The impact of daily sexual desire and daily sexual desire discrepancy on the quality of the sexual experience in couples

Abstract Background Sexual function is often affected in patients suffering from chronic diseases especially chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, the effect of COPD on sexual satisfaction is underappreciated in clinical practice. The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of COPD on patient’s sexuality and the explanatory variables of sexual dissatisfaction. Methods Questionnaires were emailed to participants and they submitted their responses on the Santé Respiratoire France website. Data about sexual well-being (Arizona Sexual Experience Scale, ASEX), Quality of life (VQ11), anxiety, depression (Hospitalized anxiety and depression, HAD) and self-declared COPD grade were collected. Results Seven hundred and fifty one subjects were included and were characterized as follows: women—51%, mean age—61 years, in a couple—62% and 70%—retired. Every grade of COPD was represented. Out of 751 participants, 301 participants (40%) had no sexual activity and 450 (60%) had sexual activity. From the 450 participants, 60% needed to change their sexual life because of their disease (rhythm, frequency and position). Subjects often used medications to improve sexual performance (43% used short-acting bronchodilator and 13% -specific erectile dysfunction drugs). ASEX questionnaire confirmed patients’ dissatisfaction (diminution of sexual appetite for 68% and sexual desire for 60%) because of breathlessness and fatigue. Eighty one percent of the responders had an altered quality of life (VQ11 mean score 35) and frequent suspected anxiety or depression (HAD mean score 10.8). Ninety percent declared that sexual dysfunction had never been discussed by their doctors, while 36% of patients would have preferred to undergo a specialized consultation. Conclusion Sexual dysfunction is frequent among COPD patients and leads to an altered well-being, however being a cultural taboo, it remains frequently neglected. Sexual guidance should be a part of patient’s consultations improve quality of sexual life.

Download Full-text

Effects of combined oral contraceptives on the sexuality and quality of life of women

GYNECOLOGY ◽

10.26442/20795696.2019.2.190387 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 21 (2) ◽

pp. 66-70

Author(s):

Rushanya I Gabidullina ◽

Elvira I Galimyanova ◽

Rufat R Bagirli ◽

Anastasiya M Sharapova

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Oral Contraceptives ◽

Sexual Desire ◽

Control Method ◽

Sexual Interest ◽

Sexual Life ◽

Cochrane Library ◽

High Concentration ◽

The Impact

Aim. Examine the impact of combined oral contraceptive on sexuality and the quality of women’s life. Materials and methods. The article presents a review of Electronic literature databases MEDLINE, PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library and Elibrary. Results. Since its first introduction in the 1960s, hormonal contraception has been widely used as a highly effective birth control method. However, the hormonal components of oral contraceptives affect the neuroendocrine system of women, exerting various effects on mood, libido, on sexuality and quality of life in general. Based on literature data the effect of contraception on sexuality, the physiological and emotional state of women are various. It is known that the hormonal supplementation of sexual desire is associated with ovarian hormones. At the same time, a high concentration of estrogen and testosterone receptors has been determined in the hypothalamus, which controls sexual function and mood. The mechanisms to implement the effects of androgen and progesterone on sexual desire are ambiguous. It was found a positive relationship between a sexual interest, sexual response, sexual fantasy, frequency of sexual intercourse and a testosterone level. At the same time, it is known that estradiol can increase the ability of women to orgasmic response and sexual satisfaction by acting on specific brain structures. Conclusion. The effect of contraception on women’s sexual life is an important factor when choosing a method of contraception and an integral part in the obstetrician-gynecologist’s practice, which requires further research in this direction.

Download Full-text

Impact of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction on Female Sexual Function and Mental Health in Patients with Breast Cancer

10.21203/rs.3.rs-503918/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Yun-Chen Chang ◽

Gen-Min Lin ◽

Tzu-Lin Yeh ◽

Yuh‑Ming Chang ◽

Chun-Yin Yeh ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Quality Of Life ◽

Mental Health ◽

Sexual Function ◽

Stress Reduction ◽

Sexual Desire ◽

Female Sexual Function ◽

Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction ◽

The Impact

Abstract PurposeThere have been few studies using mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) to improve sexual function in Asian women with breast cancer. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of mindfulness intervention on female sexual function, mental health and quality of life in patients with breast cancer.MethodsFifty-one women with breast cancer were allocated into 6-week MBSR (n=26) session or usual care (n=25), without differences in group characteristics. The research tools included the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales-21 (DASS-21), and the EuroQol instrument (EQ-5D). The Greene Climacteric Scale (GCS) was used to verify the foregoing scale. The effects of MBSR were evaluated by the differences between the post- and pre-intervention score in each scale. Statistical analyses consisted of descriptive dataset and Mann-Whitney ranked-pairs test.ResultsAlthough MBSR did not significantly improve sexual desire and depression in patients with breast cancer, MBSR could improve parts of female sexual function [i.e. Δarousal: 5.73 vs. -5.96, Δlubrication: 3.35 vs. -3.48, and Δsatisfaction: 8.48 vs. 1.76; all p <.005] assessed by the FSFI, and mental health [Δanxiety: -10.92 vs.11.36 and Δstress: -10.96 vs.11.40; both p <.001] assessed by the DASS-21.ConclusionOur study revealed that MBSR can improve female sexual function and mental health except sexual desire and depression in women with breast cancer. Medical staffs can incorporate MBSR into clinical health education for patients with breast cancer to promote their overall quality of life.

Download Full-text

Self-Compassion and Quality of Life in Adults Who Stutter

American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology ◽

10.1044/2020_ajslp-20-00055 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 29 (4) ◽

pp. 2097-2108

Author(s):

Robyn L. Croft ◽

Courtney T. Byrd

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Social Connectedness ◽

The Self ◽

Future Research ◽

Self Compassion ◽

Adults Who Stutter ◽

And Gender ◽

Relationship Of ◽

The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this study was to identify levels of self-compassion in adults who do and do not stutter and to determine whether self-compassion predicts the impact of stuttering on quality of life in adults who stutter. Method Participants included 140 adults who do and do not stutter matched for age and gender. All participants completed the Self-Compassion Scale. Adults who stutter also completed the Overall Assessment of the Speaker's Experience of Stuttering. Data were analyzed for self-compassion differences between and within adults who do and do not stutter and to predict self-compassion on quality of life in adults who stutter. Results Adults who do and do not stutter exhibited no significant differences in total self-compassion, regardless of participant gender. A simple linear regression of the total self-compassion score and total Overall Assessment of the Speaker's Experience of Stuttering score showed a significant, negative linear relationship of self-compassion predicting the impact of stuttering on quality of life. Conclusions Data suggest that higher levels of self-kindness, mindfulness, and social connectedness (i.e., self-compassion) are related to reduced negative reactions to stuttering, an increased participation in daily communication situations, and an improved overall quality of life. Future research should replicate current findings and identify moderators of the self-compassion–quality of life relationship.

Download Full-text

Surgery for Lung Cancer and the Consequences for the Swallow

Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups ◽

10.1044/persp1.sig13.162 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 1 (13) ◽

pp. 162-168

Author(s):

Pippa Hales ◽

Corinne Mossey-Gaston

Keyword(s):

Lung Cancer ◽

Treatment Options ◽

Vocal Cord Palsy ◽

Subsequent Treatment ◽

Physiological Reserve ◽

Palliative Phase ◽

And Function ◽

The Impact ◽

Swallow Function

Lung cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers across Northern America and Europe. Treatment options offered are dependent on the type of cancer, the location of the tumor, the staging, and the overall health of the person. When surgery for lung cancer is offered, difficulty swallowing is a potential complication that can have several influencing factors. Surgical interaction with the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) can lead to unilateral vocal cord palsy, altering swallow function and safety. Understanding whether the RLN has been preserved, damaged, or sacrificed is integral to understanding the effect on the swallow and the subsequent treatment options available. There is also the risk of post-surgical reduction of physiological reserve, which can reduce the strength and function of the swallow in addition to any surgery specific complications. As lung cancer has a limited prognosis, the clinician must also factor in the palliative phase, as this can further increase the burden of an already compromised swallow. By understanding the surgery and the implications this may have for the swallow, there is the potential to reduce the impact of post-surgical complications and so improve quality of life (QOL) for people with lung cancer.

Download Full-text