Correlation of sexual desire with sexual hormone binding globulin and free androgen index in women using combined contraceptives.

PURPOSE: To correlate the sexual desire levels with sexual hormone binding globulin and free androgen index in women taking different types of hormonal contraceptives (HCs) containing ethinylestradiol (EE), oestradiol valerate (E2V), 17ß-oestradiol (E2), or estetrol (E4), combined or in phasic formulation with different progestogens having antiandrogenic properties. METHODS: Three hundred and sixty-seven women (age range 18-46) participated in the study. SHBG and total testosterone (TT) were measured, and the Free Androgen Index (FAI) was calculated. The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and the Female Sexual Distress Scale (FSDS) questionnaires were used to assess sexual function and distress, respectively. RESULTS: The highest SHBG values and the lowest FAIs were obtained of women on HCs containing EE than those of women on HCs containing E2V/17ß E2 or E4 (p < 0.001). Desire scores and FSFI total scores were lower in women on HCs with EE than in those using HCs containing E2V, 17ß E2, or E4 (p ≤ 0.001). The women who were on HCs containing EE reported FSDS levels higher than those containing all the other types of oestrogen. Finally, sexual desire and FSFI total scores had a negative correlation with the SHBG values and a positive correlation with FAI percentage (p ≤ 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: A minority of women using HCs with EE might experience a decreased sexual desire. This was not observed in women on HCs containing E2V, 17 E2, or E4. To avoid HC discontinuation, due to sexual desire reduction, HCs having minor antiandrogenic effects could be taken into consideration.

Genital arousal and responsive desire among women with and without sexual interest/arousal disorder symptoms.

BACKGROUND: Models depicting sexual desire as responsive to sexual arousal may be particularly apt for women experiencing arousal or desire difficulties, and the degree to which arousal triggers desire may depend on the relationship context and desire target and timing-yet, these associations have not been directly tested among women with and without sexual interest/arousal disorder (SIAD). AIM: To assess the role of SIAD status and relationship satisfaction in the associations between genital arousal and 4 types of responsive desire. METHODS: One hundred women (n = 27 meeting diagnostic criteria for SIAD) in romantic relationships with men viewed a sexual film (pleasurable intimate depiction of oral sex and penile-vaginal intercourse) while their genital arousal was recorded via vaginal photoplethysmography (n = 63) or thermal imaging of the labia (n = 37). Partner and solitary desire was assessed immediately before and after the film (immediate desire) and 3 days later (delayed desire). OUTCOMES: Outcomes consisted of genital response (z scored by method) and associations between genital response and responsive sexual desire. RESULTS: The key difference between women with and without SIAD was not in their ability to experience genital arousal but in how their genital responses translated to responsive sexual desire. Women with SIAD actually exhibited greater genital arousal than unaffected women. Associations between genital arousal and desire were significant only for women with SIAD and depended on relationship satisfaction and desire type. For women with SIAD with low relationship satisfaction, higher arousal predicted lower immediate desire for a partner; for those with high relationship satisfaction, arousal was either positively related (vaginal photoplethysmography) or unrelated (thermal imaging of the labia) to immediate desire for a partner. Associations with other desire types were not significant. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Patterns of genital arousal and partner-specific responsive desire among women affected with SIAD were indicative of an avoidance model in response to heightened genital arousal, unless relationship satisfaction was high; attending to genital arousal sensations could be a means of triggering sexual desire for women with SIAD who are satisfied in their relationships. STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS: This is one of the first sexual psychophysiologic studies to connect relationship factors to patterns of sexual response. The differing arousal assessment procedures and lack of official diagnosis may have attenuated results. The homogeneous sample and in-person session requirement limit generalizability. CONCLUSION: When compared with unaffected women, women affected by SIAD may exhibit stronger arousal responses with sufficiently incentivized sexual stimuli, and the connection between their genital arousal and responsive desire for their partners may be stronger and more dependent on relationship context.

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.

Testing the role of extended thinking in predicting craving and problematic social network sites use.

Background and aims Problematic Social Network Sites Use (PSNSU) mirrors substance use disorders with regard to symptoms (e.g., diminished control). Recent theoretical advances in the addiction research field recognize a central role of affective and cognitive processes in the development of addictive behaviors. For example, the metacognitive model of addictive behaviors sustains that cognitive processes like extended thinking, disruption in metacognitive monitoring, and thought suppression are associated with addictive behaviors leading to increased craving. The current study aims to test the mediating role of extended thinking (i.e., worry, rumination, and desire thinking) in the relationship between psychological distress and PSNSU. Methods A community sample of 548 individuals (F = 68.5%, Mage= 29.29 ± 12.04 years) completed an online survey. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was utilized to analyze the relationships among the variables under study. Results The assessed structural model adequately fits the data, accounting for 89% of PSNSU variance. Psychological distress predicted PSNSU through the mediation of desire thinking and rumination and the serial mediation of (i) worry and craving (ii) desire thinking and craving The model is gender invariant. Conclusions The current findings provide preliminary evidence for the role of extended thinking in PSNSU. Worry, rumination and desire thinking may be central cognitive processes in eliciting craving and PSNSU for individuals who experience psychological distress.

"It's an ongoing discussion about desire": Adults' strategies for managing sexual and affectionate desire discrepancies in romantic relationships.

Desire discrepancies are a common source of relationship conflict and one reason adults may seek couples counseling. Within romantic relationships, adults individually experience sexual and affectionate desire, but also experience desire relative to their partner. If desire discrepancies exist, partners may attempt to resolve these discrepancies. Thus, we examined adults' strategies for managing sexual and affectionate desire discrepancies. Our sample consisted of 300 adults (45% women; Mage = 29.5; 86.3% LGBTQ+) who were in a romantic relationship and reported a desire discrepancy. Thematic analysis revealed five strategies for managing desire discrepancies: alternative behaviors, communication, doing nothing, engaging in behaviors anyway, and giving control to a specific partner. Adults reported similar strategies for resolving sexual and affectionate desire discrepancies. Perceived effectiveness and strategies varied by whether adults thought that their discrepancies were problematic. Our findings hold implications for clinicians approaching problematic desire discrepancies, and suggest strategies that may promote effective resolutions.

Kisspeptin administration may promote precopulatory behavior in male rats independently or supplementally to testosterone and contribute to proceptive behavior in female partners, reducing mating failure.

Kisspeptin is a peptide that plays an important role through its effects on the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis. It has also been implicated in sexual behavior. The present study investigated whether the relationship between kisspeptin and sexual behavior is independent of the HPG axis, i.e., testosterone. Sexual behavior was examined after the administration of kisspeptin to gonadally intact male rats and gonadectomized male rats that received testosterone supplementation. Other male rats were also observed for sexual behavior once a week from 2 to 5 weeks after gonadectomy and receiving kisspeptin for the sixth postoperative week. Sexual behavior in female rats serving as the partner for each male was also observed. Female rats were not administered kisspeptin in the present study. The results obtained showed that the administration of kisspeptin increased precopulatory behavior in gonadally intact male rats and gonadectomized male rats that received testosterone supplementation and proceptive behavior in their female partners. Precopulatory behavior in males and receptive behavior in females increased, while copulatory behavior in males and receptive behavior in females remained unchanged. Furthermore, the administration of kisspeptin increased precopulatory behavior in gonadectomized males, but did not affect receptive behavior in females. These results suggest that kisspeptin affected males independently and/or supplementally to testosterone, and also that changes in the presence of testosterone in males had an impact on proceptive behavior in their female partners. In conclusion, kisspeptin may involve an as-yet-unidentified neural pathway in sexual desire independently of the HPG axis.

Awareness, Attitude, and Fertility Desire in Elective Oocyte Cryopreservation of Adults in Four Areas of China.

Purpose: Controversy exists on whether or not elective oocyte cryopreservation (eOC) can be conducted in public hospitals in China. Policymakers should take into account the benefits and risks in the Chinese population. This study explored basic data concerning the awareness, attitudes of eOC, and fertility desire of eOC in China to offer evidence for policy making. Methods: A total of 442 people in four areas of China responded to a survey. The questionnaire was divided into three parts: awareness, attitude, and fertility desire of eOC. Descriptive analysis and multivariable regression analysis were used in the study. Results: Generally, the respondents had a positive or neutral attitude towards eOC. However, about 90% of respondents did not know the cost of eOC. In general, a more positive attitude was found towards eOC among participants who had heard of the procedure compared with those who had not. Most women did not desire to reproduce by eOC. After adjusting for access to information, we found that female, older age groups, and singles were more likely to have increased awareness than their counterparts. The awareness of participants who accessed information from any source had a higher relative probability of having good awareness levels compared to participants who had not accessed the information. Undergraduates exhibited significantly higher levels of cognitive understanding, as indicated by their increased familiarity and comprehension, compared to high school students (relative risk ratio = 1.44, confidence interval = 0.48,4.29). Conclusion: Continued discussion is needed regarding the ethical, legal, and social aspects of performing eOC in public hospitals. Furthermore, policies are needed to regulate eOC to protect the reproductive freedom of healthy women.

Handling the desire to die- evaluation of an elective course for medical students.

BACKGROUND: The desire to die can occur in palliative care patients with a prevalence of up to 22%. Not every desire to die is accompanied by a pressure to act, but usually by a burden that can arise from various factors. To address this burden appropriately, health care workers should be trained. Based on an evaluated course on handling the desire to die, an elective course for medical students was developed and evaluated. In order to identify the impact of the elective course's content, a comparison of attitudes towards assisted dying with two other participant groups was conducted. Therefore, three questions from the evaluation of the elective course were used. METHOD: Online evaluation of the elective and questions addressing attitude were assessed using a five-point Likert scale. The specific outcome-based assessment was determined using the Comparative Self-Assessment Gain. The main participant group (group 1) were students who took the elective. The additional survey on attitudes towards assisted dying included undergraduate medical students who had taken compulsory palliative care courses (group 2) and physicians who had taken an introductory course in intensive care or emergency medicine (group 3). RESULTS: Group 1 (n = 13, response rate rr = 86.7%) was very satisfied with the blended learning format (100%) and the course itself (100%). They were able to deepen their knowledge (81.0%) and train skills (71.2%) through the course. In the additional surveys, there were 37 students in group 2 (rr = 66.1%) and 258 physicians in group 3 (rr = 73.6%). Willingness to assist with or accompany the various options for assisted dying varied according to the type of assistance. Among the participants, it can be summarised that the highest willingness was shown by the students of group 2 followed by the physicians of group 3 and the students of group 1. CONCLUSIONS: A course on handling the desire to die of palliative patients can deepen knowledge and train communication skills and thus support self-confidence. Dealing with the background of the desire to die, knowledge about assisted dying, but also one's own attitudes and responsibilities can influence the attitude towards assisted dying.

Nursing applicants' desire to work in nursing and related factors: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: The desire to work in the nursing profession has recently been identified as an important aspect to consider in the selection process of nursing students but very little is known about nursing applicants' or students' desire to work in nursing. AIMS: The study aimed to describe and explain the desire of undergraduate nursing applicants to work in nursing. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study design. METHODS: The Desire to Work in Nursing Instrument was used to collect the data. All nursing applicants (N = 974) who took part in an entrance examination organised in six Universities in October 2018 were eligible to participate. Eight Hundred and Forty-one applicants (response rate 86%, 102 males) participated in the study. Statistical analysis included the use of descriptive statistics and linear regression was used to assess if dependent variables explained the observed outcomes. RESULTS: A strong desire to work in nursing was demonstrated in all the four areas. The most common reason to desire this work was suitability to nursing and the nature of work, and the least common was the career opportunities. Gender, previous education, and a realistic image best explain the desire. CONCLUSIONS: The assessment of desire to work in nursing may assist career choice of nursing applicants, and may enhance recruitment and retention in nursing education. Applicants need to be more aware of the career development possibilities. Further studies are needed to investigate if the desire to work in nursing is different to men than to women to inform recruitment strategies.

Combined estrogen-progestin oral contraceptives and female sexuality: an updated review.

INTRODUCTION: Sexual side effects of combined oral contraceptives (COCs) have not been fully understood, but increasing evidence prompts broader risk/benefit evaluation and merits inclusion in counseling on contraceptive options. OBJECTIVES: The study sought to explore the impact of combined estrogens-progestin oral contraceptives on components of female sexuality, including sexual desire, anatomic genitourinary changes, lubrication, orgasm, provoked vestibulodynia, well-being, body image, partner preference, and relationship stability. METHODS: A literature review was performed between April 2023 and January 2024 exploring the association between combined oral contraceptive pills and sexual health. RESULTS: Although COCs decrease free testosterone, it is unclear if COCs affect sexual function, including desire. Antiandrogenic COCs do seem to have a negative effect on sexual arousal, lubrication, and orgasm. Provoked vestibulodynia may be related to early onset of COC use, low-estrogen pills, and antiandrogenic progestins. Emotional and sexual side effects are strong predictors of COC discontinuation. Longitudinal data indicate that using COCs when meeting and selecting a partner has implications on sexual satisfaction and relationship length. Analysis of data is complicated by various doses and forms of estrogen and progestin in COCs, which have changed over time. CONCLUSION: Lack of randomized placebo-controlled studies and heterogenicity in study design hampers generalized statements about the effects of COCs on sexual function. Despite these challenges, consideration of sexual dysfunction when presenting and prescribing hormonal contraception is essential for informed consent, shared decision making, and ensuring reliable contraceptive choices.

The Desire for Being Liked and the Fear of Negative Evaluation in Rhinoplasty Patients.

OBJECTIVE: The study was conducted to determine patients' desire for being liked and the fear of negative evaluation before and after surgery. MATERIALS AND METHOD: The study was conducted quasi-experimentally using a one-group pretest-posttest (sixth month) design. The study population consisted of rhinoplasty patients hospitalized in the ear, nose, and throat service. The study was completed with 60 people. Participant information form, the desire for being liked scale, and the brief fear of negative evaluation scale were used as data collection tools. The data of the study were collected face-to-face between November 15, 2021, and March 15, 2023. FINDINGS: It was determined that the mean scores of the desire for being liked were 19.43 ± 7.44 in the pretest and 12.15 ± 4.76 in the posttest, and the difference between the measurements was highly significant. Furthermore, it was determined that the mean score of fear of negative evaluation was 27.78 ± 9.81 in the pretest and 17.72 ± 6.91 in the posttest, and the difference between the measurements was highly significant. It was observed that there was a high, statistically significant, and positive relationship between the pretest and posttest fear of negative evaluation and desire for being liked scores. CONCLUSION: Patients' desire for being liked and fear of negative evaluation, which were high before surgery, decreased significantly six months after surgery. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these evidence-based medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of contents or the online instructions to authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Concordance in Spouses' Intention to Move After Retirement Among Korean Middle-Aged Couples.

This study examined the concordance in spouses' intention to move after retirement among midlife couples and its association with couples' marital characteristics (i.e., marital satisfaction and dyadic coping). Using a sample of 1,285 middle-aged couples in Korea (aged 49-64), we conducted logistic/multinomial regression controlling for individual and household characteristics. The majority of couples (83%) were concordant in their moving desires-by either agreeing to move (29%) or to stay (54%), whereas 17% of couples were not in agreement-either only husband (9%) or wife (8%) desires to move. Couples who made daily decisions together and where wives perceived higher marital satisfaction were more likely to have concordant moving desires. Couples where spouses shared each other's stress and discussed life after retirement were more likely to agree to move than to stay. Our findings suggest the importance of marital dynamics in understanding midlife couples' residential mobility after retirement.

What factors influence couples' decisions to have children? Evidence from a systematic scoping review.

BACKGROUND: One of the most significant demographic challenges over the past three decades has been the substantial reduction in fertility rates, worldwidely. As a developing country, Iran has also experienced a rapid decline in fertility over the past decades. Understanding factors influencing fertility is essential for development programs. Moreover, it's crucial to study the parameters that affect the intention for childbearing in any society. Therefore, through a systematic scoping review, the present study investigates the factors influencing couples' decisions toward childbearing. METHODS: This study was a systematic scoping review conducted in 2023. To design and conduct this scoping review, Joanna Briggs Institute's Protocol (Institute TJB, The Joanna Briggs Institute Reviewers ' manual 2015; methodology for JBI scoping reviews, 2015) was used and the framework presented by Levac et al. (2010) was also used as a guide for conducting this review. Studies were searched in three main databases including ISI Web of Sciences, PubMed, and Scopus, using a predefined search strategy. Google Scholar was also used for complementary search. The search period was from 2002 to 2022. RESULTS: A total of 18,454 studies were identified across three primary databases. After evaluating articles in three distinct phases based on title, abstract, and full-text, 46 articles were deemed eligible for inclusion in the scoping review. The qualitative analysis of the collected data from the selected studies through the scoping review led to classifying factors influencing households' desire for childbearing into eight main themes and 101 sub-themes. The main themes associated with factors impacting households' intention for childbearing encompass individual determinants, demographic and familial influencing factors, cultural elements, social factors, health-related aspects, economic considerations, insurance-related variables, and government support/incentive policies. CONCLUSIONS: Comprehensive and holistic attention from governments and officials toward the various factors affecting households' intention and behavior regarding childbearing appears beneficial and effective. Furthermore, given the relative ineffectiveness of some of the current government's supportive/incentive policies to increase couples' desire for childbearing, it seems necessary to review and amend these policies. This review should address the most significant challenges and factors contributing to couples' reluctance to childbearing or strengthen factors that can play a substantial role in fostering fertility and childbearing desires.

Parenthood desire, perceived parenthood stigma, and barriers to achieving parenthood in childless sexual minority men.

PURPOSE: To examine the parenthood desire, perceived parenthood stigma, and barriers to achieving parenthood among sexual minority men (SMM) in Canada, and to investigate factors influencing their fertility and assisted reproductive knowledge. METHODS: Data were collected from March to mid-June 2023 using a 78-item anonymous online survey. Childless cisgender SMM (age 18+) living in Canada were recruited from the LGBTQIA+ community outside the fertility care networks. Chi-square, t-tests, ANOVA, reliability tests, Spearman's correlation, and hierarchical regression model were used for analysis. RESULTS: Over 160 people clicked the survey hyperlink during the study period and 112 completed surveys were analyzed. The mean age of participants was 33.2±8.5 (range: 19.7-60.0). Having a child by any means was "quite"/"very" important to 35.7% (n=40), yet 56.0% (n=61) thought it was "unlikely" to achieve parenthood. Financial readiness (n=90, 85.7%) and relationship stability (n=86, 81.9%) were the two most "important" parenthood considerations. Participants who were non-white (p=0.017), under age 30 (p=0.008), and had no siblings (p=0.024) had significantly higher means of parenthood desire compared to others. The final hierarchical regression model explained 43% of the variance in the knowledge scores (R2adj =0.353), predicted by the levels of (i) education (ß=0.37, p<0.001), (ii) family acceptance of sexual orientation (ß=0.39, p=0.004), and (iii) parenthood desire (ß=0.27, p=0.002). CONCLUSIONS: With an increasing number of SMM desiring children, it is pivotal to advance family-building equality through improving their fertility and assisted reproductive knowledge, removing disparities in accessing adoption and assisted reproductive services, and decreasing social stigma against SMM having children.

[Sex therapy and support for women and couples]. / Sexothérapie et accompagnement de la femme et du couple.

Sexuality is shaped by experience and by what has been passed down. Body image and sex influence desire and pleasure. In the case of endometriosis, suffering and pain can lead to shame and guilt. Encouraging people to talk to each other helps to create a free eroticism that resembles the couple.

Amor, deseo, sexualidad y salud mental / [Love, desire, sexuality and mental health]

La presente aportación versa acerca del amor y el deseo sexual, así como de su escasamente documentada neurofisiología; también, de sus relaciones con la salud sexual y la mental, que incluye esta última los trastornos mentales, del comportamiento y del neurodesarrollo. Estas cuestiones se abordarán sucintamente desde una perspectiva eminentemente científica. Se han escrutado varios repertorios bibliográficos electrónicos cualificados internacionales y nacionales, sin pretender una imposible exhaustividad. Se constata que la información de calidad al respecto es extremadamente limitada, heterogénea y a menudo subjetiva o con sesgos deficientemente controlados. Según los hallazgos, resultan probables las diferencias psicofisiológicas para el amor y el deseo según sea el sexo y género de las personas, lo que sucede igualmente cuando concurren psicopatologías. El mecanismo regulador de la excitación sexual es complejo en sus correlatos neuronales y todavía son inciertas las bases neurofisiológicas correspondientes. Los trastornos mentales con influencia potencialmente más distorsionadora sobre el amor y el deseo sexual son los del estado de ánimo y, obviamente, los parafílicos. Se necesita investigar más y con mayor rigor acerca de la psiconeurobiología subyacente a estas cuestiones usuales. (AU)

The present contribution is about love and sexual desire and their relationship with sexual and mental health, what includes the latter mental, behavioural and neurodevelopmental disorders. All these issues will be succinctly addressed from an eminently scientific perspective. Several qualified national and international electronic bibliographical indexes have been examined without intending an impossible exhaustiveness. It is established that quality information on this regard is extremely limited, heterogeneous and frequently subjective or with poorly controlled bias. As a result of our findings, the psychophysiological differences for love and desire according to people’s sex and gender are likely to occur as it also happens when psychopathologies come together. The sexual arousal regulator mechanism is complex in its neural correlates and the corresponding neurophysiological basis are still uncertain. The mental disorders with a potentially more distorting influence on love and sexual desire are those related to mood and, obviously, paraphilic disorders. Further rigorous research on psychoneurobiology underlying this usual matters is needed. (AU)

A randomized comparison of online mindfulness-based group sex therapy vs supportive group sex education to address sexual dysfunction in breast cancer survivors.

BACKGROUND: Sexual difficulties and vaginal pain are common following treatment for breast cancer. AIM: The goal of this study was to evaluate an online mindfulness-based group sex therapy vs an online supportive sex education group therapy to address these sexual difficulties. METHODS: Breast cancer survivors (n = 118) were randomized to 1 of the 2 arms; 116 provided informed consent and completed the time 1 assessment. Treatment included 8 weekly 2-hour online group sessions. Those randomized to the mindfulness group completed daily mindfulness exercises, and those in the comparison arm read and completed exercises pertaining to sex education. OUTCOMES: Assessments were repeated at posttreatment and 6 months after the completion of the group. RESULTS: There was a main effect of treatment on primary endpoints of sexual desire, sexual distress, and vaginal pain, with all outcomes showing significant improvements, with no differential impact by treatment arm. Secondary endpoints of interoceptive awareness, mindfulness, and rumination about sex also significantly improved with both treatments, with no group-by-time interaction. CONCLUSION: Both mindfulness-based sex therapy and supportive sex education delivered in group format online are effective for improving many facets of sexual function, vaginal pain, rumination, mindfulness, and interoceptive awareness in breast cancer survivors. STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS: We used a randomized methodology. Future studies should seek to diversify participants. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: These findings highlight the need to offer similar treatments to more breast cancer survivors immediately after and in the years following cancer treatment as a means of improving survivorship quality of life.

The state of transience, and its influence on the wish to die of advanced disease patients: insights from a qualitative phenomenological study.

BACKGROUND: The experience of Wish to Die is common in patients living with Advanced Disease. It has been studied worldwide and qualitative studies have contributed to the understanding of the complexity of the phenomenon of the WTD but a deeper understanding on the individual's views is still needed. The objective of this study was to identify common characteristics of the experience of wish to die in advanced disease. METHODS: A phenomenological study was carried out with multicenter participation of patients with advanced disease who had expressed their wish to die to health professionals. Semi-structured interviews were employed to obtain an in-depth perspective of each patient's lived experience. A phenomenological analysis of the data collected was performed to describe and explore the characteristic aspects of the phenomenon under study. RESULTS: Fourteen patients with advanced disease were interviewed. Most of them had cancer. In the analysis of the patients' accounts of their experiences, three common characteristics were identified: a) experiencing a state of transience; b) the attempt to reconnect with oneself; and c) additional disease-related aspects that influence the wish to die. Patients expressed the need for a safe space to address the wish to die and the importance of receiving care that considers both 'being' and 'doing'. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with advanced disease and wish to die experience a state of transience where the patient lives and ephemeral state of existence. Interventions focused on reinforcing the intrinsic value of the individual emerge as essential components of a compassionate accompaniment of those facing the wish to die.