Sexual Function in Chronic Illness

The need for routine physical health care in schizophrenia

When managing their patients with schizophrenia, psychiatrists are increasingly concerned about physical disorders, including weight gain, obesity, metabolic abnormalities (in particular, diabetes and the metabolic syndrome), prolactin increase, sexual dysfunction and cardiovascular disease. Other common health-related problems in these patients include recreational drug use, sedation/physical inactivity, adverse drug effects and poor self-care. Each of these can have an impact on patient well-being, adherence to therapy and life expectancy. Collectively they can pose substantial barriers to optimal outcomes. However, the widespread acknowledgement of the importance of the physical health of patients with schizophrenia does not always result in consistent monitoring and management of physical health risks in the clinic. Urgent action is needed to ensure that psychiatrists prioritise physical healthcare alongside mental healthcare as a way to improve the longterm outcomes of treatment in all patients with schizophrenia.

Effects of Behçet's disease on sexual function and psychological status of male patients

INTRODUCTION

There are no studies on the sexual function of male patients with Behçet's disease (BD), but it is probable that male sexual dysfunction may be seen in this chronic condition.

AIM

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of BD on male sexual function and psychiatric status, and to examine the relationship between sexual function and depression in this population.

METHODS

Patients with a diagnosis of BD for at least one year were included in the study. The patients' age, educational level, and duration of disease were recorded. A healthy control group was selected with highly similar characteristics to the patient group. The sexual functions of the patient and the control groups were assessed using the International Index of Erectile Functions (IIEF), and their emotional status was evaluated using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The results of the questionnaires in patient and control groups were compared. The relationship between the clinical findings and questionnaire scores was assessed in the patient group.

RESULTS

Forty-two patients with BD and 42 healthy individuals were included in the study. The mean subscale scores of the IIEF for erectile function were significantly lower in the patient group compared to the control group (P < 0.001). The IIEF score was not related to active skin findings, active oral ulcers, active genital ulcers, eye involvement, or medication for BD, but it was related with history of arthritis. The BDI and IIEF scores were negatively correlated in the patient group.

CONCLUSION

BD has a negative impact on men's psychological state and sexual function. We recommend that depression and sexual dysfunction be investigated and treated while assessing patients with BD.

Testosterone therapy for reduced libido in women

Modest benefit has been shown from transdermal testosterone therapy given to postmenopausal women with reduced sexual desire. An increased frequency of satisfying sexual encounters and intensity of sexual desire and response has been shown in medically and psychiatrically healthy women able to have 2-3 satisfying sexual experiences each month before therapy commences. Women more clearly sexually dysfunctional in keeping with currently proposed definitions of sexual disorder have not been studied. Numerous factors are known to influence women's sexual desire with mood and feelings towards the partner showing the most robust associations. How to identify women whose low desire might stem from low testosterone activity remains unknown: neither serum levels of testosterone nor its metabolites correlate with desire or function. Production of androgens in the brain, sensitivity of the androgen receptors, and activity of cofactors are all potentially relevant confounds. The long-term safety of systemic testosterone with or without estrogen is unknown but necessary as women's sexual lives tend to endure as long as there is an active partner.

The impact of minimally invasive surgeries for the treatment of symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia on male sexual function: a systematic review

A systematic review of randomized controlled trials and cohort studies was conducted to evaluate data for the effects of minimally invasive procedures for treatment of symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) on male sexual function. The studies searched were trials that enrolled men with symptomatic BPH who were treated with laser surgeries, transurethral microwave therapy (TUMT), transurethral needle ablation of the prostate (TUNA), transurethral ethanol ablation of the prostate (TEAP) and high-intensity frequency ultrasound (HIFU), in comparison with traditional transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) or sham operations. A total of 72 studies were identified, of which 33 met the inclusion criteria. Of the 33 studies, 21 were concerned with laser surgeries, six with TUMT, four with TUNA and two with TEAP containing information regarding male sexual function. No study is available regarding the effect of HIFU for BPH on male sexual function. Our analysis shows that minimally invasive surgeries for BPH have comparable effects to those of TURP on male erectile function. Collectively, less than 15.4% or 15.2% of patients will have either decrease or increase, respectively, of erectile function after laser procedures, TUMT and TUNA. As observed with TURP, a high incidence of ejaculatory dysfunction (EjD) is common after treatment of BPH with holmium, potassium-titanyl-phosphate and thulium laser therapies (> 33.6%). TUMT, TUNA and neodymium:yttrium aluminum garnet visual laser ablation or interstitial laser coagulation for BPH has less incidence of EjD, but these procedures are considered less effective for BPH treatment when compared with TURP.

Sexual Function of Women with Chronic Illness and Cancer

Addressing the sexual sequelae of chronic disease and its treatment is now accepted as a fundamental part of healthcare. Most of the sexual effects of chronic disease are negative, and ongoing illness continues to modulate a woman's sexual self-image, energy and interest in sexual activity, as well as her ability to respond to sexual stimuli with pleasurable sensations, excitement, orgasm and freedom from pain with genital stimulation or intercourse. Nevertheless, for many women with chronic illness, sexuality remains extremely important despite the commonly associated fatigue and acquired sexual dysfunctions; sexual resilience can be substantial. Following recovery from cancer surgery, chemotherapy and radiation, prognosis can be excellent and a return to full health can often be expected, and yet, there may have been devastating changes to sexual function owing to the cancer treatment. Women with metastatic disease may still treasure sexual intimacy. Assessment and management of sexual dysfunction is therefore necessary in all women with chronic illness or past or present cancer.