Psychosexual Health and Sexuality: Multidisciplinary Considerations in Clinical Practice

Sexual functioning is a bio-psycho-social process. Sexuality is at the core of social interactions, couple relationships, intimacy, and reproduction. General medical conditions are commonly associated with sexual problems. Erectile dysfunction (ED), premature ejaculation, hypoactive sexual desire disorder, and dyspareunia are commonly associated with general medical illness. ED precedes the development of chronic coronary artery disease by a minimum of 3 years. Massachusetts Male Aging Study concluded that both type 1 and type 2 diabetics are at 3 times greater risk of ED. Sexual disorders in females involve aspects of desire, arousal, and orgasm. Prevalence of female sexual dysfunction is more common in diabetes which is mainly linked to psychosocial factors. Hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, hypogonadism, and hyperprolactinemia are commonly associated with ED. Various medications are also associated with sexual problems.