Tehran University Medical Journal

Background: Although sexual dysfunction is a common problem in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), there are sparse clinical research on the study of the correlation between OCD subtypes and different phases of sexual response cycle. This study was undertaken to assess sexual function and its different phases in a group of Iranian patients with OCD. Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study. The subjects consisted of 56 married OCD patients (36 female, 20 male) who suffered from OCD according to a psychiatric interview and DSM-IV questionnaire based on structured clinical interview for DSM (SCID). Patients were between 18 to 50 year age that had been referred to the outpatient clinic of Roozbeh Psychiatric Hospital and three private psychiatric clinics in Tehran (from September 2011 to February 2013). Five Questionnaires were used in this study: Iranian validated form of Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF), Maudsley Obsessional Compulsive Inventory (MOCI), Obsessive Compulsive Inventory-Revised (OCI-R) and a questionnaire which has provided demographic data and other relevant information regarding sexual function and OCD. Results: The prevalence of sexual dysfunction among female was 80.6% and the frequency of disorders in different subscales of FSFI including sexual desire, sexual arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction and sexual pain were 50%, 58.3%, 36.1%, 44.4%, 41.7% and 52.8% respectively. Sexual disorder is reported in 25% of male OCD patients which subscales' evaluation of IIEF shows low sexual desire in 10%, erectile disorder in 20%, orgasmic disorder in 25%, sexual dissatisfaction in 40% and 50% decreased in the total sore of IIEF. Moreover, the correlation coefficients between the total score of OCI-R with erectile and satisfaction subscales of IIEF were statistically significant. The score of washing subscale in OCI-R and sexual satisfaction was significantly correlated. Conclusion: High prevalence of sexual dysfunction in OCD women and significant correlation between male sexual dysfunction and OCD (r= -481.0 between total score of OCI-R with erectile dysfunction and r= -458.0 between total score of OCI-R and sexual satisfaction) could confirm a relation between OCD and sexual disorders. So, evaluation of sexual function in all patients with OCD is recommended.

Background: Sexual dysfunction could be under the influence of some underlying medical problems. The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between medical problems and sexual function in post-menopausal women.

Methods: This is a community-based, descriptive-correlation study of 405 post-menopausal women residing in Chalus and Nowshahr cities, North of Iran, aged 40 to 65 years old from October 2013 to May 2014. A multistage, randomized sampling was conducted. The data was acquired through interviews using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) questionnaire and a researcher-made questionnaire, and was analyzed using descriptive and analytical tests such as multiple linear regression and logistic regression models.

Results: 51.4% of the subjects had medical conditions. Cardiovascular disorders were the most common diseases among the subjects. 61% of the women were suffering from female sexual dysfunction (FSD). Sexual dysfunction in patients with medical conditions was significantly higher (P= 0.037). Scores of arousal (P= 0.000), orgasm (P= 0.018), and satisfaction (P= 0.026), as well as the FSFI total score (P= 0.005), were significantly lower in subjects with cardiovascular disorders. Scores of desire (P= 0.001), arousal (P= 0.006), lubrication (P= 0.010), orgasm (P= 0.004), and satisfaction (P= 0.022), as well as the FSFI total score (P= 0.017), were significantly lower in subjects with diabetes. Scores of pain were significantly lower in subjects with musculoskeletal disorders (P= 0.041), they experienced more pain during intercourse. In domains of arousal (P= 0.030), satisfaction (P= 0.040), and pain (P= 0.044), the scores of those taking antihypertensive medications were significantly lower than the scores of the rest of the subjects. Scores of desire (P= 0.001), arousal (P= 0.006), orgasm (P= 0.006), and satisfaction (P= 0.048), as well as the FSFI total score (P= 0.006), were significantly lower in those taking antidiabetic drugs. And lastly, the mean satisfaction score in women whose spouse had medical conditions was significantly lower (P= 0.040).

Conclusion: Cardiovascular disorders, diabetes, and musculoskeletal disorders could have a negative impact on sexual function in post-menopausal women. Thus, these diseases must be considered and treated in order to improve women’s health, particularly their sexual function.

Background: Dyspareunia is a pain that is occurs in the genital area before, during or after intercourse and is an important factor for sexual dysfunction. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of pelvic floor physical therapy on sexual function and muscle strength and endurance of pelvic floor (as a non-invasive therapy) in women with dyspareunia.

Methods: In this clinical trial study, 32 women in the age range of 20-50-year-old and sexually active with complaints of dyspareunia, before the investigation were examined in terms of genital health and strength and endurance of the pelvic floor muscles. After the confidence of mental health, patients underwent pelvic floor rehabilitation for 10 sessions during 3 months. After assessment, myofascial release techniques and progressive pelvic floor muscles exercise was performed for patients based on their primary strength. Finally, patients were compared in terms of the severity of dyspareunia, sexual performance status (by using female sexual function index questionnaire), improvement of symptoms, pelvic floor muscle strength and endurance before (first session of physiotherapy) and after (after 3 months) investigation.

Results: In the remaining 32 patients with dyspareunia with a mean age of 38±1.24 years, desire index score 0.95 unit, arousal index score 1.01 unit, lubrication index score 0.67 unit, orgasm index score 0.71 unit, satisfaction index score 1.03 unit, pain index score was increased 1.05 unit, strength index score 2.44 unit, endurance index score 7.06 unit were increased in comparison to before the investigation that showed a significant different with P< 0.0001.

Conclusion: According to obtained results, pelvic floor physical therapy had a significant effect in women with dyspareunia. So that the severity of dyspareunia, pelvic floor muscle strength and endurance had clinically significant improvement after pelvic floor physiotherapy.