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Journal of Clinical Medicine Jan 2024Treatment-emergent sexual dysfunction (TESD) is one of the most frequent and persistent adverse effects of antidepressant medication. Sexual dysfunction (SD) secondary...
UNLABELLED
Treatment-emergent sexual dysfunction (TESD) is one of the most frequent and persistent adverse effects of antidepressant medication. Sexual dysfunction (SD) secondary to SSRIs occurs in >60% of sexually active patients and >80% of healthy volunteers, with this causing treatment discontinuation in >35% of patients. However, this factor is rarely addressed in routine examinations, and only 15-30% of these events are spontaneously reported. A strategy of switching to a different non-serotonergic antidepressant could involve a risk of relapse or clinical worsening due to a lack of serotonergic activity. Vortioxetine appears to have less impact on sexual function due to its multimodal mechanism of action. No studies have been published on the effectiveness of switching to vortioxetine in patients with poorly tolerated long-term antidepressant-related SD in naturalistic settings.
STUDY OBJECTIVES
To determine the effectiveness of switching to vortioxetine due to SD in a routine clinical practice setting.
METHODOLOGY
observational pragmatic and naturalistic study to determine the effectiveness of the switch to vortioxetine (mean dosage 13.11 ± 4.03) in 74 patients aged 43.1 ± 12.65 (54% males) at risk of discontinuing treatment due to sexual dysfunction. The PRSexDQ*- SALSEX scale ( Psychotropic-Related Sexual Dysfunction Questionnaire) was applied at two moments: baseline visit and after 3 months of follow-up.
RESULTS
global Sexual Dysfunction (SD) measured with the SALSEX scale decreased significantly between the baseline visit (10.32; SD 2.73) and the follow-up visit (3.78; SD 3.68), < 0.001. There was a significant improvement ( < 0.001) at the endpoint including decreased libido, delay of orgasm, anorgasmia and arousal difficulties in both sexes. After switching to vortioxetine, 83.81% of patients experienced an improvement in sexual function (43.2% felt greatly improved). Most patients (83.3%) who switched to vortioxetine continued treatment after the follow-up visit. A total of 58.1% of patients showed an improvement in depressive symptoms from the baseline visit.
CONCLUSION
switching to vortioxetine is an effective and reliable strategy to treat patients with poorly tolerated previous antidepressant-related sexual dysfunction in real-life clinical settings.
PubMed: 38256680
DOI: 10.3390/jcm13020546 -
Sexual Medicine Dec 2023Anorgasmia is a poorly understood phenomenon defined as either a lifelong or acquired consistent inability to achieve ejaculation. Despite the prevalence of anorgasmia,...
INTRODUCTION
Anorgasmia is a poorly understood phenomenon defined as either a lifelong or acquired consistent inability to achieve ejaculation. Despite the prevalence of anorgasmia, there is currently no established treatment for the condition.
AIMS
To report a unique case of a patient with lifelong anorgasmia who was able to achieve his first orgasm with off-label use of flibanserin.
METHODS
The present case study relies on the patient's self-report and a review of the relevant literature. The patient provided written informed consent.
RESULTS
A 28-year-old male presented to our office with complaints of lifelong anorgasmia, without any signs of erectile dysfunction. He reported good libido and energy levels and denied any urinary symptoms or history of depression. The patient failed medical management with numerous off-label medications, including bupropion and bremelanotide. Despite having received 4 or 5 sex therapy sessions over 3 months, the patient reported that this treatment approach was not effective. Off-label use of flibanserin was then initiated, and after 28 to 32 doses over 4 weeks, he achieved his first orgasm. Notably, the patient experienced nocturia and insomnia. The follow-up International Index of Erectile Function score marginally improved by 2 points without any improvement in the overall satisfaction subdomain.
CONCLUSION
This case highlights the challenges of managing anorgasmia and anejaculation in a young male patient. A stepwise approach involving pharmacotherapy and sex therapy was not successful. However, the off-label use of flibanserin ultimately resulted in the patient achieving his first orgasm, albeit with some side effects. Further studies are needed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of flibanserin in men for this indication.
PubMed: 38222292
DOI: 10.1093/sexmed/qfad066 -
Sexual Medicine Dec 2023Low-dose-rate brachytherapy (LDR-B) is an established treatment for localized prostate cancer. However, while erectile function is relatively well documented, other...
BACKGROUND
Low-dose-rate brachytherapy (LDR-B) is an established treatment for localized prostate cancer. However, while erectile function is relatively well documented, other changes in sexual function are sparsely investigated.
AIM
The study sought to investigate orgasmic dysfunction, urinary incontinence during sexual activity (UIS), changes in penile morphology, and sensory disturbances in the penis following LDR-B.
METHODS
A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study in patients who underwent LDR-B at our center from 2010 to 2020. The questionnaire included the International Index of Erectile Function-Erectile Function Domain (IIEF-EF) and questions on orgasm, UIS, changes in penile morphology, and penile sensory disturbances.
OUTCOMES
Outcomes were prevalence rates of altered perception of orgasm, orgasm associated pain, anejaculation, UIS, alterations in penile morphology, penile sensory disturbances, and predictors of these side effects.
RESULTS
Overall, 178 patients responded to the questionnaire. The median age was 70 years (range, 51-83 years), and the median time since LDR-B was 93 months (range, 21-141 months).Overall, 142 (80%) were sexually active and 126 (70.8%) had erectile dysfunction (ED). Of the sexually active patients, 8 (5.6%) reported anejaculation and 7 (4.9%) reported anorgasmia. Another 67 (46.9%) had decreased orgasmic intensity, while 69 (49.3%) reported an increased time to orgasm. Twenty-six (18.3%) patients had experienced orgasm-associated pain with a median visual analog pain score of 2. Considering overlap, 44 (31.0%) patients had an unchanged orgasmic function. Six (3.3%) patients had experienced UIS at least a few times. Penile length loss was reported by 45 (25.2%) patients. Seventeen (9.6%) patients reported an altered curvature of their penis and 9 (5%) had experience painful erection. Thirty-three (18.5%) patients had experienced decreased penile sensitivity. On multivariate analyses, ED was the only independent risk factor for altered perception of orgasm (odds ratio [OR], 6.6; < .0001), orgasmic pain (OR, 5.5; = .008), and penile shortening (OR, 4.2; < .0056). No independent risk factors were identified for UIS or sensory penile disturbances.
CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS
Patients undergoing LDR-B should be adequately informed about possible side effects, and clinicians should inquire about these during follow-up visits.
STRENGTH AND LIMITATIONS
We are the first to comprehensively explore the previously neglected side effects of LDR-B for prostate cancer. Limitations are the cross-sectional design assessing the cohort at different time points following their treatment and the response rate.
CONCLUSIONS
Orgasmic dysfunction, changes in penile morphology, and sensory disturbances in the penis are common side effects of LDR-B for prostate cancer. UIS is only experienced by a small minority.
PubMed: 38074492
DOI: 10.1093/sexmed/qfad064 -
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Aug 2023International migration from high-prevalence regions has increasingly confronted non-endemic countries with female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C). Correspondingly,...
BACKGROUND
International migration from high-prevalence regions has increasingly confronted non-endemic countries with female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C). Correspondingly, Western-based health care providers have seen a greater demand for surgical reconstruction of female anatomical units. We introduce novel surgical techniques developed by the first author for clitoral and vulvovestibular reconstruction and examine operative outcomes.
METHODS
We performed a retrospective cohort study of operative outcomes of the Omega-Domed (OD) flap, Neurotizing and Molding of the Clitoral Stump (NMCS procedure) and anterior Obturator Artery Perforator (aOAP) flap for preputial, clitoral and vulvovestibular reconstruction respectively. Between 2014 and 2021 we treated patients with all types of FGM/C and analyzed various data, including demographics, clitoral sensation, and symptoms such as dysmenorrhea, dysuria, dyspareunia, and anorgasmia. We aimed to examine the efficacy and safety of these techniques in improving clitoral sensation and reducing symptoms.
RESULTS
A total of 119 women (mean age of 31.0 ± 10.4) were included. We performed the OD-flap (85%), the NMCS procedure (82%) and the aOAP-flap (36%) and had a 1-year follow-up period which was attended by 94.1% of patients. Patients significantly reported post-operative reduction of dysmenorrhea, dysuria, and dyspareunia as well as significant improvement of clitoral sensation and ability to achieve orgasm (p<0.001). There was one major complication (loss of flap) to report. Secondary ambulatory interventions were performed in 10 patients (8.4%).
CONCLUSIONS
By allowing for safe and effective anatomical reconstruction of the female genitalia, the described surgical techniques represent a new stage of treatment possibilities for women affected by FGM/C.
PubMed: 37647530
DOI: 10.1097/PRS.0000000000011026 -
Cureus Jul 2023Introduction Sexual dysfunction is rarely studied in Indonesian patients with breast cancer. We aimed to assess the prevalence of sexual dysfunction symptoms following...
Introduction Sexual dysfunction is rarely studied in Indonesian patients with breast cancer. We aimed to assess the prevalence of sexual dysfunction symptoms following chemotherapy, as well as the pattern and the associated factors. Methods This cross-sectional study included 135 female breast cancer patients receiving primary chemotherapy. The present study measured the prevalence of sexual dysfunction symptoms using an e-questionnaire containing Common Toxicity Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) version 4 at different time points. Other data included sociodemography, clinicopathology, treatment, and other concurrent symptom characteristics. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression tests were used to analyze any association among variables. Results In the whole panel, 86 (63.7%) of 135 cases experienced sexual dysfunction. The most common symptom was vaginal dryness (45.9%), followed by decreased libido (45.2%), dyspareunia (13.3%), delayed orgasm (11.1%), and anorgasmia (8.9%). When observed at five different time points, the frequency of symptoms increased during chemotherapy and persisted until six months after completing treatment. Chemotherapy duration of >120 days was associated with a higher probability of vaginal dryness (p=0.012) and decreased libido (p=0.033). Spouse age ≥55 years old and body mass index (BMI) ≥23 kg/m were associated with a reduced probability of decreased libido (p=0.033 and 0.025, respectively). The presence of comorbidity was associated with a reduced probability of delayed orgasm (p=0.034). Conclusions A significant proportion of patients with breast cancer had sexual dysfunction following chemotherapy. Vaginal dryness, decreased libido, and dyspareunia were the commonest symptoms observed. Duration of chemotherapy, spouse age, BMI, and comorbidity were associated with the risk of sexual dysfunction occurrence.
PubMed: 37449290
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.41744 -
International Journal of Impotence... May 2024Delayed orgasm (DO) is defined as increased latency of orgasm despite adequate sexual stimulation and desire. Anorgasmia (AO) is characterized as the absence of orgasm.... (Review)
Review
Delayed orgasm (DO) is defined as increased latency of orgasm despite adequate sexual stimulation and desire. Anorgasmia (AO) is characterized as the absence of orgasm. Etiologies of DO/AO include medication-induced, psychogenic, endocrine, and genitopelvic dysesthesia. Given the multifactorial complex nature of this disorder, a thorough history and physical examination represent the most critical components of patient evaluation in the clinical setting. Treating DO/AO can be challenging due to the lack of standardized FDA-approved pharmacotherapies. There is no standardized treatment plan for DO/AO, though common treatments plans are often multidisciplinary and may include adjustment of offending medications and sex therapy. In this review, we summarize the etiology, diagnosis, and treatment of DO/AO.
PubMed: 37061617
DOI: 10.1038/s41443-023-00692-7