Ana Luísa Quinta Gomes

Prevalence of Sexual Problems in Portugal: Results of a Population-Based Study Using a Stratified Sample of Men Aged 18 to 70 Years

Despite the use of different methodologies, target populations, and clinical definitions of sexual problems, recent epidemiological studies have shown that the occurrence of sexual difficulties is a very common experience among men from the general population regardless of their age. The objective of this study was to present epidemiological data on the prevalence of sexual difficulties in a community sample of 650 sexually active Portuguese men, stratified by age, marital status, and educational level. Participants completed a self-reported questionnaire assessing sexual function in the previous four weeks (International Index of Erectile Function). Results showed that sexual difficulties were relatively common among this sample. Rapid ejaculation was the most frequently reported sexual difficulty (23.2%), followed by erectile difficulties (10.2%), orgasm problems (8.2%), and low desire (2.9%) in the previous four weeks. With the exception of rapid ejaculation, all categories showed age-specific prevalence rates, with sexual difficulties increasing gradually in men above age 45. Age was a significant predictor of all sexual difficulties except rapid ejaculation, and lower educational levels were related to orgasm difficulties. Findings are consistent with the majority of epidemiological studies indicating a high prevalence of sexual difficulties among men in the general population and highlight the importance and the need to implement sexual health promotion programs in the target population.

Personality Traits and Psychopathology on Male Sexual Dysfunction: An Empirical Study

INTRODUCTION The importance of the role played by personality variables in the etiology, development, and maintenance of most emotional disorders is strongly supported by empirical data. However, there is a lack of studies concerning the implication of these variables on sexual difficulties. AIM The purpose of the present study was to investigate the role played by personality dimensions and psychopathology on male sexual functioning as well as to clarify the way these variables discriminate men with and without sexual dysfunction. METHODS A total of 229 men participated in the study (a community sample composed by 205 men and a clinical sample by 24 men with a DSM-IV diagnosis of sexual dysfunction). The community sample was subdivided into a control group (n=152) and a subclinical group (n=53), according to the cutoff scores of the International Index of Erectile Dysfunction. After giving informed consent, participants completed a set of clinical instruments. Partial correlations, regression analyses, and multivariate analyses of covariance were conducted. MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURES All participants completed a set of measures assessing personality dimensions, psychopathological symptoms, and sexual functioning. RESULTS After controlling for psychopathology, men with sexual dysfunction presented significantly higher levels of neuroticism when compared to sexually healthy men. Moreover, regression analysis indicated neuroticism as the best predictor of sexual functioning (β=-0.24, P<0.01). Regarding psychopathology, men with sexual problems presented significantly higher levels of depressive symptoms than the controls. Additionally, depressive symptoms were a significant predictor of sexual functioning (β=-0.41, P<0.001). CONCLUSION Personality dimensions and psychopathology play an important role on male sexual functioning. The results may have important clinical implications.

Validation of the Sexual Inhibition and Sexual Excitation Scales (SIS/SES) in Portugal: Assessing Gender Differences and Predictors of Sexual Functioning

The Sexual Inhibition and Sexual Excitation Scales (SIS/SES) were developed to assess individual propensities for sexual excitation and sexual inhibition in men and women. The objective of the present study was to validate the Portuguese version of the SIS/SES and to investigate the degree to which SIS/SES scores predict different dimensions of Portuguese men’s and women’s sexual functioning. Gender differences were also examined. A community sample of 370 Portuguese men and 373 women completed self-report measures of sexual function (IIEF, Rosen et al., 1997; FSFI, Rosen et al., 2000) and of the propensity for sexual inhibition and sexual excitation (SIS/SES, Janssen et al., 2002a). Exploratory factor analysis revealed a three-factor solution further supported by confirmatory factor analysis. The three factors identified resemble the original ones, and reliability analyses indicated they have both satisfactory internal consistency and stability over time. Age and Sexual Inhibition Due to the Threat of Performance Failure (SIS1) were both significant negative predictors of men’s sexual desire, erectile function, and orgasm. Sexual Excitation (SES) was a positive predictor of sexual desire in both men and women and of men’s erectile function and of women’s lubrication and orgasm. Age was also a significant and negative predictor of women’s sexual desire. Significant gender differences were found for all three SIS/SES scales with men having significantly higher excitation and lower inhibition scores as compared to women. The Portuguese version of the SIS/SES was shown to be suitable for use within the Portuguese population in both clinical and basic research. Our findings provide further cross-cultural validation of the Dual Control Model of Sexual Response and underscore the importance of the role of excitatory and inhibitory processes in women’s and men’s sexual functioning and response.

ORIGINAL RESEARCHPersonality Traits and Psychopathology on Male Sexual Dysfunction: An Empirical Study

INTRODUCTION The importance of the role played by personality variables in the etiology, development, and maintenance of most emotional disorders is strongly supported by empirical data. However, there is a lack of studies concerning the implication of these variables on sexual difficulties. AIM The purpose of the present study was to investigate the role played by personality dimensions and psychopathology on male sexual functioning as well as to clarify the way these variables discriminate men with and without sexual dysfunction. METHODS A total of 229 men participated in the study (a community sample composed by 205 men and a clinical sample by 24 men with a DSM-IV diagnosis of sexual dysfunction). The community sample was subdivided into a control group (n=152) and a subclinical group (n=53), according to the cutoff scores of the International Index of Erectile Dysfunction. After giving informed consent, participants completed a set of clinical instruments. Partial correlations, regression analyses, and multivariate analyses of covariance were conducted. MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURES All participants completed a set of measures assessing personality dimensions, psychopathological symptoms, and sexual functioning. RESULTS After controlling for psychopathology, men with sexual dysfunction presented significantly higher levels of neuroticism when compared to sexually healthy men. Moreover, regression analysis indicated neuroticism as the best predictor of sexual functioning (β=-0.24, P<0.01). Regarding psychopathology, men with sexual problems presented significantly higher levels of depressive symptoms than the controls. Additionally, depressive symptoms were a significant predictor of sexual functioning (β=-0.41, P<0.001). CONCLUSION Personality dimensions and psychopathology play an important role on male sexual functioning. The results may have important clinical implications.