Published-Ahead-of-Print June 28, 2006, DOI:10.2164/jandrol.106.000638
Journal of Andrology, Vol. 27, No. 6, November/December 2006
Copyright © American Society of Andrology
DOI: 10.2164/jandrol.106.000638
Assessment of the Relational Factor in Male Patients Consulting for Sexual Dysfunction: The Concept of Couple Sexual Dysfunction
GIOVANNI CORONA*,
,
LUISA PETRONE*,
EDOARDO MANNUCCI
,
ANGELA MAGINI*,
FRANCESCO LOTTI*,
VALDO RICCA
,
VALERIO CHIARINI
,
GIANNI FORTI* AND
MARIO MAGGI*
From the * Andrology Unit, Department of Clinical
Physiopathology, Diabetes Section;
Geriatric
Unit, Department of Critical Care;
Psychiatry
Unit, Department of Neurological and Psychiatric Sciences, University of
Florence, Florence, Italy; and the
Endocrinology Unit, Maggiore-Bellaria
Hospital, Bologna, Italy.
|
Correspondence to: Prof Mario Maggi, Andrology Unit, Department of Clinical
Physiopathology, Viale Pieraccini 6, 50139 Florence, Italy (e-mail:
m.maggi{at}dfc.unifi.it). |
In a consecutive series of 1140 male subjects reporting a stable couple
relationship and different degrees of sexual dysfunction, we evaluated the
impact of relational factors, as assessed by the Structured Interview on
Erectile Dysfunction (SIEDY) Scale 2 (exploring, as reported by the patient,
menopausal symptoms, partner's medical illness interfering with sexual
activity, and reduced partner desire and climax). We found that the SIEDY
Scale 2 is significantly and independently associated with erectile
dysfunction (ED), delayed ejaculation, hypoactive sexual desire, and decreased
frequency of intercourse. SIEDY Scale 2 scores are associated with an advanced
age of the partner and a long couple relationship, independently from
patient's age. In addition, an increased relational factor correlates with
increased extramarital affairs, conflicts in the couple, alcohol abuse, and
presence of depressive symptoms, as assessed by the Middlesex Hospital
Questionnaire. Our results should encourage the andrologist to consider the
context in which sexual symptoms develop, analyzing the relationship and
partner's behaviors and diseases. Resolving, or at least ameliorating, the
relational background and the sexual framework might help in treating male
sexual dysfunction.
Key words: Erectile dysfunction, SIEDY, structured interview, delayed ejaculation, hypoactive sexual desire, couple sexual dysfunction
Copyright © 2006 by The American Society of Andrology.