction (ED). Differences between current vs non-smokers and former vs current smokers were analysed using the chi-square test, linear and logistic regressions. RESULTS: A total of 3069 (45.4%) men were non-smokers, 2673 (39.6%) former smokers, and 1012 (15%) current smokers. Current smokers were significantly younger than former and non-smokers (mean age 61.6, 63.2, and 62.7 years, respectively), leaner (mean body mass index 27.0, 27.7, and 27.2 kg/m2 , respectively), and had less hypertension (32.4%, 41.6%, and 36.8%, respectively; all P < 0.01). In uni- and multivariable analysis, current smokers had higher mean TT than non-smokers (485.4 vs 451.2 nmol/L, P < 0.001), higher prevalence of low libido (25.6% vs 21.0%, P = 0.002) and ED (31.6% vs 26.0%, P < 0.001) with comparable sexual activity (81.7% vs 82.8%, P = 0.420). In multivariable analysis, former smokers had statistically significantly less prevalence of low libido (odds ratio [OR] 0.8, P = 0.013) and ED (OR 0.8, P = 0.006) compared to current smokers. CONCLUSION: Cigarette smoking was associated with worse sexual health compared to non-smokers, while former smokers had better erectile function and libido than current smokers. Smoking cessation may improve male sexual health and counselling on smoking cessation may be considered at the time of sexual health evaluations.

Sexual dysfunction in patients with late complications of hypospadias surgery.

Most hypospadias cases are successfully treated in childhood. Still, patients with sequelae of failed hypospadias repair and sexual dysfunction may be encountered. We evaluated 112 patients with a history of failed hypospadias repair, defined as the presence of voiding symptoms or cosmetic problems remaining despite previous surgery or caused by it. Patients' median age was 29.5 years (range: 18-62). There were no intersex cases. Only 9.8% (11/112) underwent single attempt at surgical reconstruction, the median number of attempts was 3.5 (range: 1-9). Patients with IIEF-EF score ≤25 were considered to have erectile dysfunction; those with IIEF-EF ≤16 underwent penile doppler ultrasound, penile electromyography and endocrine assessment. About 64.2% of patients (72/112) were dissatisfied with penile appearance, 40.2% (45/112) had ED, 71.4% (80/112) had ejaculation disorders. Psychogenic ED was diagnosed in 21 patients with preserved non-coital erections and no evidence of organic ED. Median IIEF-EF in ED patients was 20 (range: 8-25). Asthenic ejaculation, delayed ejaculation and anejaculation were present in 63.4% (71/112), 7.1% (8/112) and 3.5% (4/112) patients respectively. Premature ejaculation was present in 28.6% (32/112) patients, but its association with hypospadias or previous surgery is unlikely.

Cloprostenol enhances sexual behaviour and semen quality in growing lambs more effectively than Dinoprost.

Analogues of PGF2α have been used in boars with positive results on sexual behaviour, but limited impact on semen quality. The objective of this study was to determine whether the administration of Dinoprost tromethamine or D-Cloprostenol enhances the sexual behaviour and semen quality of sexually inexperienced growing lambs during the onset of the breeding season. The study lasted 10 weeks, beginning during the non-breeding season, with 24 sexually inexperienced Katahdin lambs (5.1 ± 0.5 months old). Three groups of eight lambs each received: (1) vehicle treatment (group CON); (2) 10 mg of Dinoprost tromethamine (group DIN); or (3) 0.15 mg of Cloprostenol dextrogy (group CLOP). The treatments were all applied im 5 min before the tests of sexual behaviour, or 20 min before the collection of semen. Sexual behaviour was evaluated twice weekly in a pen test with a non-oestrous ewe, and semen was collected once weekly with an artificial vagina. The latency to begin courtship was significantly shorter in both groups that received analogues of PGF2α than in CON lambs. The number of ano-genital sniffs, flehmens and lateral approaches was greater in both treated groups than in CON lambs (p < .05). Lambs from DIN group mounted significantly more than CLOP and CON lambs, which did not differ. However, CLOP lambs showed significantly greater mating efficiency (i.e. ejaculations/total mounts) than CON lambs, which exhibited significantly greater mating efficiency that DIN lambs. Lambs treated with CLOP produced significantly more semen volume with more mass motility than those treated with DIN and CON (without differences between DIN and CON). Overall, we concluded that the administration of cloprostenol or dinoprost before sexual evaluation in young rams enhances their sexual behaviour. Cloprostenol had greater effects than dinoprost. The administration of cloprostenol before semen collection also triggered the ejaculation of a greater volume of semen, with greater mass motility. These results open interesting possibilities to study deeply the use of simple and cost-effective treatments to improve the reproductive results of young growing rams.

Sexual behavior and seminal characteristics of Brahman bulls in the Colombian tropical flooded savanna: effects of reproductive management systems and climatic periods.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the seminal traits and sexual behaviors of mature Brahman bulls in a multi-sire system during mating or resting seasons and different climatic periods of the year at the Colombian flooded savannas. Thirty-two Brahman bulls, suitable for reproduction, were used, which were subjected to breeding soundness evaluation, as well as the libido and service capacity tests. Such evaluations were compared among different seasons of the year in relation to the rainfall. Libido and service capacity tests were carried out in paddock for 12 continuous hours. Scrotal circumference and all seminal traits were not influenced by the mating or rest seasons, neither by the different climatic periods. However, libido and service capacity were significantly affected by the climatic periods, decreasing their expression during the intense rainfall season, and increasing during the transition period from summer to the onset of rains, which could be considered the appropriate time to establish mating seasons in this region. Furthermore, a high positive correlation was observed between libido and service capacity confirmed by a logistic model that animals with low libido have low probability of having high service capacity. In conclusion, although Brahman bulls are physiologically adapted to tropical regions, their expression of sexual behavior is markedly influenced by the weather. Hence, the use of libido test may serve as a good predictor of the service capacity, and a useful tool to improve the selection of sires.

"How much desire should I have?": a qualitative study of low libido in postmenopausal women.

We conducted 15 interviews and 3 focus groups (total N = 36) among women 60 and older with low libido to better understand the role that it plays in their lives. Interviews and focus groups were led by facilitators using open-ended questions. A codebook was developed, then codes were assigned to all data. We identified three themes. First, women reported that sex was an important aspect of their lives. Second, women desired to know what was "normal" with regards to sexuality and aging. Third, women were distressed by low libido, concerned that it could have negative effects on romantic relationships and self-image.

[function of the patients' male partners].

Objective: To investigate the sexual behavior and sexual function of the male partners of breast cancer patients and their potential relationship with socio-demographic and clinical variables. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, we conducted an investigation among 196 male partners (aged 23－59 years) of breast cancer patients between May 2020 and October 2020. We completed the Male Sexual Function Questionnaire (BSFI) by online and telephone interview with the subjects and collected relevant socio-demographic and clinical variables. RESULTS: The average age of the interviewees was (46.13 ± 7.75) years old, and the mean duration of the patients' breast cancer was (1.58 ± 0.48) years at the time of the investigation. The incidence rate of sexual dysfunction in the male partners of the patients was dramatically higher after the onset of breast cancer than before it (49.76% vs 9.68%, P < 0.01). Low libido was found to be the main type of sexual dysfunction (38.3%) among the male subjects, with an even high incidence rate among those whose wives received mastectomy (OR = 5.533, P = 0.017, 95% CI: 1.366－22.412) and radiotherapy (OR = 3.439, P < 0.044, 95% CI: 1.058－11.171) and significantly correlated with age (OR = 1.134, P = 0.001, 95% CI: 1.053－1.222). CONCLUSIONS: Breast cancer and its treatment methods may affect the sexual function of the male partners of the patients. It is necessary for doctors to pay attention to the factors affecting the sexual function of the patients and their partners so as to take appropriate intervention measures.

Detection, examination and therapy of sexual dysfunctions in patients with diabetes.

Diabetes mellitus is a disease associated with multiple complications due to ineffective diabetes management in the early period after diagnosis and especially in the long term. However, the risk of developing sexual dysfunctions, which affect both men and women, is rarely mentioned in association with diabetes (1). Sexual complications not only disrupt with the social and sexual life of patients, but are often the first symptom of other health problems. For these reasons, in people with diabetes, early detection and proper treatment of sexual dysfunctions should be of concern physicians caring for diabetic patients.

THE ANALYSIS OF THE IMPACT OF THE TYPE OF CONTRACEPTION USED BY WOMEN ON THE LEVEL OF THEIR SEXUAL SATISFACTION AND COMFORT OF USE.

OBJECTIVE: The aim: To compare satisfaction of women using oral contraception to satisfaction of women using the levonorgestrel-secreting intrauterine system. In the comparison the following factors were taken into account: comfort of use, menstrual cycle, libido level, well-being and the impact on the relationship with a partner. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and methods: The study involved 129 randomly selected women who had to fill in the research survey questionnaire. RESULTS: Results: It has been proved that patients are more willing to use the intrauterine system secreting levonorgestrel because of a more reliable contraceptive effect and convenience of use. This kind of contraception has a beneficial effect on libido and relationships with a partner. Women using oral contraception did not report such advantageous influence of their method of contraception. An increase in libido was noticed for 24 women in the group of patients using the levonorgestrel-secreting intrauterine system and for 8 women in the group of users of oral contraception, which corresponds to 33.8% and 13.8%. Patients used oral contraception more often in order to regulate their menstrual cycle and to reduce heavy menstrual bleeding. CONCLUSION: Conclusions: The study identifies groups of women for whom a specific method of contraception would be appropriate. The greatest benefits of using the levonorgestrel-secreting intrauterine system will have patients who appreciate the convenience of use, as well as those who have sex drive disorders or for whom oral contraception causes undesirable symptoms. Women with hormonal disorders, irregular menstrual cycles and heavy menstrual bleeding will benefit most from the use of oral contraception.