Among patients with psychotic disorders, men in particular may experience significant sexual dysfunction, according to Clayton. They are less likely than women with psychotic conditions to be involved in sexual activity with another person, and they have problems throughout the phases of the sexual response cycle.
Individuals with anxiety disorders can have problems with arousal and orgasm, Clayton said. "If you don't get arousal, it is hard to have an orgasm. And then as a result, you start to see decreased desire--mostly avoidance, performance anxiety or concerns that it is not going to work right," she added.
Patients with substance use disorders, such as alcoholism, may also experience sexual dysfunction.
Psychosocial assessments should be an integral part of patient evaluations, several committees emphasized. For example, Hatzichristou et al. (2004) wrote:
The physician should carefully assess past and present partner relationships. Sexual dysfunction may affect the patient's self-esteem and coping ability, as well as his or her social relationships and occupational performance.They added "the physician should not assume that every patient is involved in a monogamous, heterosexual relationship."
More in-depth guidance on the psychosocial assessment was provided by the Committee on Sexual Dysfunctions in Men (Lue et al., 2004b). They presented a new screening tool for male sexual function (Male Scale) that includes psychosocial and sexual function assessments as well as a medical assessment. The psychosocial assessment asks the male patient, for example, whether he has sexual fears or inhibitions; problems finding partners; uncertainty about his sexual identity; a history of emotional or sexual abuse; significant relationship problems with family members; occupational and social stresses; and a history of depression, anxiety or emotional problems. Another critical aspect of assessment "is the identification of patient needs, expectations, priorities and treatment preferences, which may be significantly influenced by cultural, social, ethnic and religious perspectives" (Lue et al., 2004b).
The Committee on Sexual Dysfunctions in Women emphasized that assessment of psychosocial and psychosexual history is strongly recommended for all sexual dysfunctions (Basson et al., 2004a). The psychosocial history needs to establish the woman's current mood and mental health; identify the nature and duration of her current relationships, as well as societal values and beliefs impacting sexual problems; clarify the woman's developmental history as it relates to caregivers, siblings, traumas and losses; clarify circumstances, including relationship at the time of the onset of sexual problems; clarify the woman's personality factors; and clarify her partner's mood and mental health.
For women who disclose a history of past sexual abuse, further assessment was recommended (Basson et al., 2004a):
This includes assessment of the woman's recovery from the abuse (with or without past therapy), whether she has a history of recurrent depression, substance abuse, self-harm or promiscuity, if she is unable to trust people, especially those of the same gender as the perpetrator, or if she has an exaggerated need for control or need to please (and an inability to say no). The details of the abuse may be needed, especially if they were previously unaddressed. Assessment of the sexual dysfunctions per se may be deferred temporarily.
