A Brief Online Mindfulness Intervention for Women's Sexual Desire: The BROWSE Study

With growing interest in developing digital health tools for treating sexual dysfunction, this pilot study aimed to determine feasibility and gather preliminary efficacy data of a self-led online mindfulness intervention in comparison to an online psychoeducational intervention for women's low sexual desire in a community sample (N = 57). After a four-week intervention, participants showed overall improvements on sexual functioning, orgasm, sexual self-pleasure, sexual self-image, and sexual distress, in both treatment arms. Majority completed assigned homework and felt the intervention enhanced their sexual well-being. This study supports the feasibility of a self-led online mindfulness intervention that could help inform future programs.

The Physiology of Female Sexual Function and the Pathophysiology of Female Sexual Dysfunction (Committee 13A)

INTRODUCTION

The article consists of six sections written by separate authors that review female genital anatomy, the physiology of female sexual function, and the pathophysiology of female sexual dysfunction but excluding hormonal aspects.

AIM

To review the physiology of female sexual function and the pathophysiology of female sexual dysfunction especially since 2010 and to make specific recommendations according to the Oxford Centre for evidence based medicine (2009) "levels of evidence" wherever relevant.

CONCLUSION

Recommendations were made for particular studies to be undertaken especially in controversial aspects in all six sections of the reviewed topics. Despite numerous laboratory assessments of female sexual function, genital assessments alone appear insufficient to characterise fully the complete sexual response.

[Sexual dysfunction associated with psychotropic drugs and treatment options]

BACKGROUND

Sexual dysfunction associated with psychotropic drugs is a threat to patient quality of life and a major reason for non-compliance. Psychotropic agents can impair the sexual response in different ways due to their neurobiological mode of action.

OBJECTIVE

Presentation of the frequencies of sexual functional disorders for selected psychopharmacological groups and the available treatment modalities.

METHODS

Literature search, selection and review of relevant studies.

RESULTS

The most relevant groups for impairments are antidepressants and antipsychotics due to the serotonin agonistic and anti-dopaminergic properties as well as the prolactin increasing characteristics. Agents with a favorable side effects profile are now available. All phases of the sexual response are affected.

DISCUSSION

The treatment of psychiatric disorders should follow a comprehensive treatment plan that anticipates a likely sexual dysfunction at the initiation of treatment. The main aim is improvement of the underlying primary disorder. Some limited evidence-based treatment strategies are available.

Changes in sexual function after medical or surgical termination of pregnancy

INTRODUCTION

Voluntary termination of pregnancy (TOP) is a social issue; however, even if it is one of the most common procedures performed in the world, few studies evaluated sexual function changes after medical or surgical TOP.

AIM

The aim of this study was to evaluate how first trimester TOP by either surgical (group 1) or medical procedure (group 2) affects sexual function.

METHODS

This prospective observational study included 211 patients (132 in group 1 and 79 in group 2) who requested first trimester TOP between September 2010 and May 2012. Medical TOP (mifepristone and misoprostol) was offered to patients up to 49 days of gestation. Surgical TOP was performed up to 12 weeks. The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) was used to evaluate sexual function before TOP, after 1, 3, and 6 months from TOP.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Changes in the FSFI values and number of sexual active patients after 1, 3, and 6 months from the TOP and the self-reported quality of sexual life at 6 months, with the two different procedures, were the main outcome measures.

RESULTS

At 4-week follow-up, 23.6% of women in group 1 did not resume sexual intercourse compared with 5.4% of women in group 2 (P = 0.003). At 6 months, 3.3% of women in the group 1 and no women in the group 2 did not resume sexual intercourses (P = 0.123). Compared with women in group 2, those in group 1 had lower FSFI score and number of sexual intercourses at 1, 3, and 6 months follow-up (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows that the number of sexually active women and the overall FSFI are reduced in women undergoing surgical TOP compared with those undergoing medical TOP. Counseling regarding sexual function changes should be included in the discussion of morbidity related to medical or surgical TOP.