Journal of Psychosexual Health

Clinical research and evidence are limited regarding sexual functioning in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and the impact of pharmacological treatment on it.

To study and compare sexual functioning in females among three groups viz. drug naïve symptomatic OCD cases (Group 1), OCD patients receiving pharmacological treatment, and in remission (Group 2), and age-matched healthy controls (Group 3).

Heterosexual sexually active females of 18 and 45 years with OCD seeking treatment at a tertiary care center in north India were assessed on the Relationship Assessment Scale (RAS), Female Sexual Functioning Index (FSFI), and Sexual Quality of Life-Female (SQOL).

The sample consisted of 150 subjects, (50 in each group). The majority of women were married, in the reproductive age group (18-45 years). The majority of women in Groups 1, 2, and 3 (84%, 74%, and 82%, respectively), were Hindus and homemakers. Most belonged to the nuclear family (58%, 52%, and 54% in Groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively) and were educated up to secondary school and monthly family income was comparable among the groups which were 10,000-20,000 in most of them (50%, 54%, and 50% in Group 1, 2, and 3, respectively). All the groups were homogeneous regarding socio-demographic variables. Sexual dysfunction (SD) was 68% in (Group 1) and (Group 2) and 28% in (Group 3) as per FSFI. There was no significant difference between Group 1 and Group 2. Subjects having symptoms in contamination and sexual domain had more dysfunction in desire, arousal, and satisfaction. Sexual functioning and SQOL were negatively correlated with the age and duration of illness

SD is significantly higher in both drug naïve symptomatic OCD and pharmacologically treated patients in remission in comparison to healthy controls. There is no major difference in sexual functioning of drug naïve and adequately treated patients receiving pharmacotherapy and currently in remission.

There is a significant gap in evidence regarding the health-seeking behaviour of short-distance drivers (SDDs) traveling less than 800 km in a single direction within India, resulting in an absence of healthcare programmes or interventions specifically designed for this group. This exploratory qualitative assessment was conducted to understand the experiences and perceptions of SDDs regarding health services available for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

In-depth interviews were conducted in 2022 with 86 primary and 118 secondary participants from nine states in India. The interviews were conducted in five different languages. Two separate interview guides were developed: one for primary participants (including drivers) and another for secondary participants (such as government officials, programme officials and nongovernment organisation [NGO] representatives). Purposive sampling was employed to select secondary participants, while primary participants were identified through snowball sampling. Data analysis was carried out using thematic analysis, identifying key themes and patterns from the transcripts. ATLAS.ti (version 8) software was used for data analysis.

The SDDs did not have knowledge of any HIV prevention or care services accounting for their working environment and hours. The results showed that financial problems, poor management of healthcare services, lack of knowledge regarding the available services and quality of care at public healthcare facilities were major barriers to accessing care for HIV/AIDS. The perceived risk of infection did not translate into seeking testing for HIV. Stigma emerged as an important factor that deterred testing as well as treatment for HIV/AIDS. The secondary participants mentioned that the targeted interventions had limited engagement with short-distance drivers due to a lack of specific focus on this group.

This study highlights the need for tailored HIV prevention and care programmes for SDDs, who face unique barriers such as financial constraints, stigma and limited healthcare access. It emphasises the importance of integrating this group into national strategies to improve awareness, reduce stigma and promote regular testing.

A sedentary lifestyle among young and middle-aged individuals contributes to spinal pathologies, significantly affecting quality of life (QOL). Sexuality is a key determinant of well-being, and spinal conditions—characterized by motor and sensory deficits, pain, stress, and anxiety—can impair sexual function. However, studies using validated scales to assess sexual functioning in these patients are scarce.

Evaluate sexual functioning, marital satisfaction, and QOL in patients undergoing spine surgery.

This prospective, questionnaire-based study was conducted from December 2022 to June 2023. Fifty-three sexually active patients (aged 20–50 years) undergoing elective spine surgery were included. Validated scales such as the ENRICH Marital Satisfaction Score (MSS) for marital well-being, the changes in sexual functioning questionnaire for males (CSFQ-M) and females (CSFQ-F) for sexual dysfunction, the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) for disability assessment, and the WHO-QOL BREF for overall QOL were used. Assessments were done preoperatively and at one, three, and six months postoperatively. Statistical analysis was performed using SPF version 25, with a significance level of P < .005.

Preoperatively, all quality-of-life domains were affected, especially the psychological domain. The ODI showed that 94% of patients were crippled before surgery, but by six months, all had minimal disability. All participants had sexual dysfunction and marital distress preoperatively; most regained normal sexual function by three months and marital satisfaction by six months.

Spinal pathologies significantly impact psychosexual functioning, marital satisfaction, and QOL. This study highlights the importance of a holistic approach to postoperative recovery.

Premature ejaculation (PE) is a common sexual disorder in male that negatively impacts their quality of life (QoL). The study aimed to evaluate the association of QoL with its four domains among patients with PE.

It was a cross-sectional study conducted from November 2021 to October 2022 among patients above 18 years of age who fulfilled the diagnostic criteria of PE, attending the outpatient department of Psychiatry of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU). Patients who complained of PE were questioned with the Premature Ejaculation Diagnostic Tool (PEDT), and those who scored >11 in PEDT were interviewed with a Socio-Demographic Questionnaire, Bengali Version of Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale brief version (WHOQOL-BREF).

Among 140 participants who came for treatment of PE 122 (87.1%) had possible PE (PEDT score > 11) Among the four domains, the social relationship domain (11.23 ± 2.2) had the lowest mean score followed by psychological (12.25 ± 2.7), environmental (13.05 ± 2.22) and physical health (13.99 ± 2.6) domain. A total of 38 (31.1%) had mild, 32 (26.2%) had moderate, 11 (9%) had moderate severe and 7 (5.7%) had severe depression among the patients with PE. The study suggests that the QoL among the patients with PE is low. Illiteracy, living in a suburban area, smoking and inactive lifestyles, having previous physical illness and depression are the factors that are significantly associated with poor quality of life among the patients.