Introduction It has been proposed that women's sexual problems/dysfunctions, in the absence of personal and interpersonal distress, may have little clinical importance, as they may not necessarily affect women's sexual satisfaction. However, data are missing to support such interpretation. Aim The objective of the present study was to examine whether the presence of a sexual problem necessary affects women's satisfaction with sexual function. Method The study included 164 women who visited a general hospital because of symptoms not related to their sexual function and were asked to complete voluntarily and anonymously demographic data and two questionnaires. Main Outcome Measures Women completed the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI)—an instrument which evaluates women sexual function—and the Symptom Checklist of Sexual Function—women version (SCSF-w), a screening tool of women's self-perception of sexual function. Results Mean patients’ age was 43 ± 12.6 (18–72) years. According to the FSFI, 48.8% of the participants had a sexual dysfunction. However, based on their self-perception of sexual function (SCSF), 80.5% of the sample declared to be satisfied with their sexual function, despite the fact that 69.5% of them reported at least one sexual problem. Of all women, only 26.2% would like to talk about their sexual problem(s) with a doctor (57.4% of those who are “bothered” by their sexual symptoms). Logistic regression analysis revealed no association between any sexual dysfunction and women's satisfaction from their sexual function. Conclusion Despite the presence of sexual problem(s), women may be satisfied with their sexual function, but half of those who are bothered would like to talk about it with their doctor. The presence of a sexual problem or its severity is not a determinant of women's help-seeking behavior. Such data strongly support current definitions of women's sexual dysfunction, where the presence of personal distress has been included as a crucial dimension.

Purpose To explore the life satisfaction of patients with erectile dysfunction (ED) and to examine the relation between severity of ED and life satisfaction. Materials and Methods The study sample was recruited from patients who presented in an andrologic outpatient clinic complaining of ED. All patients underwent the basic clinical evaluation and were assessed by the International Index of Erectile Dysfunction (IIEF) and the Life Satisfaction Inventory (LSI). Results The study included 69 patients with ED (age range 22–71 years, mean 49.5, SD 13.7). The LSI appeared to have satisfactory internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.82). Men with ED had significantly lower satisfaction with their sexual life (t = −13.756, d.f. = 68, P = 0.000), but also significantly lower total score of satisfaction with their life (t = −2.793, d.f. = 68, P = 0.007) compared with available normative data from healthy population. However, when compared with controls, men with ED showed significantly higher satisfaction scores on their financial status (t = 5.075, d.f. = 68, P = 0.000) and on their leisure time activities (t = 4.029, d.f. = 68, P = 0.000). Regarding ED severity, mild ED affects patients’ satisfaction with sexual life less than do moderate and severe ED. Interestingly, no difference was identified between moderate and severe ED groups. Conclusions Men who seek help for ED have lower satisfaction with sexual life and lower satisfaction with their overall life compared with healthy people. Severity of ED seems to be an important factor, as men with moderate ED perceive the impact of ED on their life satisfaction equally with those with severe ED. ED patients gain more satisfaction from other domains of their life, provided they adopt coping behaviors that help compensate for their low overall life satisfaction. Furthermore, as ED patients do not differ from healthy people in their expressed subjective rating of quality of life (QoL), life satisfaction may be more sensitive than QoL assessment in the evaluation of the impact of ED on our patients’ life.

Purpose To describe the development and assess the outcome of a workshop on erectile dysfunction (ED) management based on participating physicians evaluations. Method The study involved physicians who attended a workshop offered throughout the country, during a 3-year period. The workshop included tutorials, video-based dramatizations, and role-play sessions. A pilot study investigated the workshop's impact on physicians’ attitudes toward patient-centeredness and sexual behavior issues; Patient–Practitioner Orientation Scale (PPOS) and Cross Cultural Attitude Scale (CCAS) were administered before and after the course. New knowledge acquisition, quality of presentation, and workshop's usefulness in their clinical practice were the dimensions used for workshop's evaluation. Analysis used quantitative and qualitative methods. Results A total of 194 questionnaires were administered during the pilot study and the response rate was 53.6%. A shift in attitudes toward patient-centeredness and less judgmental attitude toward patients’ sexual attitudes were revealed (total PPOS score and Sharing subscale: P < 0.05, CCAS: P < 0.001). Six hundred physicians were asked to evaluate the workshops and the response rate was 62.3%. The tutorial session for “medical treatment of ED” (P < 0.001) and the role-play on sexual history taking (P < 0.05) received higher evaluation scores. Qualitative analysis showed that the most frequently reported category referred to the appropriateness of role-play as a teaching and awareness-raising technique (31.25%); a need for changes in clinical practice and communication patterns was identified by 20% of the participants who stressed the necessity for multidisciplinary approach, as well as the adoption of a nonjudgmental attitude toward patients. Conclusion Training courses on ED management, using a combination of tutorial and interactive sessions, constitute an effective way of providing knowledge, enhancing physicians’ communication skills with ED patients, and influencing attitudes toward patient-centeredness in sexual issues. Such results strongly support the establishment of sexual medicine courses at continuing medical education curricula.