Background: A critical component of sexual health is healthy sexual functioning; being able to experience sexual enjoyment and satisfaction when desired. Sexual difficulties are not unusual and can have either physical or psychological causes. An estimated 100 million males worldwide suffer from erectile dysfunction (ED), with the expectation that this sexual problem will increase to 322 million cases by the year 2025 (Bacon, Mittleman, Kawachi, Giovannicci, Glasser, & Rimm, 2003). The prevalence of ED greatly escalates in older males and those with Cardiovascular Disease, Hyperlipidemia, and Diabetes due to related endothelial dysfunction (Bivalacqua, Usta, Champion, Kadowitz, & Hellstrom, 2003). Sexual dysfunction is a concern for all males, including those over the age of 65. Because sexual function or sexuality is a critical factor contributing to the quality of life among older adults (Gelfand, 2000; Robinson & Molzahn, 2007), attention to sexual dysfunction is needed to ensure a high quality of life among older adult males (Vincent & Velkoff, 2010). Furthermore, psychological and emotional stress have been associated with sexual dysfunction among males; both as a cause and a result of this condition. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the level of distress associated with perceived stress and sexual function among community-dwelling older adult males in stable relationships. Study Aims: The study aims are to 1) describe perceived stress and sexual function in a community-dwelling older adult male population, 2) describe the relationship between perceived stress and sexual function, and 3) describe the relationship between perceived stress and sexual function while controlling for individual characteristics of the sample. Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional research design was used. The sampling technique was a convenience sample of males aged 65 and older enrolled in a university affiliated lifelong learning institute in the southwestern United States. Inclusion criterion consisted of independent, active males aged 65 and older, in addition to being able to speak and read English. Exclusionary criterion comprised of those who have cognitive impairment determined by an Abbreviated Mental Test Score (AMTS) of six or less. Results: The majority of the 92 participants were between the ages of 65-70 and Caucasian. Overall, the sample was highly educated with most holding an Associate college degree or more advanced degree, was married, in age-related retirement, currently not working, and considered them self financially within the middle to higher middle-income level. Over half declared they have had sexual activity in the last month with an average level of sexual functioning and above average level of sexual satisfaction. In general, the participants indicated they are not stressed. There is a significant and negative correlation between perceived stress and sexual function (satisfaction). There is a significant relationship between perceived stress and Obesity with sexual function (erection, ejaculation, and satisfaction). Significant univariate effects were found on age with sexual function (erection, ejaculation, and satisfaction). Furthermore, significant univariate effects were found on Obesity with sexual function (ejaculation and satisfaction). Subsequently, a significant univariate effect was found on Cancer with sexual function (satisfaction). Significance: These study findings may serve as a foundation for enhancing sexual function; thus, establishing improved sexual health and quality of life among older adult males.

Cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART) is a novel family of peptides, of which CART peptide fragments 55-102 and 62-102 are reported to be the endogenous, physiologically active peptides. Immunohistochemical studies with an antiserum directed against the CART peptide fragment 55-102 revealed CART-like immunoreactive (CART-LI) nerve fibers in the rat epididymis. The number was highest in the cauda epididymis and became progressively fewer toward the caput epididymis; the vas deferens exhibited an abundance of CART-LI fibers. Injection of the retrograde tracer Fluorogold (Fluorochrome, Inc., Englewood, CO) to the junction between the vas deferens and cauda epididymis labeled a large number of neurons in the major pelvic ganglion, some of which were CART-positive. Double-labeling the ganglion sections with tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and CART antisera revealed that CART-LI and TH-LI were expressed in two distinct populations of ganglion cells. Some of the TH-LI cells in the ganglia, however, were covered with web-like CART-LI endings. The effects of CART peptide 55-102, referred to herein as CART, on anion secretion in the form of short circuit currents (Isc) were assessed in cultured epithelia. The CART (1 to 5 μM) applied to the basolateral or apical side of the cultured epithelia caused no significant responses on Isc, whereas lys-bradykinin (1 μM) produced a large Isc response in the same preparations. Our results show that CART-LI is present in a population of rat pelvic ganglion cells, which may give rise to CART-LI nerve fibers as observed in the vas deferens and the epididymis. The biological function of CART in the rat epididymis is not known, but it apparently is not involved in ion secretion across the epithelium.

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No description available.

6 Abstract Background: Obesity and associated comorbidities increase the probability of sexual disorders. We aimed to assess sexual satisfaction in obese women before and after bariatric surgery using the validated Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and also to assess sexual satisfaction in obese women in comparison with women of normal weight. We also compared the frequency of female sexual dysfunction (FSD) of the participants. Methods: 60 obese women 5.99 completed the questionnaire on sexual satisfaction (FSFI) before a bariatric procedure (laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding, 22 women; gastric plication, 33 women; and biliopancreatic diversion, 5 women), 6 months and 12 months after the procedure, i.e. after a significant weight reduction (final BMI of . The control group consisted of 60 women of normal weight (mean BMI of 22.2 1.9 domains, with higher scores indicating better sexual function. The FSFI total score (range 2- dicating FSD. Results: Baseline sexual function in the preoperative obese female was significantly lower than in the control group of women of normal weight (p < 0.01) in each domain. Average postoperative FSFI scores increased from preoperative levels in all domains, but significant improvement occurred only in the domain for desire (p < 0.01). The results at 6 and 12 months...

Vaginismus is defined as a persistent difficulty with vaginal entry, despite a woman’s expressed wish, due to muscle tension, avoidance, and/or pain (Basson et al., 2003). The disorder is classified as a sexual dysfunction; however, there is a paucity of literature on the sexual response, sexual function, and sexual behaviour of women with vaginismus. This thesis research was designed to investigate the differential aspects of sexual health in women with lifelong vaginismus, compared to women with lifelong dyspareunia (pain with intercourse) and women with pain-free intercourse. In the first study, 45 women viewed erotic films, of which one set depicted penetration and the other did not. Physiological sexual arousal was assessed via thermography. Subjective responses to films were assessed with questionnaires. Despite significantly greater negative emotions and lower mental sexual arousal in response to erotic stimuli, women with vaginismus showed genital arousal comparable to the comparison groups. In the second study, 174 women completed an online survey. Women with vaginismus reported more sexual difficulties than the no-pain group and a restricted range of lifetime sexual behaviours and lower frequency of intercourse attempts/experiences than the comparison groups. Women with vaginismus and dyspareunia reported more anxiety during sexual activity and a restricted sexual behaviour repertoire in the previous year and month compared to the no-pain group. Women with vaginismus endorsed more negative cognitions related to penetration, specifically concerns about losing control of their body and the situation. The findings suggest that sexual function difficulties and restricted behavioural repertoire may be associated with negative emotions and maladaptive cognitions. Women with vaginismus may avoid encounters that could lead to intercourse. Alternatively, the negative response to sexual stimuli may be indicative of a more global negative response to sexuality beyond intercourse. The negative penetration-related cognitions, negative responses to sexual stimuli, anxiety during sexual activity, and reduced range and frequency of sexual behaviours of women with vaginismus provide support for the Fear-Avoidance Model of Vaginismus. The impairment in sexual functioning supports the need to move beyond the singular treatment focus of making intercourse possible to an approach that addresses overall sexual rehabilitation.

Vaginismus is defined as a persistent difficulty with vaginal entry, despite a woman’s expressed wish, due to muscle tension, avoidance, and/or pain (Basson et al., 2003). The disorder is classified as a sexual dysfunction; however, there is a paucity of literature on the sexual response, sexual function, and sexual behaviour of women with vaginismus. This thesis research was designed to investigate the differential aspects of sexual health in women with lifelong vaginismus, compared to women with lifelong dyspareunia (pain with intercourse) and women with pain-free intercourse. In the first study, 45 women viewed erotic films, of which one set depicted penetration and the other did not. Physiological sexual arousal was assessed via thermography. Subjective responses to films were assessed with questionnaires. Despite significantly greater negative emotions and lower mental sexual arousal in response to erotic stimuli, women with vaginismus showed genital arousal comparable to the comparison groups. In the second study, 174 women completed an online survey. Women with vaginismus reported more sexual difficulties than the no-pain group and a restricted range of lifetime sexual behaviours and lower frequency of intercourse attempts/experiences than the comparison groups. Women with vaginismus and dyspareunia reported more anxiety during sexual activity and a restricted sexual behaviour repertoire in the previous year and month compared to the no-pain group. Women with vaginismus endorsed more negative cognitions related to penetration, specifically concerns about losing control of their body and the situation. The findings suggest that sexual function difficulties and restricted behavioural repertoire may be associated with negative emotions and maladaptive cognitions. Women with vaginismus may avoid encounters that could lead to intercourse. Alternatively, the negative response to sexual stimuli may be indicative of a more global negative response to sexuality beyond intercourse. The negative penetration-related cognitions, negative responses to sexual stimuli, anxiety during sexual activity, and reduced range and frequency of sexual behaviours of women with vaginismus provide support for the Fear-Avoidance Model of Vaginismus. The impairment in sexual functioning supports the need to move beyond the singular treatment focus of making intercourse possible to an approach that addresses overall sexual rehabilitation.

In most adult animals, stress is generally thought to be detrimental to reproductive (sexual) function. However, in humans, there is a limited body of literature that indicates some stress can potentially be beneficial for sexual function. One theory is that there is an inverted U relationship between stress and sexual function with low and high levels of stress (or anxiety) causing an impairment of sexual response, while a moderate level of stress facilitates sexual arousal. This aim of this dissertation is to identify the mechanisms through which both acute and chronic stress may facilitate or impair sexual arousal in women. In particular, I examined the role of adrenal hormones, the autonomic nervous system (ANS), and psychological factors. To test these mechanisms, I measured cortisol, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), heart rate, distraction, and misattribution of arousal during stressful and sexual laboratory situations. Two of the studies examined the effects of acute stress, and the final study focused on chronic stress. Results indicated that acute stress is beneficial for genital arousal in women, and that the sympathetic branch of the ANS is the key mechanism involved in that relationship. High levels of chronic stress were found to significantly impair genital arousal compared to average levels of chronic stress. Increased levels of cortisol and distractions contributed to this effect. DHEAS did not appear to play a role in the relationship between stress and sexual arousal, and there was no evidence for misattribution of arousal. Neither acute nor chronic stress affected women’s subjective (psychological) arousal. Acute and chronic stressors affect sexual arousal in different ways and through separate mechanisms. The findings from these studies can inform treatment approaches for women with sexual arousal difficulties. / text

Few studies have examined the relationships between recreational physical activity, body image and sexuality simultaneously. Research has demonstrated that females experience poor body satisfaction to a greater degree than men (Faith & Schare, 1993; Feingold & Mazzella, 1998), however, studies focusing on male body image and sexuality are lacking (Lavender, 2011). The objective of the current study was to investigate the relationships between recreational physical activity, body image and sexual function and satisfaction in 849 emerging adult, heterosexual men. Results indicated that engagement in recreational physical activity predicted better body image but not sexual functioning or satisfaction. Better body image predicted greater sexual function and satisfaction, and sexual function predicted greater sexual satisfaction. Implications and future research are discussed.

Bakgrund: Många patienter som är födda med en livmoder upplever livmodern som ett sexuellt organ och är vid hysterektomi rädda att förlora sin sexuella identitet. Hysterektomi, avlägsnande av livmodern, är ett av det vanligaste gynekologiska ingreppen och i Sverige genomgår cirka en av tio patienter födda med livmoder behandlingen. Teoretiskt sett kan hysterektomi påverka sexualiteten och den sexuella förmågan. Syfte: Beskriva patientens sexuella förmåga efter hysterektomi. Metod: En litteraturöversikt av tio kvantitativa artiklar som undersöker den sexuella förmågan efter hysterektomi. Datainsamlingen gjordes i databaserna PubMed och CINAHL. Resultat: Första halvåret efter hysterektomi är den sexuella förmågan försämrad för många patienter. Sex månader till två år efter operationen förbättras den sexuella förmågan eller upplevdes oförändrad. Trots försämrad sexuell förmåga efter hysterektomi upplever många patienter sexuell tillfredställelse. Dyspareuni och depressionssymtom minskas efter hysterektomi. Information innan hysterektomin om möjliga sexuella förändringar efter operationen är en bidragande faktor för sexuell tillfredställelse. Ingen skillnad mellan typ och metod av hysterektomi påvisas. Slutsats: Resultatet av studien visar att den sexuella förmågan förändras efter hysterektomi, oberoende typ av hysterektomi eller operationsmetod. Information är en bidragande faktor till att patienter upplever sexuell tillfredställelse. Klinisk Betydelse: Det är viktigt att sjuksköterskan diskuterar sexualitet med patienten innan, under och efter hysterektomi, för att kunna säkerställa en god omvårdnad. / Background: Many patients, who are born with a uterus sees the uterus as a sexual organ. In conjunction with the hysterectomy a lot of patients are anxious of losing their sexual identity. Hysterectomy, removal of the uterus, is one of the most common gynecological surgeries and in Sweden approximately one of ten patients undergo the operation. Theoretically the hysterectomy could affect sexuality and sexual function. Objective: Describe the patient's sexual function after hysterectomy. Method: A literature review of ten quantitative articles that examines sexual functioning after hysterectomy. The data was collected in PubMed and CINAHL. Results: The first six months after the hysterectomy sexual function decreased for many patients. Six months to two years after the surgery the sexual function improves or perceived unchanged. Despite if the sexual function got worsened after hysterectomy many patients experience sexual satisfaction. Dyspareunia and depression symptoms decreased after hysterectomy. Information before the hysterectomy about possible sexual changes after surgery is a contributing factor for sexual satisfaction. There was no difference between the type and method of hysterectomy. Conclusion: The results of the study show that sexual function changes after hysterectomy, regardless type of hysterectomy or surgical procedure. Information is a contributing factor to patients experiencing sexual satisfaction. Clinical Significance: It is important that the nurses are discussing sexuality with the patient before, during and after hysterectomy in order to ensure good care.