Relationship Between Female Sexual Difficulties and Mental Health in Patients Referred to Two Public and Private Settings in Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Introduction Sexual difficulty has various effects on patients suffering from this condition that can impact on interpersonal and marital relationships. Sexual function may be adversely affected by stress of any kind and emotional disorders. There have been limited studies focusing on the mental health of those suffering from this problem. Aim To determine the relationship between sexual difficulties and mental health in female patients seeking help in psychiatric clinics. Methods The study was based on the case–control design methodology in which the case group consisted of 165 outpatients of two psychiatric clinics, who were diagnosed with different mental disorders such as depression, anxiety, phobia, aggression, and somatic complaints (33 subjects for each type of disorder). The 33 subjects in the control group were chosen among the patients’ relatives and visitors who had no history of either seeking psychiatric help or taking psychiatric drugs. The subjects of both case and control groups were selected based on a convenience sampling method. Moreover, the data were collected based on two techniques of “interview” and “questionnaire;” the latter was of three different subcategories, each dealt with demographic characteristics, sexual difficulties, and a Symptom Check-List-90-Revised. Main Outcome Measure Assessing female sexual difficulties associated with mental health and differences between women with and without psychiatric problems. Results The obtained results indicated that there was a significant difference between the prevalence of sexual difficulties (e.g., sexual desire and orgasm disorders) in the case group and that of the control group. It was also revealed that there was a significant difference between the depressed, aggressive, as well as those with somatic complaints, and their control group counterparts. Conclusions In Iran, sexual difficulties seem to be more frequent in those seeking psychiatric help in clinics than in those within the normal population.

Impact of Nonorganic Erectile Dysfunction on Spouses: A Study from India

“…It is also important to remember that psychopathology in the spouse can contribute to sexual maladjustment and ED in male partner due to its effect on the interpersonal relationship domain in general and sexual relationship per se in the form of reduced desire, pain symptoms, reduced satisfaction, reduced pleasure, etc. as reported earlier [30,31]. However, our study did not address this issue.…”

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Sexual Dysfunction in Postpartum Australian Women

“…Azar et al. [52] demonstrated a significant association between depression and sexual difficulties in their study. The rate of sexual dysfunction was reported to be 91.5% among depressed women, whereas it was 66.7% among non‐depressed women.…”

“…Their study supported the findings of an earlier study by Dolezal et al [51] in which a link between depression and sexual abstinence was reported. Azar et al [52] demonstrated a significant association between depression and sexual difficulties in their study. The rate of sexual dysfunction was reported to be 91.5% among depressed women, whereas it was 66.7% among non-depressed women.…”

“…The rate of sexual dysfunction was reported to be 91.5% among depressed women, whereas it was 66.7% among non‐depressed women. Depressed women also suffered more severe forms of sexual desire disorder and orgasmic dysfunction [52]. A later study by Shifren et al.…”

Sexualité et satisfaction conjugale des femmes ayant des symptômes dépressifs :

“…En ce sens, les femmes ayant des symptômes dépressifs ont des résultats significativement inférieurs sur plus de la moitié des sous-échelles évaluant le fonctionnement sexuel, i.e., pensées sexuelles et libido (désir sexuel, intérêt sexuel; p < 0,06), fréquence des activités sexuelles, satisfaction sexuelle par rapport au partenaire et problèmes affectant le fonctionnement sexuel (lubrification vaginale, dysfonctions sexuelles, dyspareunie, problèmes affectifs reliés à la sexualité, problèmes orgasmiques, préoccupations sexuelles) et sur l'échelle globale évaluant le fonctionnement sexuel général. Ces résultats concordent avec ceux obtenus dans plusieurs autres études mentionnées précédemment (Azar et al, 2007;Clayton et al, 1997;Cyranowski, Bromberger et al, 2004;Frohlich & Meston, 2002;Kuffel & Heiman, 2006;Mathew & Weinman, 1982).…”