Middle East Cultural Challenges and the Treatment of Sexual Problems in Men

Sexual health literacy and its related factors among couples: A population-based study in Iran

Sexual health literacy is one of the factors that affect sexual health. Several factors can influence sexual health literacy. As a result, the current study was carried out to determine sexual health literacy and its associated factors among Iranian couples. In 2022, 410 couples of reproductive age were referred to comprehensive health service centers and private clinics in Kerman city for the descriptive-analytical study. The study questionnaires included sexual health literacy for adults, sexual knowledge and attitude scale, marital intimacy scale, sexual intimacy scale, depression anxiety stress scale, sexual self-efficacy, the multidimensional scale of perceived social support, and socioeconomic status. Finally, multiple linear stepwise regression models were used to determine the factors related to sexual health literacy using the SPSS software version 22. According to the findings of this study, the mean(SD) of sexual health literacy in couples was 68.76(12.96), which was a desirable level. Furthermore, the findings revealed that sexual self-efficacy (B = 0.649، P<0.001), sexual knowledge and attitude (B = 0.217، P<0.001), the ability to identify reliable and non-reliable sources (B = -3.116، P<0.001), feelings of shame and embarrassment for obtaining sexual information (B = 1.860، P = 0.011), social support (B = 0.127، P<0.001) and the obscenity of sexual issues in family (B = 1.764، P = 0.015) were the final predictors of sexual health literacy in couples. It is suggested that researchers and health managers consider these factors when designing interventions to promote sexual health literacy.

Considerations for prescribing pharmacotherapy for the treatment of erectile dysfunction

Introduction: The effectiveness of phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE5i) in treating erectile dysfunction (ED) creates a new field of both medical practice and pharmaceutical manufacturing. Both paved the way for emerging minimally invasive therapies to restore male sexual function. However, what is the best drug to achieve the optimum outcome is still a challenging question to be answered.Areas covered: The general viewpoint of matching the pharmacotherapeutic characteristics with the patient's medical, social, and psychological variables, in order to balance between efficacy and safety. Several studies had investigated considerations for preference and long-term adherence for PDE5i. However, a thorough investigation of considerations for prescribing ED pharmacotherapy is still lacking in the literature. This is the aim of this manuscript.Expert opinion: Several issues should be considered in the planning of ED management such as the patient's and partner's expectations, etiologic considerations, performance status, safety, adverse effects, ease of administration, compliance, bad experiences with previous treatment, availability, cost, social factors, satisfaction, and finally, regimen considerations. Addressing the patient's and partner's individual needs help to tailoring treatment in order to minimize compromises and optimize gains.