Analysis of sexual functioning in women with neurotic disorders based on the Mell-Krat scale
Marlena Zajączkowska, Joanna Zwierzchowska, Maciej Kuśmierek, Kinga Bobińska, Monika Talarowska
Med Sci Tech 2013; 54:130-135
DOI: 10.12659/MST.889583
Available online: 2013-08-22
Published: 2013-08-22
Background:
There is little clinical proof of an association between anxiety-related disorders and sexual dysfunctions in women. The aim of this study was to analyze sexual functioning in female patients with neurotic disorders.
Material and Methods:
Using the Mell-Krat scale, we analyzed responses from a group of 30 women diagnosed with neurotic, stress-related, and somatoform disorders (F40–F45) admitted to the Department of Adult Psychiatry, Medical University of Lodz, compared to healthy controls (n=30).
Results:
Women with neurotic, stress-related, and somatoform disorders had significantly lower scores, compared to controls in many areas of sexual functioning, especially level of libido, needed and actual frequency of sexual intercourse, level of arousal during intercourse, percentage of intercourses with orgasm, frequency of involuntary muscular contractions during orgasm, ability to achieve orgasm mutually with partner, mood after sex and self-assessment. Frequency and duration of sexual dysfunctions were higher in the women with neurotic disorders, who indicated they have orgasmic dysfunctions and lack of sexual desire.
Conclusions:
Our study reveals impaired sexual functioning in women with neurotic, stress-related, and somatoform disorders. The higher prevalence of sexual dysfunctions in this group of patients should be taken into consideration in therapy.
Keywords: Mell-Krat Scale, sexual dysfunction, anxiety disorder, stress-related and somatoform disorders, Neurotic Disorders