Paul Enzlin

Sexual dysfunction in men and women with endocrine disorders

Endocrine disease frequently interrupts sexual function, and sexual dysfunction may signal serious endocrine disease. Diabetic autonomic neuropathy and endothelial dysfunction impair erectile function, and phosphodiesterase inhibition produces only moderate benefit. The effect of diabetes on womens sexual function is complex: the most consistent finding is a correlation between sexual dysfunction and depression. Reductions in testosterone level in men are associated with low sexual desire and reduced nocturnal erections and ejaculate volume, all of which improve with testosterone supplementation. The age-dependent decline in testosterone production in men is not associated with precise sexual symptoms, and supplementation has not been shown to produce sexual benefit. In women, sexual dysfunction has not been associated with serum testosterone, but this may be confounded by limitations of assays at low concentrations and by the greater importance of intracellular production of testosterone in women than in men. Testosterone supplementation after menopause does improve some aspects of sexual function in women, but long-term outcome data are needed. More research on the sexual effects of abnormal adrenal and thyroid function, hyperprolactinaemia, and metabolic syndrome should also be prioritised. We have good data on local management of the genital consequences of oestrogen lack, but need to better understand the potential role of systemic oestrogen supplementation from menopause onwards in sexually symptomatic women.

Chronic Disease and Sexuality: A Generic Conceptual Framework

Although sexual dysfunctions are frequently comorbid with many chronic diseases and their treatments, until recently, these dysfunctions have been neglected in both research and clinical practice. Fortunately, sexual functioning in the context of chronic disease has now begun to receive more scientific attention. Studies in the field are, however, quite diverse in terms of topics and methodology, not only making comparisons across studies on a single disease difficult, but also making comparisons across different diseases impossible. In an attempt to inspire researchers, this article presents a “generic” conceptual framework regarding the impact of chronic diseases (and their treatments) on sexual function. The major goals of this conceptual framework are to provide an in-depth analysis of, and insight into, the process by which disease-related psychological and relational factors impact the sexual functioning and well-being of patients, their partners, and their relationships. Some of the associations within the conceptual framework have already been supported by the results of empirical studies on various diseases. This review ends with an overview of the limitations of previous research, proposes a research agenda for the field, and presents a research tool that may be helpful in developing new studies investigating the association between chronic diseases and sexuality.

Gender differences in the psychological adjustment to type 1 diabetes mellitus: an explorative study

This study examined gender differences in (1) the psychological adjustment to diabetes and (2) the relation between psychological adjustment and metabolic control in patients with type 1 diabetes. The 280 adult patients attending the outpatient diabetes clinic completed psychological self-rating questionnaires evaluating coping, depression, marital satisfaction, cognitive and emotional adjustment to diabetes. Glycaemic control was measured with HbA(1c)-values. This study revealed that men used significantly more active coping, less avoiding, less social support seeking and less depressive coping. Despite these differences, glycaemic control was not significantly better in men than in women. Women reported more depressive symptomatology than men did and more women were depressed. Significant gender differences were also found in psychological adjustment to diabetes. The psychological factors negatively related with the psychological adjustment to diabetes in men and women are depressive coping and depressive symptomatology.

Reasons for dropout in infertility treatment.

Background: The objective of this study was to explore the reasons why couples discontinue fertility treatment. Methods: A retrospective exploratory study was performed at the Leuven University Fertility Centre, a university hospital-based fertility center. Women who discontinued treatment between September 2000 and December 2001 were contacted in 2004–2005 by telephone for a standardized interview which covered 9 dropout reasons. For each reason, its importance on the decision to stop treatment was measured on an 11-point Likert scale. Results: On average, psychological burden (x = 5.96) had the highest impact on the decision to stop treatment followed by physical burden (x = 4.48) and female age (x = 3.64). Perceived lack of staff expertise (x = 1.84), negative impact on social contacts (x = 2.12) and financial burden (x = 2.16) had the lowest impact on the decision to stop treatment. Longer duration of infertility was significantly positively correlated with a higher rating of physical burden as a reason to discontinue treatment (r = 0.48; p < 0.05). Discussion: On average, psychological burden appears to be most frequently named as the number one reason to discontinue infertility treatment, whereas financial burden had the lowest impact. Longer duration of infertility is associated with more externalizing reasons to discontinue treatment.

Sexual, Psychological, and Relational Functioning in Women after Surgical Treatment for Vulvar Malignancy: A Literature Review

INTRODUCTIONnVulvectomy is an intrusive treatment option for women with vulvar malignancy that theoretically may affect sexual function.nnnAIMnThis study aims to provide a comprehensive review of the literature on the impact of surgical treatment for vulvar malignancy on sexual functioning, overall quality of life, and partner relationship.nnnMETHODSnSystematic search of the medical literature on PubMed, PsycINFO, Cochrane database, Google Scholar and Embase using a number of related terms including vulvar malignancy, vulvar cancer, vulva cancer, vulval cancer, vulvectomy, sexual function, partner relation, quality of life, and psychological functioning.nnnMAIN OUTCOME MEASUREnMeasures and indicators of sexual function, overall quality of life, and partner relationship following vulvectomy for vulvar malignancy.nnnRESULTSnThere is evidence that women who undergo surgical treatment for vulvar cancer or vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia are at high risk for sexual dysfunctions, dissatisfaction with partner relationship, and psychological difficulties. Factors associated with posttreatment sexual dysfunction include patients increased age, poor overall well-being, history of depression, anxiety, and excision size of vulvar malignancy.nnnCONCLUSIONSnSurgical treatment of vulvar cancer has a negative impact on sexual function, quality of life, and satisfaction with partner relationship. However, hitherto only little research effort has been directed to postoperative sexual well-being in vulvar cancer survivors. There is a need for more methodological sound prospective studies that explore sexual function, quality of life, and partner relationship and its predictors over time in vulvar cancer patients.

Sexual Functioning in Women Using Levonorgestrel‐Releasing Intrauterine Systems as Compared to Copper Intrauterine Devices

INTRODUCTIONnThere has been little research published on the impact of intrauterine contraceptive (IUC) methods on sexual functioning.nnnAIMSnThis study aimed: (i) to assess different aspects of sexual functioning, including the prevalence of sexual dysfunction in women using a levonorgestrel intrauterine system (LNG-IUS); (ii) to compare this prevalence with that among copper-releasing intrauterine device (Cu-IUD) users; and (iii) to identify the relationship between psychological variables and sexual functioning in women using one of the aforementioned IUCs.nnnMETHODSnIn a multicenter cross-sectional study, 845 women with an IUC were invited to fill out a questionnaire. The latter was returned by 402 (48%) of them: 353 women were LNG-IUS users (88%) and 49 were Cu-IUD users (12%). The questions asked pertained to depression, well-being, marital relation quality, and sexual functioning.nnnMAIN OUTCOME MEASURESnSexual functioning was measured with the short sexual functioning scale.nnnRESULTSnOne-third of LNG-IUS users (33%) reported a sexual dysfunction. Of those, 20% reported an increased sexual desire, 25% a decreased sexual desire, 5% arousal problems, and 8% orgasm problems. Women using a LNG-IUS did not differ significantly in distribution, type, or prevalence (32.9% vs. 36.7%) of sexual dysfunction, nor in depressive symptoms (Beck Depression Inventory score; 4.7 vs. 3.9; Pu2003=u20030.33), general well-being (WHO-5 well-being scale score; 16.8 vs. 17.7; Pu2003=u20030.170), or partner relationship quality (Dyadic Adjustment Scale score; 107 vs. 108; Pu2003=u20030.74) compared to Cu-IUD users. Overall, the perceived influence of IUCs on sexual functioning was in the lower range and did not differentiate LNG-IUS greatly from Cu-IUD-users.nnnCONCLUSIONnWomen using a LNG-IUS do not differ from those wearing a Cu-IUD with regard to psychological and sexual functioning. The perceived impact of IUD use on sexuality should not be overestimated.