Multivariate assessment of sexual dysfunction.

Abstract

This article reviews and critiques assessment techniques used by clinicians and researchers to evaluate male, female, and couple sexual dysfunction. Because sexual dysfunction is multidimensional, these techniques are drawn from the psychological, behavioral, and physiological domains. Assessment by self-report includes evaluation by interview, by questionnaire, and by behavioral records. Various methods for the physiological assessment of male impotence and female arousal deficiency are also reviewed. Relations among measures derived from the psychological, behavioral, and physiological domains showed considerable disagreement; however, because sexual dysfunctioning derives its meaning from all three contexts, measures from one should not be considered theoretically more or less valid than those from another. Conceptual issues involved in assessment using measures and techniques from all three domains are discussed, and recommendations for future research are presented.

Multidisciplinary Evaluation of Diabetic Impotence

“…Norepi nephrine levels in the cavernosal tissue of these patients were found to be decreased in another study [23], How ever, Buvat et al [18] found the BCR latency times to be slightly higher in nonimpotent diabetic males than in the others [5], In our study group, 25 of 38 patients (65.7%) seemed to have abnormal BCR latency times and penile SEP records. Separate evaluation of 26 insulin-dependent patients revealed this incidence to be 84.6%.…”

“…[5,6], Serum FSH, LH, prolactin and testosterone levels were deter mined and, in order to show a possible neurogenic disorder, bulbo cavernous reflex latency time (BCR) and penile somatosensory evoked potentials (SEP) as well as cystometric and uroflowmetric evaluation results were obtained. During penile SEP examination the dorsal penile nerve was stimulated while the patient was in the supine position.…”

Reliability and validity of the Florida Sexual History Questionnaire

“…However, the FSHQ failed to discriminate between diabetics diagnosed as having organic or psychogenic impotence. This latter finding is discussed within the context of recent suggestions that it may not be possible to draw a clear dichotomy between organic and psychogenic impotence.Over the past 20 years, a number of self-report measures have been developed to assess sexual functioning and behavior to add more objectivity and efficiency to assessment of sexual dysfunction (Conte, 1986). Questionnaires have been developed to assess attitudes toward sex (Feldman,…”

“…Over the past 20 years, a number of self-report measures have been developed to assess sexual functioning and behavior to add more objectivity and efficiency to assessment of sexual dysfunction (Conte, 1986). Questionnaires have been developed to assess attitudes toward sex (Feldman,…”

“…Other difficulties include a lack of validity studies and a lack of normative data, especially among older adults (Conte, 1983). For example, very few instruments have been validated against the physiological measures (i.e., Nocturnal Penile Tumescence [NPT], hormonal data) now used to assess sexual dysfunction (Conte, 1986;Derogatis, 1975Derogatis, , 1978Harbison et al, 1974;Hoon et al, 1976;Rust & Golombok, 1986). In addition, most of the assessment instruments now available tend to be lengthy and difficult t o score, or they do not cover the range of behaviors that are of interest to sexual dysfunction clinics (Rust & Golombok, 1986).…”