Male sexuality and regulation of emotions: a study on the association between alexithymia and erectile dysfunction (ED)

Abstract

Alexithymia is a multidimensional construct that describes a constellation of personality features characterised by difficulties in differentiating, identifying and communicating emotions. The purpose of the present study was to investigate prevalence of alexithymia in outpatients with erectile dysfunction (ED), both in the psychogenic lifelong type (PLED) and in the acquired one (PAED). ED severity was evaluated with the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) and alexithymia was measured using the Italian version of the 20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20). The results suggest a high incidence of alexithymic characteristics in patients with psychogenic ED, a positive correlation between the alexithymia level and ED severity in patients with PAED and statistically significant differences in the alexithymia level between the two subgroups PLED and PAED. We assumed that alexithymia contributes to the origin of the PLED, and to a more severe manifestation of ED, once it appears in the acquired form.

Extraversion and Neuroticism in Sexually Dysfunctional Men Suffering from Erectile Dysfunction and Premature Ejaculation: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…Therefore, personality factors impeding pharmaceutical or cognitive-behavioral management may be the hidden cause of so called drug resistance or treatment dropout. In these cases, an integrated bio-psycho-social approach, including psycho-sexual, medical and pharmacological aspects, is strongly recommended [25,62,63]. However, Extraversion as a protective factor seems to be protective in severity and management of sexual dysfunction with possible implications for clinical work.…”

“…Studies performed by Michetti et al, showed that alexithymia levels were significantly higher in patients with lifelong PE (2007) and ED (2006) [24,25]. The authors suggested that a high alexithymia level could contribute not only to the onset and persistence of a sexual disorder, but also to its severity [25].…”

“…The authors suggested that a high alexithymia level could contribute not only to the onset and persistence of a sexual disorder, but also to its severity [25]. Higher scores on the alexithymia scale were also associated with a higher probability that individuals would report some tendency to feel worried and troubled about sex because of disturbing thoughts, emotions, and actions arising from their sex lives [26].…”

Does Male Circumcision Adversely Affect Sexual Sensation, Function, or Satisfaction? Critical Comment on Morris and Krieger (2013)

“…It seems arguable that the quality assigned to a study by Morris and Krieger reflects a study's results more than the methodology used (see second footnote). Michetti et al (2006) reported increased alexithymia (a personality trait disorder associated with difficulty in emotional identification and expression) among men with ED problems [19]. In addition, in an empirical survey of alexithymia among circumcised versus genitally intact males (N = 300), Bollinger and Van Howe (p. 184) reported that circumcised men were, "4.53 times more likely to use an erectile dysfunction drug" than genitally intact men [20].…”

Alexithymia and vaginismus: a preliminary correlation perspective

“…9 Impaired cognitive processing and emotional regulation are also found in patients with various psychosomatic disorders, including male sexual and reproductive dysfunctions. [10][11][12][13] Vaginismus is a common, multifaceted sexual dysfunction defined as 'a recurrent and persistent involuntary spasm of the musculature of the outer third of the vagina that interferes with sexual intercourse' not associated with DSM IV (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders: 4th edition) Axis I psychopathological disorders.…”