Psychological and interpersonal dimensions of sexual function and dysfunction.

Introduction: There are limited outcome data on the etiology and efficacy of psychological interventions for male and female sexual dysfunction as well as the role of innovative combined treatment paradigms.

Aim: This study aimed to highlight the salient psychological and interpersonal issues contributing to sexual health and dysfunction, to offer an etiological model for understanding the evolution and maintenance of sexual symptoms, and to offer recommendations for clinical management and research.

Methods: This study reviewed the current literature on the psychological and interpersonal issues contributing to male and female sexual dysfunction.

Vaginal dryness: a comparison of prevalence and interventions in 11 countries.

Introduction: There is limited research comparing cross-cultural differences in women's experiences of vaginal dryness.

Aim: To examine international differences in the prevalence of vaginal dryness, the degree to which it is experienced as problematic or bothersome, the use of lubricants to alleviate it, and women's discussion of this problem with physicians.

Main Outcome Measures: Questionnaire measuring the level of vaginal dryness and degree to which it is perceived as bothersome.

Report of spontaneous and persistent genital arousal in women attending a sexual health clinic.

The frequency of spontaneous genital arousal (GA) and persistent genital arousal disorder (PGAD) in women is unknown. The aim of this study was to conduct an anonymous survey to assess the frequency and nature of spontaneous GA and PGAD in women attending a walk-in sexual health clinic in London. Female patients completed a questionnaire, which included demographic information, medical, psychiatric and gynaecology history, the hospital anxiety and depression scale, and a somatization scale.

Female sexual well-being scale (FSWB scale): development and psychometric validation in sexually functional women.

Introduction: No validated instrument exists for measuring female sexual well-being (FSWB) in women without medical/psychosocial conditions.

Aims: To develop and psychometrically validate a self-administered Female Sexual Well-Being Scale (FSWB Scale) for assessing sexual well-being in sexually functional women.

Methods: Important aspects of FSWB were identified via focus groups, debriefing interviews, and administration of an initial scale to 111 US women aged 21-72 years reporting normal sexual function (Female Sexual Function Index >26).

FSFI scores of women with persistent genital arousal disorder compared with published scores of women with female sexual arousal disorder and healthy controls.

Introduction: Although persistent genital arousal disorder (PGAD) has been mistaken for hypersexuality, there is no research documenting the sexual functioning of PGAD women to support or refute such an assumption.

Aim: To compare the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) scores of PGAD women to that of women diagnosed with female sexual arousal syndrome (FSAD) and healthy controls.

Methods: The FSFI scores of heterosexual women who met all five features qualifying for a diagnosis of PGAD (N = 172) on an online questionnaire were compared with previously published FSFI scores of women diagnosed with FSAD (N = 128) and healthy controls (N = 131).

Development and evaluation of the Women's Sexual Interest Diagnostic Interview (WSID): a structured interview to diagnose hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) in standardized patients.

Introduction: Female sexual dysfunction (FSD) is a common disorder in postmenopausal women. Currently, there is no clear "gold standard" for the diagnosis of FSD.

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the interrater reliability of the Women's Sexual Interest Diagnostic Interview (WSID), a new structured clinical interview designed to diagnose hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD).

To BATHE or not to BATHE: patient satisfaction with visits to their family physician.

Background: BATHE is an acronym for Background, Affect, Trouble, Handling, and Empathy and refers to specific questions or comments incorporated into a standard medical interview. The BATHE technique was developed as a rapid psychosocial intervention for the assessment of psychological factors that may contribute to patients' physical complaints. The present research was designed to determine whether the use of BATHE significantly increased patient satisfaction during a visit to a family physician.

Interaction of organic and psychological factors in persistent genital arousal disorder in women: a report of six cases.

There have been a number of case reports published recently describing women who complain of persistent genital arousal. Most of these papers do not report medical data or observations from genital examination. We report in such detail on six cases of persistent genital arousal disorder (PGAD) in women.

Psychological, medical, and pharmacological correlates of persistent genital arousal disorder.

Introduction: Little is known about the etiology or medical/psychological correlates of persistent genital arousal disorder (PGAD).

Aim: The aims of this article were (i) to replicate the findings of earlier research identifying two subtypes of women with persistent arousal-those who meet all features of the condition and are at least moderately distressed, and those who meet only some features and are less distressed; and (ii) to identify the medical, psychological and/or pharmacological correlates of the condition.

Method: A comprehensive web-based survey of persistent genital arousal (PGA) was posted on several Internet websites.

Normal and persistent genital arousal in women: new perspectives.

Interest in women's sexual functioning has increased in recent years although the primary emphasis has been on deficits in both genital and subjective sexual response. Female sexual psychophysiology research suggests that women are capable of greater sexual responsiveness than previously thought and can experience genital response in the absence of a subjective experience of sexual arousal. Women who report relatively persistent genital arousal, both with and without accompanying distress, provide case examples of the potential for dissociation between genital and psychological sexual response.

Persistent genital arousal: disordered or normative aspect of female sexual response?

Introduction: Persistent genital arousal disorder (PGAD), previously known as persistent sexual arousal syndrome, is a serious and extremely distressing condition. Clinical experience suggests that there may be a subset of women who experience persistent genital arousal as a normative and not especially distressing part of their sexuality.

Aim: To determine whether there are women who report unprovoked genital arousal and view it as normative, and to identify differences between women who endorse all five features of PGAD vs.

Social concerns of women undergoing infertility treatment.

Objective: Our study was undertaken to determine [1] what women are disclosing to their employer with regard to their infertility, [2] what demographic characteristics are associated with women who are more likely to disclose, and [3] if there is an association between disclosure and lowering one's stress. We hypothesize that, in certain women, disclosure may lower stress, and therefore increase success rate of in vitro fertilization.

Design: Cross-sectional questionnaire.

A symptomatic approach to understanding women's health experiences: a cross-cultural comparison of women aged 20 to 70 years.

Objectives: To determine patterns of symptoms across age groups, identify symptom groups associated with ovarian hormonal depletion or other variables, and develop a prediction model for each symptom.

Design: This was a cross-sectional survey of 4,517 women ages 20 to 70 years recruited from market research panels in the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, France, and Italy using a self-report questionnaire that included general health information and a checklist of 36 symptoms. Stepwise regression was used to determine for each symptom how prevalence varied with age, indicators of menopausal hormonal changes, and the effects of other explanatory variables, including body mass index, morbidity, and country.

Relationship between hypoactive sexual desire disorder and aging.

Objective: Explore the association between Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD) and aging. The American Foundation of Urologic Disease and the American Psychiatric Association stipulate that HSDD is only diagnosed when both low sexual desire and sexually related personal distress are present.

Design: Community-based, cross-sectional study.

Vulvodynia: a state-of-the-art consensus on definitions, diagnosis and management.

Vulvodynia is a chronic pain syndrome affecting up to 18% of the female population. Despite its high prevalence and associated distress, the etiology, diagnosis and clinical management of the disorder have not been clearly delineated. This "white paper" describes the findings and recommendations of a consensus conference panel based on a comprehensive review of the published literature on vulvodynia in addition to expert presentations on research findings and clinical management approaches.

A methodology study to develop and validate a screener for hypoactive sexual desire disorder in postmenopausal women.

Introduction: Current methods for diagnosing hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) can be complicated and time-consuming. A previous study reported validity and reliability of a structured diagnostic method created for clinical trials that can be performed in approximately 1 hour.

Methods: A more succinct tool is needed for incorporation into busy physician practices.

Hypoactive sexual desire disorder in postmenopausal women: US results from the Women's International Study of Health and Sexuality (WISHeS).

Objective: To determine the prevalence of hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) among US women by reproductive status and age and to explore the correlates of sexually related distress.

Design: The Women's International Study on Health and Sexuality questionnaire was mailed to a national sample of US women in 2000. The survey included validated questionnaires: the Short Form-36, which measures overall health status; the Profile of Female Sexual Function, which assesses sexual desire; and the Personal Distress Scale, which measures distress caused by low desire.

Persistent genital arousal in women -- a new syndrome entity.

The persistent sexual arousal syndrome (PSAS) is a newly described entity where women become involuntarily aroused genitally for extended periods in time in the absence of sexual desire. Genital vasoengorgement and oedema have been observed. These women are found to be usually very distressed.

Chronic vulvar and other gynecologic pain: prevalence and characteristics in a self-reported survey.

Objective: To characterize and assess the prevalence of chronic gynecologic pain and, more specifically, chronic vulvar pain.

Study Design: A questionnaire was mailed to women aged 18-80 years who were ambulatory patients at an academic multidisciplinary practice. Quality of life, health history, obstetric and gynecologic history, and pain symptoms were assessed.

Persistent sexual arousal syndrome: a descriptive study.

Introduction: Persistent sexual arousal disorder (PSAS) is a poorly documented condition characterized by persistent genital arousal in the absence of conscious feelings of sexual desire.

Aim: To determine whether there are replicable features associated with PSAS, to describe salient characteristics of women reporting this condition, and to determine predictors of distress.

Methods: A 46-item Internet survey containing demographic information, symptom description, triggers, exacerbation and relief measures, distress ratings, and life and sexual satisfaction was placed on a secure server.