Sexual dysfunction in substance abusers � an exploratory study

Rupesh Kumar Chaudhary; Pankaj Kumar; Bholeshwar Prasad Mishra; Avinash De Sousa

Volume : VI, Issue : VII, July - 2016

Sexual dysfunction in substance abusers � an exploratory study

Rupesh Kumar Chaudhary, Pankaj Kumar, Bholeshwar Prasad Mishra, Avinash De Sousa

Abstract :

Polysubstance dependence has been the leading cause of impotence and other disturbances in sexual dysfunction. The mechanism of sexual dysfunction in polysubstance abusers is varied and depends on the number of substance abused as well as disturbances in the hypothalamo–pituitary–gonadal axis. The aim of the present study was to assess sexual dysfunction in a sample of subjects with polysubstance dependence. 25 male subjects who presented to psychiatry department of Dayanand Medical College & Hospital, Ludhiana in outdoor and indoor facility with a diagnosis of polysubstance dependence (ICD– 10) were assessed for sexual dysfunction using an International Index of Erectile Dysfunction Scale which is a 15 question assessment tool that examines 4 domains of sexual male sexual function– erection , orgasmic, sexual desire and satisfaction. Majority of subjects in the study were above the age of 31 years. There was a significant difference in certain areas of sexual dysfunction as subjects above the age of 31 had significantly greater impairment in the area of sexual desire (p=0.022) and overall sexual satisfaction (p=0.017). Further study in greater detail with regard to sexual dysfunction is warranted in these groups of patients.