Sexual Activity, Sexual Dysfunction, and Sexual Life Quality Among Psychiatric Hospital Inpatients With Schizophrenia.

BACKGROUND: Sexual dysfunction occurs commonly in patients with psychiatric illness and may be related to the primary mental disorder, comorbidity with sexual disorders or medical illness, or medications used for mental disorders treatment, but the magnitude of this problem is unknown. AIM: To estimate the prevalence of current sexual activity, sexual dysfunction, and sexual attitude and influence of factors on patients with schizophrenia. METHODS: This study used a cross-sectional design with a total of 317 patients diagnosed with schizophrenia. The subjects completed a demographic questionnaire, sexual attitude scale, sexual dysfunction scale, and sexual behavior scale. Descriptive analysis, difference analysis, and logistic regression model were used to identify relevant variables that may affect sexual life quality. OUTCOMES: Age, sexual satisfaction, and patient symptoms may predict sexual life quality on patients with schizophrenia. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 47.71 ± 9.54 years old. About the sexual activities, 53% of subjects had sexual intercourse experience, and 41.3% reported currently having sexual intercourse. The mean ± SD age for first sexual intercourse was 20.83 ± 5.95 years old (median was 20.0 years old). Moreover, women older than 50 years had significantly higher medians for the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) score, higher proportions of sexual dysfunction, and lower proportions of feeling important to sexual life quality than men. For participants with age ≤50 years old, there was a significant relationship among BPRS group (mean score >2.5 vs ≤2.5), sexual dysfunction (P < .001), sexual life quality (P < .001), and sexual satisfaction (P = .006). Among the predictors of feeling important to sexual life quality, sexual satisfaction (odds ratio = 7.005, 95% CI = 4.126-11.892, P < .001) and BPRS score (odds ratio = 4.501, 95% CI = 2.042-9.923, P < .001) were significant independent factors after adding the interaction of age group and BPRS group. CLINICAL TRANSLATION: This study also reveals the close relationship between sexual satisfaction and BPRS score, which may predict sexual life quality of patients with schizophrenia. Limitations include the possibility of underreporting and bias associated with self-report measurement. CONCLUSION: Sexual life quality and sexual dysfunction on patients with schizophrenia are associated with interaction among psychological, sociological, and biochemical-pharmacological factors. Ma M-C, Chao J-K, Hung J-Y, et al. Sexual Activity, Sexual Dysfunction, and Sexual Life Quality Among Psychiatric Hospital Inpatients With Schizophrenia. J Sex Med 2018;15:324-333.

Effect of sexual diary keeping and self-evaluation on female sexual function and depression: A pilot study.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the trial was to assess the effect of self-evaluation and sexual diary keeping on female sexual function and depressive symptoms in women diagnosed with sexual dysfunction. METHODS: A single-arm non-randomised trial included 30 women (53 ± 7 years of age) with female sexual dysfunction (Female Sexual Function Index [FSFI] < 27) and a stable partnership duration of 5-40 years. Female sexual function was assessed by sexual, psychological and gynaecological history taking and validated questionnaires including the FSFI, Female Sexual Distress Scale (FSDS) and Hamilton Depression Scale (HDS), before and after 4 weeks of sexual diary keeping. RESULTS: A subjective improvement in communication of sexual problems was reported by 60% of participants; no participants reported any worsening of communication. FSFI and FSDS scores were, respectively, 18.0 ± 7.7 and 22.0 ± 10.0 at baseline and 20.2 ± 7.2 and 20.6 ± 11.5 after 4 weeks. HDS score decreased from 6.0 ± 4.0 at baseline to 4.4 ± 2.7 after 4 weeks (p = 0.042). CONCLUSIONS: Self-evaluation and sexual diary keeping may improve aspects of sexual life, such as couple communication, without a direct effect on variables measured with validated questionnaires on different domains of sexual function.

Relationship between the symptoms of COPD and the quality of sexual life.

Objective: This study was conducted to assess the relationship between the symptoms experienced by women with COPD and the quality of their sexual life. Method: This study was designed as a descriptive cross-sectional study. The study was conducted at a hospital's chest diseases clinic located in the western of Turkey. The sample comprises 62 female patients hospitalized with diagnosis of COPD. A questionnaire form, the Medical Research Council Scale (MRCS), the COPD Assessment Test (CAT) and the Sexual Quality of Life-Female (SQOL-F) applied to the women with COPD. Frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, Kruskal Wallis test, Mann-Whitney U Test, correlation and regression analysis, were used for the data analysis process. Findings: The decrease in the education level of the participants who have any accompanying chronic disease, and experience symptoms during sexual intercourse negatively affects their quality of sexual life. The quality of sexual life decreases as age, duration of marriage and duration of illness increase (p < 0.05). The results of the linear regression analysis carried out to predict the quality of sexual life of women with COPD shown that the increase in mMRC and CAT significantly decreased the quality of sexual life. These variables explain 58% of the variance. Conclusions: The result of the study shown the sexual quality of life of women with COPD was impaired and COPD symptoms affect them.

The effect of sexual health literacy on the sexual life quality of women referring to healthcare centers in Qazvin, Iran.

BACKGROUND: Considering the role of sexual quality of life in public satisfaction, improving interpersonal relationships, promoting the general quality of life, especially in women, and ultimately maintaining, consolidating, and promoting family and community health, the need to explain the factors affecting it, such as sexual health literacy, is felt from the perspective of women. This study aimed to determine the relationship of sexual health literacy on the sexual life quality of women referring to health-care centers in Qazvin. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This research was a descriptive cross-sectional study. The population of this study was 420 women of Qazvin in 2020 who were selected by multistage sampling. The data collection tool was a demographic questionnaire and the standard questionnaire sexual health literacy for adults and Sexual Quality of Life-Female questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 22 and descriptive statistics and logistic regression. RESULTS: The mean (standard deviation) of the sexual health literacy score was 78.47 (17.85) and sexual quality of life was 59.71 (19.21). The results of logistic regression test showed that the variables of sexual health literacy, education level, age of marriage, and number of sexual intercourses per week were effective factors on the sexual quality of life (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Women with lower sexual health literacy, lower education level, higher marriage age, and women who had sex less per week had a lower sexual quality of life. Therefore, it is necessary to pay more attention to these women in designing educational programs to improve the quality of sexual life.

A Botanical Product Containing Cistanche and Ginkgo Extracts Potentially Improves Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Symptoms in Adults: A Randomized, Double-Blind, and Placebo-Controlled Study.

Dietary therapy may be beneficial in alleviating symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), a disorder that is characterized by extreme fatigue and other symptoms, but the cause of which remains unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the protective effect of a botanical product containing cistanche (Cistanche tubulosa [Schenk] Wight) and ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba L.) extracts on adults with CFS in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. A total of 190 subjects (35-60 years old, non-obese) with CFS were randomized to receive one tablet of a low dose (120-mg ginkgo and 300-mg cistanche), a high dose (180-mg ginkgo and 450-mg cistanche) or a placebo once daily for 60 days. Blood samples and responses on the Chalder fatigue scale (CFQ 11), the World Health Organization's quality of life questionnaire (WHOQOL), and the sexual life quality questionnaire (SLQQ) were collected at baseline and post-intervention. CFS symptoms of impaired memory or concentration, physical fatigue, unrefreshing sleep, and post-exertional malaise were significantly improved (p < 0.001) in both of the treatment groups. The botanical intervention significantly decreased physical and mental fatigue scores of CFQ 11 and improved WHOQOL and SLQQ scores of the subjects (p < 0.01). Levels of blood ammonia and lactic acid in the treatment groups were significantly lower than those of the placebo group (low-dose: p < 0.05; high-dose: p < 0.01). In addition, the change in lactic acid concentration was negatively associated with the severity of CFS symptoms (p = 0.0108) and was correlated with the change in total physical fatigue score of the CFQ (p = 0.0302). Considering the trivial effect size, the results may lack clinical significance. In conclusion, this botanical product showed promising effects in ameliorating the symptoms of CFS. Clinical trials with improved assessment tools, an expanded sample size, and an extended follow-up period are warranted to further validate the findings. Clinical Trial Registration: https://clinicaltrials.gov/, identifier: NCT02807649.

Effect of a three-piece inflatable penile prosthesis combined with a phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor on erectile dysfunction.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the therapeutic effect of implanting a three-piece inflatable penile prosthesis (IPP) combined with the phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor sildenafil in severe erectile dysfunction (ED) patients. METHODS: This randomized controlled study included 123 ED patients. Sixty-two patients received the IPP implantation and 61 patients received the IPP implantation and the phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor sildenafil. Erectile function and sexual life quality were evaluated using the five-item International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) and modified Sexual Life Quality Questionnaire-Quality of Life domain (mSLQQ-QoL), respectively. Serum interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1, and intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 levels were assessed. Kaplan-Meier curves were used to assess the overall IPP survival. RESULTS: Implantation of the three-piece IPP with sildenafil improved erectile function and sexual life quality, alleviated the inflammatory response, reduced the complication rate, and improved overall IPP survival. CONCLUSION: Implantation of the three-piece IPP combined with a phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor significantly improved clinical outcomes and the prognosis in ED patients.

Breastfeeding and Sexual Activity and Sexual Quality in Postpartum Women.

Background: Breastfeeding is the ideal source of nutrition for infants. Breastfeeding can affect sexual activity and sexual quality of women in the postpartum period. Objective: The present study was carried out to determine the effect of breastfeeding on sexual activity and sexual quality in postpartum women. Materials and Methods: The sample of the study consisted of 161 breastfeeding and 176 nonbreastfeeding women who were cared for in the Family Health Centers utilizing the Descriptive Information Form and Sexual Quality of Life-Female (SQOL-F) questionnaire. Results: Half of the breastfeeding and nonbreastfeeding women included in the study had cesarean delivery and the women in both groups reported changes in their sexual life (having less sexual intercourse, and suffering from dyspareunia) during the postpartum period. In the present study, 68.3% of the breastfeeding women and 47.7% of the nonbreastfeeding women experienced dyspareunia, and the difference between them was statistically significant (p < 0.05). There was also a statistical difference between the breastfeeding women and nonbreastfeeding women in terms of the types of changes experienced in sexual life (p < 0.05). The rate of the women who enjoyed sexual satisfaction more was higher in the nonbreastfeeding women (15.9%) than in the breastfeeding women (1.2%). The SQOL-F scale total mean score was 60.07 ± 9.88 in the breastfeeding women and 62.81 ± 9.66 in the nonbreastfeeding women, but the difference between the groups was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Conclusions: In the present study, the sexual life quality mean scores between the breastfeeding and nonbreastfeeding women were moderate and similar to each other. The fact was that the reported sexual life quality was similar in the breastfeeding and nonbreastfeeding women despite the association of a lower sexual desire and frequency of intercourse in the breastfeeding group, suggesting that breastfeeding may serve as a sexual alternative for nursing mothers.

Endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene polymorphisms and erectile dysfunction in chronic pain.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) T786C, 4VNTR and G894 T gene polymorphisms could mediate in andrological treatment response in Spaniards. SUBJECT PATIENTS/METHODS: The study participants were Spaniard males with erectile dysfunction (ED) and chronic pain (n = 105) recruited at the Pain Unit. eNOS polymorphisms were genotyped by quantitative polymerase chain reaction using Taqman specific probes. Statistical analyses were carried out using R-3.2.4 software. RESULTS: A total of 69 patients required andrological treatment and 76% of them improved ED upon iPED5 (20%), testosterone (35%) or iPDE5/testosterone treatment (45%); being significantly better in T786C-CC patients. Multivariate regression analysis indicated that age, opioid daily dose and carriage of T786C-C allele influenced the risk and ED severity in Spaniard chronic pain patients. CONCLUSION: T786C polymorphism at eNOS locus appeared to be a major contributor in the variable erectile function iPDE5/testosterone response in Spaniards.

[Sexual life quality of spinal cord-injured men receiving pharmacological treatment for erectile dysfunction and their partners]. / Calidad de la vida sexual de varones heterosexuales con lesión medular en tratamiento farmacológico para la disfunción eréctil y de sus compañeras.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the quality of sexual life reported by spinal cord-injured men treated with oral drugs for erectile dysfunction (ED) and their female partners. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Men with spinal cord injuries (SCI) complaining of ED and their female partners were evaluated using the Sexual Life Quality Questionnaire (SLQQ), a fully validated instrument in Spain. Two studies were conducted. A transversal study (1) on patients who were already on treatment with phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE5Is) and their partners, with 73 couples providing valid data. An additional prospective study (2) assessed SCI patients naive to PDE5Is in which both the patients and their spouses answered the SLQQ before treatment and after 3 months taking PDE5Is regularly, with 12 couples completing the study. RESULTS: The SLQQ scores of SC injured men on PDE5Is (study 1) were under the remembered pre-lesion level, with lower scores reported by those with complete lesions (P<.2 vs incomplete). Their partners' SLQQ scores were apparently similar to pre-injury times. The SLQQ scores of the patients and their partners were well correlated (r = 0.57, P<.0001), and they both reported high treatment satisfaction. Study 2: Untreated SCI patients reported very low SLQQ scores that were improved by PDE5Is treatment (P<.004), albeit without reaching the pre-injury level. A similar trend was found in their partners. Again both patients and partners reported high treatment satisfaction scores (P <.001). CONCLUSION: The sexual life quality levels of SC injured men on PDE5Is and their able-bodied spouses are well correlated. Both partners report high treatment satisfaction scores.