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Sexuality and substance use: The impact of tobacco, alcohol, and selected recreational drugs on sexual function
... Substance abuse is a global challenge with detrimental effects on the health, wealth and security of nations (1). Substance abuse has been reported to impact negatively on reproductive health in both male and females in a variety of ways, thus contributing to the development of infertility in both sexes (2). Infertility, the inability to conceive (by women) or impregnate (by men) after 12 months of regular unprotected sexual intercourse, is found in about 15% of couples (3). ...
... Male factor infertility, a consequence of male reproductive disorders, has been reported to be the sole cause of infertility in approximately 20% of infertile couples (4). Increased infertility rates have been associated with lifestyles that increase exposure to endocrine disruptors, environmental toxins and substance abuse (2,5). ...
... Res. J. of Health Sci. Vol 8(2), April/June 2020 ...
Objective: Substance abuse is a global challenge. This study investigated the effects of two commonly abused substances, tramadol and/or Cannabis sativa ethanol extracts (ECS), on testicular function in Wistar male rats.
Methods: Twenty-animals were equally divided into 4groups that received 0.9%NaCl (0.2ml), tramadol (40mg/kg), ECS (2mg/kg) and tramadol + ECS for 30days, respectively (daily p.o). Following anesthesia, blood samples were obtained and serum testosterone was determined. Testes and epididymis were harvested and weighed. Sperm motility, viability and counts were evaluated in the epididymis while superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels and histology (Haematoxylin & Eosin) were evaluated in the testis.
Results: Sperm motility, viability, counts, testosterone level and testicular CAT was reduced in all experimental groups compared to control. Relative epididymal weights increased in tramadol only and ECS only compared to control. Testicular SOD was decreased only in the tramadol only and co-treatment (tramadol + ECS), respectively. LDH was increased in the tramadol only treatment group. Testicular histology in tramadol and co-treatment groups showed structural aberrations that are consistent with impaired spermatogenesis, antioxidant depletion and oxidative stress.
Conclusion: Abuse of tramadol and/or Cannabis sativa ethanol extracts may predispose to testicular dysfunction resulting from decline in testicular antioxidants, testicular steroidogenesis and spermatogenesis.
... Prolonged, regular use of alcohol has been associated with impairments in arousal and orgasm for women as well as desire, arousal, and orgasm for men. Cocaine can impair desire, arousal, and orgasm in both men and women; and amphetamines have been associated with erectile dysfunction in men and delayed orgasm in both men and women [104]. Little evidence exists to draw clear conclusions about the impact of prolonged marijuana use on sexual function, but some studies suggest a negative effect on female orgasm [104]. ...
... Cocaine can impair desire, arousal, and orgasm in both men and women; and amphetamines have been associated with erectile dysfunction in men and delayed orgasm in both men and women [104]. Little evidence exists to draw clear conclusions about the impact of prolonged marijuana use on sexual function, but some studies suggest a negative effect on female orgasm [104]. Benzodiazepines have been associated with anorgasmia in one study [105•]. ...
... Finally, smoking has been strongly associated with an increased risk for erectile dysfunction in men and, while not directly studied in women, may also impair female arousal due to decreased peripheral blood flow. Effects may be reversible with smoking cessation [104]. Unfortunately, little evidence exists to make more specific statements about the pattern, amount, or duration of use required for these adverse effects to manifest. ...
Purpose of review
This review provides an overview of the latest treatment options for sexual dysfunction in the elderly, specifically the DSM-5 male and female sexual disorders, medication-induced sexual dysfunction, and inappropriate sexual behaviors in dementia. Despite the increasing prevalence of sexual dysfunction with age, various factors including ageism, misconceptions about sexual behavior in the elderly, and discomfort discussing these issues can lead to under-recognition and under-treatment. This review highlights the importance of sexual health at any age and the available pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatments for these conditions.
Recent findings
Research is robust for some disorders, like erectile dysfunction, but overall lacking for most disorders of sexual function in the elderly. Few FDA-approved treatments exist, but multiple treatments have been studied with varying results. A thorough evaluation of biological, psychological, and social factors should be completed prior to treatment. Psychiatrists should keep in mind that these conditions may be influenced by psychological factors, secondary to psychiatric illness, worsened or improved with psychotropic medications, and may be responsive to psychotherapy. Inappropriate sexual behaviors in dementia that are unresponsive to behavioral interventions may also respond to a number of psychotropic medications.
Summary
Sexual dysfunction in the elderly remains understudied. However, several pharmacological and non-pharmacological options are available that may be of benefit.
... Major contributing factor is that people with STIs who have minor or no symptoms do not seek treatment at public health facilities. They usually tend to take self-prescribed drugs or go to private pharmacies to buy treatment without consulting trained health workers [4,5]. ...
... According to the Ministry of Health of Ethiopia report in 2008, approximately 1,345,970 people were living with HIV. In 2008, the national adult HIV prevalence was estimated to be 2.1% [5]. ...
... Sexually active teens who exhibit few positive or prosaically behaviors, such as involvement in organized actions at school or in the community, are at higher risk for outcomes such as early sexual activity and pregnancy during their teenage years [12]. According to Ethiopian Health and Demographic survey risky sexual behaviors is having multiple sexual partners, inconsistent condom use and commencing sex with commercial sex worker [4,5].Risky sexual behaviors can result in sexually transmitted diseases and unintended pregnancies. Colleges are institutions of higher learning providing education to undergraduates and award diplomas and degrees in specific academic fields. ...
Background: Substance use and problems arising from it are increasing all over the world, and currently together with HIV/AIDS epidemic, become one of the most threatening and challenging social and public health problems. College students are more vulnerable to wider sexual and reproductive health and HIV/AIDS problems due to new environment with poor protection, age and the need to explore life, peer pressure and absence of proactive programs. Objective: The main objective of this study was to assess the magnitude of risky sexual behavior and its association with substance use among Bonga town public college students. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 396 Bonga town public college students from March 2014 to April 2014 using stratified sampling technique and a self-administered questionnaire was used. Descriptive statistics was used to describe the study population, prevalence, and to check the missing values, outliers, and inconsistencies. Logistic regressions to determine independent predictors of risky sexual behaviors and the p- value of 0.05 was used as cut off point for the presence of statistical significance. Results: Among 396 participants 72.7% reported having used at least one substance in their life time. Commonly used substances were: alcohol (51.3%) followed by khat (15.4%), cigarette (3.6%) and other illicit substances (2.5%). From total respondents 38.1% admitted having sexual experience. Among sexually experienced males 4.6% have had sexual intercourse with commercial sex workers and 4.6% had sexual intercourse with more than one person. Condom use rate was 64.9% but, its consistency was 58.3%. Sex, educational status, income and ever use of khat were statistically associated with risky sexual behavior with AOR (95%CI) of 4.5 (1.7, 12), 4.7 (1.6, 12.9), 3.7 (1.4, 10), 2.5 (1.1, 6.5) respectively. Conclusion: The prevalence of substance use among Bonga college students was high. The study also showed that many of the students who were sexually active engaged in unsafe and risky sexual practices. Awareness rising about safer sex and consequences of substance use for college students is necessary measure that should be taken.
... Another possibility is that cannabis results in disinhibition, which in turn, allows for increased relaxation and sensory focus (Dawley et al., 1979;Kolodny et al., 1979;McKay, 2005). For example, Kolansky and Moore (1972) reported that cannabis use resulted in a period of sexual disinhibition in some women. ...
... Further complicating any conclusions about the role of the endocannabinoid system in sexual function is that past studies have been correlational in nature and, as previously reviewed, numerous plausible possibilities exist for cannabis consumption to enhance subjective perceptions of sexual functioning without exerting any direct effects on sexual response. These include the possibilities that cannabis may increase sensation or perception (Abel, 1981;Dawley et al., 1979;Halikas et al., 1982), decrease anxiety/facilitate relaxation (Adams & Martin, 1996;Hathaway, 2003;Kolodny et al., 1979), slow the perception of time and increase attentional focus on the sexual situation (Gawin, 1978;Jarvik & Brecher, 1977;Lewis, 1970;Melges et al., 1971), reduce inhibitions (Dawley et al., 1979;Kolansky & Moore, 1972;Kolodny et al., 1979;McKay, 2005), or lead to perceptions of enhanced sexual functioning through expectancy effects (Crenshaw & Goldberg, 1996;Rosen, 1991). ...
... As discussed earlier, there are multiple reasons that individuals may perceive cannabis as sexually enhancing. These include that cannabis may increase sensation or perception (Abel, 1981;Dawley et al., 1979;Halikas et al., 1982), decrease anxiety/facilitate relaxation (Adams & Martin, 1996;Hathaway, 2003;Kolodny et al., 1979), slow the perception of time and increase attentional focus on the sexual situation (Gawin, 1978;Jarvik & Brecher, 1977;Lewis, 1970;Melges et al., 1971), reduce inhibitions (Dawley et al., 1979;Kolansky & Moore, 1972;Kolodny et al., 1979;McKay, 2005), or lead to perceptions of enhanced sexual functioning through expectancy effects (Crenshaw & Goldberg, 1996;Rosen, 1991). ...
... This subject (the influence of drugs on sexual functioning) has been considered of great interest by researchers but is difficult to approach because it is difficult to accurately assess sexual functioning in this population, the process is influenced by many variables and the problem has multiple causes. This may be the reason why there seem to be more theoretical reviews [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12] than original recent articles on this topic. Moreover, many reviews include studies that used simple questions to assess sexual functioning, did not use a control group, or had a small sample size [2]. ...
... In general, according to the studies consulted, use of alcohol [6], benzodiazepines [12], cannabis [8,9], cocaine [2,4,11], opioids [21], methamphetamines [22,23], or hallucinogens [8] may improve various areas of sexual functioning-in low doses and/or in the short term attending to individual differences [2,[6][7][8][9]22,23]. Yet, these effects seem to be short lived, because dose increases and/or length of use have shown detrimental effects on sexual functioning [2,11,12,[24][25][26][27][28][29]. ...
... In general, according to the studies consulted, use of alcohol [6], benzodiazepines [12], cannabis [8,9], cocaine [2,4,11], opioids [21], methamphetamines [22,23], or hallucinogens [8] may improve various areas of sexual functioning-in low doses and/or in the short term attending to individual differences [2,[6][7][8][9]22,23]. Yet, these effects seem to be short lived, because dose increases and/or length of use have shown detrimental effects on sexual functioning [2,11,12,[24][25][26][27][28][29]. ...
Introduction:
To date, it has been difficult to address the issue of sexual functioning and drug use, and many approaches to it have basic problems and methodological errors.
Aim:
The present cross-sectional study compared the sexual functioning scores of a group of drug users with those of a group of nondrug users. It explored the relationship between drug abstinence and sexual functioning.
Main outcome measures:
A sample of 905 males participated in this study (549 met the substance dependence criteria and 356 were controls). All of them were assessed with the Changes in Sexual Functioning Questionnaire-Drugs version.
Method:
The assessment was conducted from September 2009 to January 2011. The clinical sample was evaluated in nine different substance abuse treatment facilities.
Results:
Results show that, overall, all dimensions (pleasure, desire, arousal, and orgasm) were moderately impaired. Yet, differences regarding preferred substance were observed. Pleasure and orgasm were the two areas most significantly impaired. In these areas, all drugs seemed to negatively affect sexual functioning. However, desire and arousal were not affected by all the substances. In addition, at least after 2 weeks of drug abstinence, no relationship was found between drug abstinence and improvement in sexual functioning. The sample studied had an average of 1 year of drug abstinence and was found to have poorer sexual functioning than the control group.
Conclusions:
Therefore, these results seem to contradict those that argue that drug use only impairs sexual functioning temporarily. Moreover, they suggest that sexual functioning does not improve just by stopping drug use.
... drink alcohol before sex). Although alcohol is a central nervous system depressant that slows down several body systems and suppresses the sexual physiology, thereby inhibiting sexual functioning (Peugh & Belenko, 2001;Stoeckhart, Swaab, Gijs, de Ronde, & Slob, 2009), it had been found that the anticipated effect of alcohol can enhance sexual desire (George & Stoner, 2000;McKay, 2005;Peugh & Belenko, 2001). Thus, there is a relationship between alcohol use and sexuality, but this relation appears to be complex. ...
... pleasure and arousal and delays or hampers orgasm (Gianotten, 2009;McKay, 2005;Miller & Gold, 1988;Nicholson & Balster, 2001;Peugh & Belenko, 2001;Washton & Zweben, 2006). Secondly, an indirect rela- tion may exist because underlying factors may contribute to substance use as well as sexual behavior, such as less self-control, sensation seeking, and other biological, neurocognitive, psychological or social factors (see, Bornovalova, Lejuez, Daughters, Rosenthal, & Lynch, 2005, Caspi et al., 1997, Henderson, Galen, & DeLuca, 1998, Krueger et al., 2002). ...
... Also, alcoholism may atrophies testicle by blocking testosterone and spermatogenesis. Survey on alcoholic males showed that amount, frequency and duration of alcohol use are related to erectile dysfunction and libido (24). In our study, the prevalence of erectile dysfunction due to alcoholism was 27.41, while O'Farrell reported the minimum prevalence of alcoholism in these people to be 25%. ...
... In a very vast study done about canaboids (marijuana, hashish) it was reported that 70% of males who used these substances showed increase in sexual satisfaction (32). The impacts of long duration of these drugs are still ambiguous (24). In our study, according to the IEFF questionnaire, moderate and sever data were considered as erectile dysfunction. ...
Erectile dysfunction affects quality of life and is a common dysfunction in drug abusers. The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of erectile dysfunction in drug abusers on methadone maintenance therapy to reduce this drug side effect in the future studies.
This cross-sectional study was conducted with two hundred addicted individuals on methadone maintenance therapy. Erectile dysfunction was surveyed using the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF). Finally, all data were collected and analyzed by descriptive statistics such as measures of variability and central tendency and Chi-squared (χ(2)) test using SPSS Version18.0 software.
The amount of the total frequency of erectile dysfunction was pointed 30 or less among the two hundred patients and included the moderate and severe cases. In this study, the number of patients with erectile dysfunction was fifty three (26.5%).
The frequency of erectile dysfunction in our study was approximately 1.5 times of prevalence of the public (16.1%). In this study, all the factors related to sexual function such as erectile function, libido, orgasm, and sexual pleasure showed a decline among drug abusers.
... In contrast to findings from Western studies [67][68][69], drinking was not seen as a way to decrease sexual inhibitions or enhance a sexual experience. Both the AEQ and DEQ have domains related to sexual enhancement, but this domain was not deemed to be an expectancy by our respondents. ...
Background:
Alcohol expectancies, i.e., the perceived consequences of drinking, have been reported to be important factor in predicting drinking behaviors. However, studies in the Asia region were largely limited to school-based samples. This study aimed to be the first to explore drinking expectancies among urban Chinese young adults.
Methods:
In 2020, eight focus group discussions were conducted with Hong Kong Chinese young adults aged 18-34 (n = 53). The participants included heavy drinkers, light drinkers, and non-drinkers from a wide range of occupations and educational backgrounds. Thematic analysis was conducted to uncover common alcohol expectancies.
Results:
Six themes emerged from this study. Four themes that were commonly reported in the literature were the negative consequences of drinking, social bonding, confidence enhancement, and tension reduction. The study also uncovered two culturally relevant alcohol expectancies: health benefits and business drinking expectancies. In contrast to Western samples, Chinese young adults did not report drinking expectancies related to cognitive enhancement or increased sexual interest.
Conclusion:
Alcohol harm reduction strategies will need to address the positive drinking expectancies uncovered in this study. Future policy discussions in this emerging alcohol market region should consider greater scrutiny of the role of alcohol marketing in the propagation of positive drinking expectancies.
... We note that exploitation of intoxication could still be a part of orgasm coercion even though it did not come up in this study. Some research has shown that, while large amounts of alcohol and other substances tend to inhibit orgasm response, low to moderate levels can sometimes facilitate arousal and orgasm pleasure (Malatesta et al., 1982;McKay, 2005). As such, it is possible that some people may pressure partners to orgasm by plying them with alcohol or other substances. ...
Trying to ensure that a partner orgasms during sex is generally seen as positive, but research has yet to assess how this might involve pressuring partners to orgasm in coercive ways. In the present study, we tested whether pressuring a partner to orgasm is a coercive behavior by assessing how this behavior overlaps with sexual coercion (i.e., pressuring someone into having sex). Participants of diverse gender/sex and sexual identities (N = 912, M age = 31.31 years, SD = 9.41) completed an online survey that asked them whether they had ever felt pressured by a partner to orgasm, to describe what partners have said or done to pressure them, and to answer a series of questions about the most recent incident in which this occurred. Mixed quantitative and qualitative results showed that orgasm pressure tactics were analogous to sexual coercion tactics and that being pressured to orgasm was associated with experiencing sexual coercion, faking orgasms, and negative psychological and relationship outcomes. Together, findings challenge the assumption that trying to ensure a partner’s orgasm occurrence is necessarily positive and demonstrate that orgasm coercion exists.
... For example, evidence suggests that people use alcohol, marijuana, and other drugs during sexual activity because they heighten sensation or remove anxiety or inhibitions. 42,43 However, the use of drugs to enhance or decrease sensation could lead to negative health outcomes (e.g., addiction). In addition, drug use is associated with lower odds of condom use 44,45 and higher risk of adverse outcomes such as sexual assault. ...
Background:
Research about the experience of sexuality and intimacy for autistic people has largely excluded the potential influences of autistic sensory features, which are highly common. The aim of this study was to explore how autistic sensory features influence autistic people's experiences of sexuality and relationships, including the impact of low and high neurological threshold sensory patterns and regarding specific sensory modalities.
Methods:
Utilizing a qualitative approach, we explored autistic people's perspectives about the influences of sensory features on their experiences of sexuality and relationships through existing publicly available narratives (5 books and 13 online forums containing messages from 72 unique usernames) and responses to an open-ended survey question (N = 49). We used deductive coding based on Dunn's model of sensory processing, as well as inductive coding to identify additional themes about autistic sensory features and sexuality.
Results:
Our findings indicated that sexual and relationship experiences were related to both sensory sensitivity and sensation seeking (i.e., low and high threshold sensory patterns) across several sensory modalities, including touch, sight, sound, and smell. Sensory features influenced autistic people's sexual and relationship experiences in both positive and negative ways. Examined narratives revealed adaptations and strategies used by autistic people to enhance or enable engagement in sexual activity as well as implications for their sexual identity.
Conclusions:
Sensory features and their impact on the sexuality and relationship experiences of autistic people should be considered in clinical practice and educational programming. More research is needed to further understand the impact of autistic sensory features on experiences of sexuality and relationships, and to develop effective strategies to promote safe and satisfying engagement, when desired.
Lay summary:
Why was this study done?: Autistic people often respond to sensations differently than other people, including being more sensitive to sensations and/or wanting more intense sensations (called "autistic sensory features" in this study). Many aspects of sexuality and relationships involve sensory input. However, we do not know much about how autistic sensory features influence sexuality and relationships for autistic people.What was the purpose of this study?: The purpose of this study was to explore how autistic sensory features influence autistic people's experiences of sexuality and relationships.What did the researchers do?: For this study, we used two different sources of data. The first was existing publicly available things written by autistic people, including books and posts on online forums. The second was answers provided on a survey question asking about autistic sensory features and sexuality. Overall, we looked at things written by over 120 autistic people. We reviewed all the information to explore what kinds of sensory responses (e.g., sensitivities and sensation seeking) and sensory modalities (e.g., touches, sights, sounds, and smells) they wrote about. We also looked more generally to see how autistic people described the ways that autistic sensory features influenced their sexuality and relationship experiences.What were the results of the study?: Our findings show that in the information we accessed, autistic people did write about how sensory features influence their sexual and relationship experiences. Some people who have sensory sensitivities described confusion, distress, and frustration with sexual experiences. Despite wanting to participate, people with sensitivities described negative reactions to many of the sights, sounds, smells, and textures that were involved in dating and sexual activities. Other people indicated that they avoided sexual activity because of their sensory features. However, we also found that some autistic people seek out more intense sensations in their sexual activities, and others that enjoy intimacy that promotes calming and self-regulation. People wrote about strategies they use in response to their autistic sensory features, such as communication with partners and the use of substances to dull sensations.What do these findings add to what was already known?: There has not been much published research on this topic, so this study is a starting place. In books, as well as in online discussion boards, autistic people have been discussing the importance of sensory features to their sexuality and relationships. We accessed that information, and used theory and clinical experience to analyze their writings and help identify what other research is needed.What are potential weaknesses in the study?: We used text already written by autistic people and responses on one survey question for this study. Therefore, we may not have gained a complete understanding of the ways that autistic sensory features influence sexuality and relationship experiences.How will these findings help autistic adults now or in the future?: This study contributes to greater understanding of how autistic traits affect sexuality and relationships for autistic people. That information can be used to develop effective education and resources for autistic people, families, and service providers.
... After the course of the therapy, the patient reported the cessation of substance use, fewer depressive symptoms, and confidence to use condoms in all sexual situations. activity [42,43]. The use of methamphetamine commonly comes at the high cost of addiction and health issues, such as stroke, cardiac valve sclerosis, decreased lung function, and poorer cognitive functioning [44], which in turn have adverse effects on sexual function. ...
While some users show increased sexual functioning due to substance use, the chronic use of legal and illicit drugs increases the rates of sexual dysfunctions. Especially in connection with substance use, it remains difficult to disentangle cultural, social, psychological, and biological etiological factors in sexual dysfunctions. This chapter, however, reviews the existing empirical data on substance-related disorders and sexual dysfunctions and intervention programs. Moreover, it will discuss if there are any substances with potentially enhancing effects on sexual functioning. The first part of the chapter consists of a general introduction and classification of substance-related disorders and sexual dysfunctions in DSM-5 and ICD-11. The second part presents empirical findings on various substances and sexual functioning in greater details. The last part presents possibilities of prevention and intervention of sexual dysfunctions in association with substance and two case reports. Furthermore, the reader will find take-home messages at the end of this chapter.
... Indeed, erection/moistness was more positively affected for women than for men with alcohol, MDMA, mephedrone, and methamphetamine, perhaps due in part to the general impact of intoxication on erection in men. 40 The different biology and psychology underpinning arousal and sexual function in men and women would also likely contribute to these differences. 41e43 Overall, bisexual respondents rated MDMA and cannabis more highly than did heterosexual respondents on confidence in trying new things, sensual aspects, intensity of orgasm, multiple orgasms, and sexual desire. ...
Introduction:
Substance use in sexual contexts has received recent attention, but it has mostly been restricted to men who have sex with men and the so-called "chemsex" phenomenon.
Aim:
To explore the use of licit and illicit substances in combination with sex in heterosexual, homosexual, and bisexual men and women; to explore substance-linked sex (SLS) differences across sexual orientation and sexes.
Methods:
An international online self-selecting cross-sectional drugs survey, the Global Drug Survey 2013 (n = 22,289), was conducted. Respondents were asked about which drugs (including alcohol) they had had sex while on; how frequently they used drugs to enhance sex; and how different drugs changed different aspects of the sexual experience. We report descriptive statistics and test differences between men and women and between different sexual orientations.
Main outcome measures:
The following outcome measures were recorded: (i) Percentage of each group reporting last-year use of each drug with sex, (ii) Mean subjective rating (-10 to +10) from each group for each drug on each aspect of the sexual experience.
Results:
SLS occurred across sexual orientations and in both men and women. All groups reported that alcohol, cannabis, and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) were the most while commonly used drugs with sex. Larger proportions of homosexual and bisexual men had sex while on most drugs than heterosexual men (P < .001); and larger proportions of bisexual women had sex while on most drugs than heterosexual women (P < .004). ≥20% of each group reported having used drugs with the intention of enhancing a sexual experience; larger proportions of homosexual and bisexual men reported this behavior than heterosexual men (P < .001). There were clear dissociations between the effects of different drugs on different aspects of the sexual experience; although γ-hydroxybutyric acid/γ-butyrolactone and MDMA were rated consistently highly.
Clinical implications:
Men and women of different sexual orientations must be considered when forming harm reduction and treatment strategies. However, "chemsex" drugs were most commonly used by homosexual men; targeted messages to this group should continue.
Strength & limitations:
Our study is highly novel; no previous study has investigated the combination of sex with this range of drugs. However, our survey is self-selecting, and some groups have a small sample size.
Conclusions:
All groups reported SLS to some degree. However, differences in SLS between men and women and sexual orientations were found. Alcohol, cannabis, and MDMA were most commonly used with sex. "Chemsex" drugs were more commonly used by homosexual and bisexual men than heterosexual men. Lawn W, Aldridge A, Xia R, et al. Substance-Linked Sex in Heterosexual, Homosexual, and Bisexual Men and Women: An Online, Cross-Sectional "Global Drug Survey" Report. J Sex Med 2019;16:721-732.
... [8][9][10] Of the so-called "club drugs" or "party drugs," METH is the most strongly associated with sexuality and sexual behavior. [11] Diverse effects of amphetamine on sexual function were reported, including positive effects (spontaneous erection and enhanced sexual desire) and negative effects (reduced libido and arousal, impaired erection, and difficulty in achieving orgasm). [8,10] The effect of METH on erectile function has rarely been investigated, and its pathophysiology remains unknown despite its popularity. ...
Background: There is a paucity of animal study investigating the effect of methamphetamine (METH) on penile erection in spite of its worldwide population.
Aim: We investigated the changes of intracavernous pressure (ICP) elicited by cavernous nerve stimulation after a single and repeated dosing of METH in male rats.
Methods: Rats were randomly assigned to five treated groups and one control group with each group having 3 rats. Rats in treated group 1, 2, and 3 received a single dose intravenous injection with 0.1, 1.0, and 10.0 μg/kg METH, respectively. Rats in treated group 4 and 5 received an intraperitoneal injection with 1.0 and 5.0 mg/kg METH four times daily for two weeks, respectively. ICP was measured during penile erection elicited by cavernous nerve stimulation. Expression of neural nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) was measured in the cavernous nerve and muscle after single and repeated dosing.
Main Outcome Measures: The primary outcome measure was the ΔICP/mean arterial pressure (MAP) and the secondary was the expression of nNOS in the tissue.
Results: The ΔICP/MAP increased slightly in group 1 rats and decreased substantially in group 2 and 3 rats compared with the baseline. A single dose of METH within the range of 0.1 to 10.0 μg/kg exhibited an inhibitory effect of ICP (%). The ΔICP/MAP significantly decreased in group 4 and 5 rats after repeated dosing of METH, compared with that in group 3. The expression of nNOS significantly increased in the cavernous muscle after single and repeated dosing of METH compared with the control.
Conclusions: The preliminary results suggested that a single dose of METH exhibits an inhibitory effect on ICP and repeated dosing of METH exerted a greater inhibition than a single dosing. However, these results need further study.
... In some cases, the use of cocaine and amphetamines has become associated with sexual desire, and many drug users are unable to separate sex and drug use. Several studies have shown that using low doses of drugs for a short period of time may improve some aspects of sexual functioning [3][4][5][6][7][8]. These benefits sometimes cause a person to start using drugs [9]. ...
The present study aimed to validate the Changes in the Sexual Functioning Questionnaire Short-Form (CSFQ-14) and compare male addict’s sexual functioning to that of normal people. In this study, a causalcomparative design was used. A total of 101 men addicted to one or more substances, from addiction treatment centers in Semnan, and a total of 101 normal men from the staff of Semnan’s Universities were selected using a convenience sampling method. The instrument used in this study was the CSFQ which is a 14-item questionnaire. All the study data were analyzed using SPSS software. An exploratory factor analysis revealed 3 factors: 1) sexual pleasure factor (single-item), 2) mental factor (sexual desire) with a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.90, and 3) physical factor (orgasm and arousal) with a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.92. In addition, the results of a MANOVA analysis comparing the sexual functioning of sex addicts to that of non-addicts indicated significant differences between the two groups in all the three factors. Therefore, the validated instrument can be useful in assessing the changes in sexual functioning. The study results also rejected the claim that drugs can solve sexual problems or lead to a feeling of greater sexual pleasure.
... Another possibility is that cannabis use results in disinhibition that, in turn, leads to more relaxation and sensory focus (dawley et al., 1979;Kolodny et al., 1979;McKay, 2005). Additionally, it is plausible that given cannabis' reputation as an aphrodisiac, its positive effects on sex are due to expectancy effects (ie, placebo effect). ...
This chapter explores the association between cannabis and sexual behavior. It also investigates the relationship between cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin, and sexual behavior. Cannabis is a drug widely believed to enhance sexual desire. Many researchers have shown that cannabis use in low doses is associated with positive effects in men and women. These positive effects include prolonged duration of intercourse, improvement in the quality of the orgasm, and increased sexual satisfaction. With respect to high doses, cannabis is associated with erectile dysfunction, sterility, and reduction in testosterone levels. In addition, cannabis use is linked with less condom use, and results in higher risk of getting sexually transmitted diseases. The mechanisms underlying the positive effects of cannabis on sexual behavior have been researched, and these include disinhibited behavior, slowing of the temporal perception, anxiolytic effects, combination of cannabis and alcohol or other substances, and expectancy effects.
... Many addicted men use opiates to control their ejaculation, relieve anxiety and feelings of incompetence during sexual intercourse, and enforce erection [3]. Findings indicated that druguse in small doses or fora short-term may increase sexual function [4][5][6][7][8]. The apparently beneficial effects persuade users to continue drug abusing [9]. ...
Objective: This study aimed to validate the scale of sexual function changes in male addicts. Methods: For this purpose, 101 male addicts who have used one or more types of drugswere selected from drug treatment centers in Semnan.A 14-item questionnaire (Vallejo et al., 2010) was used as a research instrument. Results: The data was analyzed by using exploratory factor analysis on SPSS. Three variables including sexual pleasure (mental factor), sexual desirewere estimated by Cronbach's alpha 0. 90. Sexual arousal and orgasm (physical factor) was estimated by Cronbach's alpha 0.92. The correlation of changes of sexual function questionnaire with Hullbert index of sexual desire (HISD) and sexual desires questionnaire (DSI-2) was respectively significant at the levels of 0.79 and 0.77. This confirms the concurrent validity of our research instrument. Also the retest reliability for mentioned variables was respectively estimated as 0.95, 0.75, and 0.76. In comparison to non-addicted men, the questionnaire clearly showed the sexual dysfunction of addicted men which indicates its validity. Conclusions: So Changes in sexual function questionnaire is a validated tool which is appropriate for measuring changes in sexual function.
... At higher doses, cognitive, perceptual and motor functions become impaired. 16,17 Ethanol increases the inhibitory activity mediated by gamma-aminobutyric acid-A (GABA-A) receptors and decreases the excitatory activity mediated by glutamate receptors. 18 GABA-A receptor activation mediates many of the behavioral effects of ethanol including motor incoordination, anxiolysis and sedation. ...
Substance use
disorders form a major part of global disease burden. With increasing
trend of use of psychoactive substance, the deleterious effects associated with it also increases.
These effects may be biological, social or legal. Among the biological consequences of
substance use,
little is known of its effect on sexual functioning. In common parlance it is said that many substances
increase the sexual desire and hence act as an aphrodisiac. To what extent this is true remains a
question of debate. The purpose of thi
s article is to review and summarize the available literature on
the impact of psychoactive substances like alcohol, tobacco, cannabis and others on sexual
functioning. Almost all of them are associated with one or other form of sexual dysfunction. The
mec
hanism by which they exert such deleterious effect also varies. Further, the sexual dysfunction
resulting from substance use can itself have bearing on treatment aspects of substance use. The
relationship between sexual dysfunction and substance is attribu
ted not only to pharmacological
effects, but also to psychological and social factors stemming from substance use. This information
of sexual consequence of substance will be of interest and may serve as a powerful tool to healthcare
providers
... It Western societies, survey and other observational data show consistently that men perceive that alcohol decreases sexual inhibitions and facilitates sexual behaviors (e.g., [15]). In fact, survey studies show that men who drink and who have adopted the cultural lore about alcohol's effects on sex as part of their own belief system tend to use alcohol before a sexual experience and associate alcohol use with situations involving sexual activity [16]. ...
The purpose of this paper was to describe and appraise the research evidence on the effects of acute alcohol intoxication and sexual arousal on sexual risk behaviors in men who have sex with men (MSM) and to examine its implications for design of HIV prevention interventions that target MSM. Toward that end, the paper begins with a discussion of research on sexual arousal in men and alcohol and their acute effects on sexual behaviors. This is followed by a review of empirical evidence on the combined acute effects of alcohol and sexual arousal in heterosexual men (the large majority of studies) and then in MSM. The empirical evidence and related theoretical developments then are integrated to derive implications for developing effective HIV prevention interventions that target MSM.
... It has long term effects on sexual response (Johnson, Phelps, & Cottler, 2004). Thus, people who have used addictive substances have on average a higher number of sexual dysfunctions that people who have not (Blanco, Pérez, & Batista, 2011;Duany, 2013;Groves, Sarkar, Nebhinan, Mattoo, & Basu, 2014;Grover, Shah, Dutt, & Avasthi, 2012;Hernández, 2012;Lèvy & Garnier, 2006;McKay, 2005;Smith, 2007), ED being one of them (Cabello, 2010;Fora, 2013;Jiann, 2009;Labairu, Padilla, Arrondo, & Lorenzo, 2013;Segraves & Balon, 2014;Vallejo-Medina, Guillén-Riquelme, & Sierra, 2009). ...
Erectile dysfunction in men may be due to multiple causes, including anxiety and substance abuse. The main objective of this study is to know how it affects the continued use of addictive substances in the erectile response, taking into account not only the type of substances consumed, but also other variables that may influence on sexual response, such as the time of withdrawal, anxiety and sexual attitude. Two samples were used, one for males (n = 925) who had a history of substance use and another one for males (n = 82) with no history of substance abuse. Both populations were selected by a cluster sampling of 27 Spanish provinces. The GRISS, SOS and STAI questionnaires were used. The results indicate that men with a history of consumption obtained a higher percentage of dysfunction in the erectile dysfunction questionnaire GRISS scale than those who have a history of consumption (36.69% vs.15.85%) who also have higher scores on state anxiety (19.83 vs.11.89) and trait anxiety (25.66 vs.12.39) and lowest in erotophilia (86.85 vs. 97.29) was statistically significant difference. It is also proved that the time of withdrawal does not help ex drug users improve their erectile response.
... However, many studies have found an association between alterations in sexual response and drug consumption. This influence is both psychological [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10] and physiological [11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26]. The same drug may have opposite sexual effects in different consumers because of individual differences. ...
This study presents the first psychometric data on the Changes in Sexual Functioning Questionnaire Short-Form (CSFQ-14), a self-report instrument to assess sexual functioning, in a sample of 104 males with drug abuse history. They were collected in 2008. The questionnaire was completed along with the Addictive Behavior Questionnaire and the Brief Sexual Function Inventory. A three-dimensional factor structure was observed in the CSFQ-14: Desire (alpha = .73), Arousal-orgasm (alpha = .67) and Pleasure (including only one item). Scores indicated adequate validity, with similar values to samples of depressive patients and lower values than the normal population.
... The excessive and prolonged use of substances could be a factor in the low rate of new sexual partner acquisition in this group. 24 Work relating to British holidaymakers indicates that those using drugs on holiday are also likely to report high levels of drug use at home. 5 Furthermore, drunkenness can hamper a person's ability to find a new sexual partner or engage in sexual activity. 25 Fewer single participants in Ibiza reported new sexual partners on holiday compared to those in Majorca. ...
Previous studies exploring risk-taking behaviour on holiday are typically limited to single nationalities, confounding comparisons among countries. Here we examine the sexual behaviour of holidaymakers of three nationalities visiting Ibiza and Majorca.
A comparative cross-sectional study design was used focusing on British, Spanish and German holidaymakers in the age range of 16-35 years. Overall, 3003 questionnaires were gathered at airports in Majorca and Ibiza from holidaymakers returning home.
Of those surveyed, 71.1% were single (travelling without a current sexual partner) (Majorca, 74.3%; Ibiza, 68.0%). Overall, 34.1% of single holidaymakers had sex on holiday. Amongst single participants, factors associated with having sex on holiday were high levels of drunkenness, being Spanish and holidaying for over 2 weeks. Of those single and having sex on holiday, factors associated with multiple sexual partners were being male and age ≤19 years. Unprotected sex was predicted by being German and holidaying in Majorca, holidaying with members of the opposite sex and using four or more drugs on holiday. All sexual behaviours were predicted by a high number of sexual partners in the previous 12 months. Furthermore, single holidaymakers having sex abroad were more likely to prefer night-time venues facilitating casual sex and excessive alcohol consumption.
Casual sex encounters in youth holiday resorts may be commonplace and mediated through substance use. Further focused public health efforts, including in bars/nightclubs, are needed to prevent sexual risk-taking which can increase the likelihood of poor sexual health outcomes and associated factors such as regretted sex.
... El efecto de las drogas en la sexualidad humana ha sido ampliamente investigado, evidenciándose una causalidad entre su consumo y la salud sexual. Por un lado, se ha observado que, a dosis bajas y a corto plazo, el alcohol (Emanuele y Emanuele, 1998), las benzodiacepinas (Smith, 2007), el cannabis (Lévy y Garnier, 2006; McKay, 2005 ), la cocaína (Buffum, Moser y Smith, 1988; Peugh y Belenko, 2001; Rosen, 1991), los opioides (Hyatt y Bensky, 1999 ), las anfetaminas y las metanfetaminas (Degenhardt y Topp, 2003; Kurtz, 2005), y los alucinógenos (Lévy y Garnier, 2006) pueden llegar a mejorar diversas áreas del funcionamiento sexual, aunque habitualmente estos efectos son efímeros ya que se produce una rápida habituación. A dosis más elevadas y/o en periodos de tiempo más prolongados, los efectos de las drogas son devastadores, afectando tanto a los aspectos físiológicos del ciclo sexual (Argiolas, 1999; Crenshaw y Goldberg, 1996; Cocores, Miller, Pottash y Gold, 1988; Johnson, Phelps y Cottler, 2004 ), como a los aspectos psicológicos de la sexualidad (Aguilar et al., 2008; Ávila Escribano, Pérez Madruga, Ólazabal Ulacia y López Fidalgo, 2004; La Pera et al., 2003; Lévy y Garnier, 2006; Peugh y Belenko, 2001; Rosen, 1991; Smith, 2007). ...
Ante la ausencia de estudios psicométricos de autoinformes que evalúen la respuesta sexual en población drogodependiente, se propone como objetivo llevar a cabo el primer análisis psicométrico del Brief Sexual Function Inventory (BSFI) en una muestra de 104 consumidores de drogas. Los participantes contestaron al BSFI junto con el Changes in Sexual Functioning Questionnaire (CSFQ-14) y el Addictive Behavior Questionnaire (ABQ). El BSFI presenta una estructura factorial similar a la propuesta por los autores originales formada por cinco factores (Impulso sexual, = 0,75; Satisfacción, = 0,63; Erección, = 0,70; Eyaculación, = 0,74; y Problemas, = 0,70), aunque hay dos ítems que cambian de factor con respecto a la propuesta original. En cuanto a las evidencias de la validez de sus medidas, sus puntuaciones correlacionaron de forma significativa con las del CSFQ-14. Se discute la capacidad del BSFI para diferenciar entre muestras clínicas y no clínicas.
... El efecto de las drogas en la sexualidad humana ha sido ampliamente investigado, evidenciándose una causalidad entre su consumo y la salud sexual. Por un lado, se ha observado que, a dosis bajas y a corto plazo, el alcohol (Emanuele y Emanuele, 1998), las benzodiacepinas (Smith, 2007), el cannabis (Lévy y Garnier, 2006;McKay, 2005), la cocaína (Buffum, Moser y Smith, 1988;Peugh y Belenko, 2001;Rosen, 1991), los opioides (Hyatt y Bensky, 1999), las anfetaminas y las metanfetaminas (Degenhardt y Topp, 2003;Kurtz, 2005), y los alucinógenos (Lévy y Garnier, 2006) pueden llegar a mejorar diversas áreas del funcionamiento sexual, aunque habitualmente estos efectos son efímeros ya que se produce una rápida habituación. A dosis más elevadas y/o en periodos de tiempo más prolongados, los efectos de las drogas son devastadores, afectando tanto a los aspectos físiológicos del ciclo sexual (Argiolas, 1999;Crenshaw y Goldberg, 1996;Cocores, Miller, Pottash y Gold, 1988;Johnson, Phelps y Cottler, 2004), como a los aspectos psicológicos de la sexualidad (Aguilar et al., 2008;Ávila Escribano, Pérez Madruga, Ólazabal Ulacia y López Fidalgo, 2004;La Pera et al., 2003;Lévy y Garnier, 2006;Peugh y Belenko, 2001;Rosen, 1991;Smith, 2007). ...
It is well known that there is a lack of psychometric studies testing sexual function in drug-dependent population. Thus, the main objective of this work was to carry out the first psychometric analysis of the Brief Sexual Functioning Inventory (BSFI) in a sample of drug users (N = 104). Participants filled out the BSFI, Changes in Sexual Functioning Questionnaire (CSFQ-14) and Addictive Behavior Questionnaire (ABQ). The BSFI shows a five-factor structure similar to the original (Sexual drive, alpha = .75; Satisfaction, alpha = .63; Erectile function, alpha = .70; Ejaculatory function, alpha = .74; and Problem Assessment, alpha = .70), though compared to the original scale two items are loading in a different dimension. The high and significant correlations with the CSFQ-14 indicated adequate validity of the measures. Capacity of the BSFI to discriminate between clinical and non-clinical samples is discussed.
Use of substances including alcohol, tobacco and drugs is common in people of reproductive age, can lead to dependence and is a major global health concern. Despite targeted public health policies and campaigns, population surveys (National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIH) 2020; European Drug Report 2019) continue to highlight widespread use of substances, often in combination, which have substantial negative implications for health in general and the potential to harm future generations (Stephenson et al. 2018). Healthcare professionals need to be aware of the complex psychological, physiological and social factors that may be linked to substance use and be prepared to offer counselling and referral for specialist services. Pregnancy, however, can be a ‘window of opportunity’ and a motivating factor for women and their partners to change their behaviour and minimise risk with help to quit or cut down on substance use (Solomon and Quinn 2004). Preconception care offers the opportunity to further reduce risk by helping to modify consumption prior to pregnancy.
Background:
Sexual dysfunction is a common problem among men and women and is associated with negative individual functioning, relationship difficulties, and lower quality of life.
Aim:
To determine the magnitude of associations between 6 health-related lifestyle factors (cigarette smoking, alcohol intake, physical activity, diet, caffeine, and cannabis use) and 3 common sexual dysfunctions (erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, and female sexual dysfunction).
Methods:
A comprehensive literature search of 10 electronic databases identified 89 studies that met the inclusion criteria (452 effect sizes; N = 348,865). Pooled mean effects (for univariate, age-adjusted, and multivariable-adjusted estimates) were computed using inverse-variance weighted random-effects meta-analysis and moderation by study and population characteristics were tested using random-effects meta-regression.
Results:
Mean effect sizes from 92 separate meta-analyses provided evidence that health-related lifestyle factors are important for sexual dysfunction. Cigarette smoking (past and current), alcohol intake, and physical activity had dose-dependent associations with erectile dysfunction. Risk of erectile dysfunction increased with greater cigarette smoking and decreased with greater physical activity. Alcohol had a curvilinear association such that moderate intake was associated with a lower risk of erectile dysfunction. Participation in physical activity was associated with a lower risk of female sexual dysfunction. There was some evidence that a healthy diet was related to a lower risk of erectile dysfunction and female sexual dysfunction, and caffeine intake was unrelated to erectile dysfunction. Publication bias appeared minimal and findings were similar for clinical and non-clinical samples.
Clinical translation:
Modification of lifestyle factors would appear to be a useful low-risk approach to decreasing the risk of erectile dysfunction and female sexual dysfunction.
Strengths and limitations:
Strengths include the testing of age-adjusted and multivariable-adjusted models and tests of potential moderators using meta-regression. Limitations include low statistical power in models testing diet, caffeine, and cannabis use as risk factors.
Conclusion:
Results provide compelling evidence that cigarette smoking, alcohol, and physical activity are important for sexual dysfunction. Insufficient research was available to draw conclusions regarding risk factors for premature ejaculation or for cannabis use as a risk factor. These findings should be of interest to clinicians treating men and women with complaints relating to symptoms of sexual dysfunction. Allen MS, Walter EE. Health-Related Lifestyle Factors and Sexual Dysfunction: A Meta-Analysis of Population-Based Research. J Sex Med 2018;XX:XXX-XXX.
Sex is a key function of human beings. Its physical, emotional, psychological, and social aspects permeate into many parts of our lives. Therefore, it is a major contributor to “Quality of life” (QoL). This chapter covers defining and measuring sexual QoL, and then details sex and QoL in nonclinical populations covering a variety of demographic groups. A detailed review follows for QoL in clinical populations of medical/surgical, psychiatric disorders, and sexual disorders before and after treatment. The chapter concludes with a discussion of ways to enhance QoL by detailing interventions to improve QoL in general and in sex in particular.
Over the last decades, women’s sexual life has recorded some noticeable changes, along with new light-shedding perspectives on the understanding of women’s sexuality. A relevant set of studies highlight the importance of different biological, psychological and social dimensions as determinants of sexual functioning and satisfaction, although only a few of them consider those dimensions in an integrated and interdependent way, in order to ascertain each dimension’s significance. Furthermore, and despite the close relation between sexual functioning and sexual satisfaction, the existing literature tends to show some confusion and overlapping between both concepts.
Considering this, the present study is intended to analyse the main relational, psychological, contextual and biomedical predictors of women’s sexual functioning and satisfaction, as well as to explore the relation between these two dimensions of women’s sexuality. In this light, using a sample of 497 women, ten empirical studies were conducted, based on queries aimed at assessing the participants’ social and demographic characteristics, medical history and lifestyle, psychopathology, well-being, cognitive and affective variables, relational aspects, sexual context, sexual activity, sexual functioning and sexual satisfaction.
Results suggested significant differences between women with high and low levels of sexual functioning, and between high and low levels of sexual satisfaction regarding the various dimensions analysed.
On the other hand, the combined analysis of all the biopsychosocial dimensions confirmed the unequivocal contribution of the psychological variables to explain women’s sexual functioning, particularly the role of self-awareness of one’s pleasure during sexual activity, the satisfaction and contentment that derive from meaningful sexual experiences, as well as sexual self-esteem, that is, the image that the woman has of herself as a sexual being. As to the other dimensions considered, only the use of cardiotonic drugs significantly predicted reduced sexual functioning, whereas age, or other social and demographic variables, diseases and the perception of one’s health, menopausal state, lifestyle, psychopathology, general concerns during sexual activity or other contextual variables have shown no predictive value.
Regarding sexual satisfaction, the best predictors were the emotional variables, especially the specific responses of joy and absence of guilt during sexual activity, as well as relational aspects, particularly the relationship’s quality, but also the presence of a sensitive partner to the woman’s needs and sexual preferences. Furthermore, cognitive variables have also shown a significant role, such as women resorting to sexual fantasies and minding their behaviour during sexual activity, contributing to an increased sexual satisfaction. Besides that, sexual self-esteem and the ability to achieve orgasm during sexual encounters were also significant predictors of satisfactory sexual experiences. Conversely, no medical, sociodemographical, lifestyle or psychopathological variables have shown any predictive value for sexual satisfaction.
In a simultaneous analysis of the different biopsychosocial predictors of women’s sexual functioning, cognitive and emotional determinants stand out. Concerning satisfactory sexual experiences, besides those, relational aspects also played a central role, all the more important given the close relation and circularity between sexual functioning and sexual satisfaction. However, these two dimensions of women’s sexual experience seem to have different predictors, thus supporting the need for a differentiated and specific approach, whether in empirical studies or in interventions.
In general, this study was intended to fill a void in the research field regarding women’s sexual experiences, in a positive perspective (both sexual functioning and satisfaction), enabling a deeper knowledge on its determinants, with repercussions for clinical intervention and for the promotion of a more gratifying women’s sexual life.
Background: A major hallmark of sexual assault prevention education is consent promotion. As such, sexual consent has been examined almost exclusively in the context of sexual assault. However, alternative initiatives for prevention education which promote proactive and enthusiastic consent may be beneficial to decrease rates of sexual assault and work toward enhancing individuals' sexual experiences. The current study examined consent outside of a sexual assault framework by assessing consent's relation to individuals' perception of the quality of sexual intercourse while controlling for alcohol consumption, relationship status, age, and gender.
Methods: College students (n=640) were recruited to participate in a survey assessing their most recent engagement in sexual intercourse. Hierarchical regression was conducted: alcohol consumption, relationship status, and age were entered in step 1; the Internal and External Consent Scale factors were entered in step 2. Two separate models were run for women and men.
Results: For women, three factors (Comfort/Safety; Agreement/Wantedness; Physical Response) on the Internal Consent Scale explained a significant proportion of variance in quality of intercourse beyond variables in step 1 (DR2=.17, p DR2=.23, p<.001).
Implications: Preliminary findings suggest that consent influences quality of sexual intercourse. Such findings could be utilized to develop more affirmative models of sexual violence prevention that highlight the need for consensual, pleasurable sexual encounters for individuals of all genders.
This article attempts to review the most current and the well-established facts concerning drug addiction and sexual dysfunction. Surprisingly, even though alcohol is prevalent in many societies with many myths surrounding its sexual-enhancing effects, current scientific research cannot provide a solid conclusion on its effect on sexual function. Unfortunately, the same concept applies to tobacco smoking; however, most of the current knowledge tends to support the notion that it, indeed, can negatively affect sexual function. Similar ambiguities also prevail with substances of abuse.
Résumé
De nombreux travaux ethnologiques et psychologiques ont porté sur les répercussions des usages de drogues et, plus récemment, des médicaments sur les fonctions sexuelles. Nous présentons dans cet article les principales dimensions dégagées sur cette question. Dans un premier temps, les substances aphrodisiaques principales sont envisagées à partir des perspectives ethnologiques et expérimentales. Cette recension montre la diversité des contextes et des produits employés, de même que la variabilité des effets. La seconde section porte sur les drogues de synthèse contemporaines, à leurs contextes d’utilisation ainsi qu’aux conséquences sur la sexualité et la prise de risques face aux infections transmissibles sexuellement (ITS) et au VIH/sida. La troisième partie porte sur les développements pharmacologiques qui modulent la fonction sexuelle de même que sur les usages détournés des médicaments à des fins sexuelles récréatives. Ce survol des recherches contemporaines met en évidence la place importante de l’érotisme dans la consommation des différentes substances et l’intérêt de développer un programme d’études plus précis dans ce domaine.
Psychoactive substances are believed to be aphrodisiac; but in reality they have deleterious effects on all the aspects of sexual function. The purpose of this article is to review and summarize the available sci- entific literature on the impact of psychoactive substances, including alcohol, tobacco and illicit drugs on erectile dysfunction (ED) in men. Almost all of them have been reported to be associated with ED. These substances may exert their inhibitory effect on erection through their effects on central neurotransmitter pathways (serotogenic, adrenergic or dopaminergic). Besides, some also may exhibit vasoconstricting prop- erties (cocaine), impair endothelium function (nicotine) or suppress the release of luteinizing hormone from the pituitary, resulting in hypogonadism (morphine) to induce ED. The relationship between ED and psycho- active substances is attributed not only to pharmacological effects, but also to psychological and social re- actions to substance dependence. Whether withdrawal from the substances could restore erectile function remains unknown. However, human and animal studies demonstrated that the effects of neurological dam- age from chronic substance abuse are long-lasting. This information of sexual consequence of the sub- stances will be of great general interest and may serve as a powerful tool to healthcare providers.
This study aimed to adapt and validate the Changes in Sexual Functioning Questionnaire-short form in a sample of drug-dependent men, achieving equivalence. Participants were 301 drug-dependent and 202 non-drug-dependent men took part in this study. The analysis of invariance revealed strong factor equivalence (RMSEA = .06; χ(2)/df = 2.66 and ΔCFI = -.01) for the 4-factor model (desire, pleasure, arousal, and orgasm). This model has shown the best fit indices. No items showed differential item functioning (ΔR (2) Nagelkerke < .035). Reliability ranged from α = 0.83 for pleasure to α = 0.61 for orgasm. A comparison between the scores of control and experimental participants showed significant differences (CI = 99%) in all the dimensions. Thus, a worse sexual functioning has been observed in the drug consumer group. The adaptation of the Changes in Sexual Functioning Questionnaire-short form to drug-dependent individuals showed good psychometric properties.
1.1. The crustacyanins of Homarus gammarus (L.) and Homarus americanus, identical in absorption spectrum, behave differently in ion-exchange chromatography and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.2.2. The carapace astaxanthin-proteins of the separate species also have distinct subunit structures.
Cannabis (marijuana) is the most widely used illicit drug globally. Given the prevalence of nonprescription illicit drug abuse, there is a growing interest in the study of its potential effects on male sexual health. In this review, we discuss the effects of cannabis on male sexual health.
In this review, we discuss the effects of cannabis on male sexual health. METHODS AND MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Critical review of scientific literature examining the impact of cannabis use on male sexual health.
Studies examining the effects of cannabis use on male sexual function have been limited in both quality and quantity. Most results of these studies are conflicting and contradictory. While some did outline the beneficial effects of cannabis in enhancing erectile function, others did not. However, recent animal and in vitro studies have identified potential links between cannabis and sexual health. It appears that cannabis may actually have peripheral antagonizing effects on erectile function by stimulating specific receptors in the cavernous tissue.
Given the prevalence of cannabis use, and the potential relationships between use and the development of potentially hazardous effects on male sexual function, we encourage renewed use of research resources to determine in-depth mechanistic knowledge, and new clinically oriented studies examining the effect of cannabis on male sexual function.
The putative role of the endocannabinoid system and the effects of cannabis use in male and female sexual functioning are summarized. The influence of cannabis intake on sexual behavior and arousability appear to be dose-dependent in both men and women, although women are far more consistent in reporting facilitatory effects. Furthermore, evidence from nonhuman species indicate somewhat more beneficial than debilitating effects of cannabinoids on female sexual proceptivity and receptivity while suggesting predominantly detrimental effects on male sexual motivation and erectile functioning. Data from human and nonhuman species converge on the ephemeral nature of THC-induced testosterone decline. However, it is clear that cannabinoid-induced inhibition of male sexual behavior is independent of concurrent declines in testosterone levels. Investigations also reveal a suppression of gonadotropin release by cannabinoids across various species. Historical milestones and promising future directions in the area of cannabinoid and sexuality research are also outlined in this review.
To determine whether use of crystal methamphetamine increases HIV risk behaviors beyond the risk associated with use of other recreational drugs among Hispanic men who have sex with men (HMSM).
We compared the sexual behaviors and psychosocial characteristics of non-recreational drug users (non-users), recreational drug users who did not use crystal (non-crystal drug users), and recreational drug users who used crystal (crystal users).
We recruited 294 HMSM from Internet and 272 from community venues. Eligible men completed an ACASI to assess socio-demographic factors, drug use, sexual behaviors and psychosocial factors and received 50 dollars.
In the multivariate model, crystal users were more likely than non-crystal drug users to have lower Hispanicism, higher attachment to the gay community, and history of suicide attempts. Crystal users were not significantly different from non-crystal drug users in number of sex partners; however, differences in unprotected receptive anal sex approached significance.
The additional risk of crystal above that of other recreational drugs needs to be disentangled from those associated with poly-drug use. Our data suggest that it may depend on how one defines risky sexual behavior and is influenced by psychological, physiologic and social factors.
The use of mind-altering substances can be found in very different cultures and traced back thousands of years; the same is true for the searching of drugs that could increase sexual functioning. In this text, we explore the relation between drugs of abuse and sexuality in three domains: drugs and sexual dysfunctions, drugs and risky sexual behavior and drugs used as sexual aids. Although some drugs can increase sexual response in the early stages of the addiction career, particularly in those with a previous sexual dysfunction, the chronic use of substances tends to deteriorate all stages of sexual response in both male and female abusers. There is sufficient evidence for considering that drug use before or during sexual intercourse can, in certain circumstances, elevate the risk of unwanted pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases. Specific prevention strategies should be addressed to this population. Some psychotropic drugs are sometimes used as sexual aids. This can have some risks and should alert the therapist to a possible underlying and undiagnosed sexual problem.
Clinical and basic science studies provide strong indirect evidence that smoking may affect penile erection. The objective of this retrospective research was to investigate the role of smoking for erectile dysfunction (ED) in order to obtain some insight into the prevention of ED. We reviewed the data from 860 male patients aged between 18 and 44 visited during the period January 1999 to December 2002. The patients were divided into three groups: smokers, never smokers and former smokers. All patients were submitted of medical history, such as, IIEF 5 Questionnaire, physical examination, serum levels of glucose, cholesterol, prolactin and free testosterone. Our data were compared with ISTAT (Italian Institute of Statistics) and data on the Italian population of smokers. We have stratified the data by age and area of residence. The 860 patients, mean age 32.4 y old (range 18-44), are distributed into three groups: smokers 460 (53.5%), never smokers 320 (37.2%) and former smokers 80 (9.3%). Current smokers in our series are 460 (53.5%) in comparison to 34.7% of male current smokers in Italy, in the same range (18-44). Out of 860, 337 are patients who smoked more than 20 cigarettes per/day (39.2%) and these data are extremely interesting; while comparing the same aged men through ISTAT, it is found that only 4% are heavy smokers. On analysing the incidence of heavy smoking in middle-aged patients affected by ED with the whole Italian population by means of ISTAT, taking into account males with the same age range and area of residence, it was shown that the data of our population (sample) compared all Italian middle-aged patients are 39.2 vs 4%; this explains the need for education within a comprehensive smoking cessation programme, and should be reserved especially for young smokers, in order to be aware and informed of the effect of tobacco on erectile function.
The research discussed here explores the sexual behavior of two hundred and twenty-eight heavy users of cocaine. Intensive, face-to-face, tape-recorded interviews with each user uncovered some interesting differences in sexuality among various user groups. Far example, male users were found to have greater levels of sexual enhancement from cocaine, than were female users. Another finding was that freebasers and snorters of the drug had similar levels of sexual impairment, while injectors experienced far worse levels of sexual dysfunction. The widespread mythology that cocaine is always a sexual aphrodisiac was certainly not confirmed by this research effort. It was found that there were a myriad of responses to the same dosage level of cocaine, depending, in part, upon the setting of the usage, as well as the background experiences of the user.
This study tested the hypothesis that increasing levels of acute alcohol intoxication are related to systematic changes in female orgasmic experience reflected by physiological, behavioral, and cognitive indices. Using a repeated measures design with monthly experimental sessions, each of 18 university women were sustained at four different blood alcohol concentrations (BAC) in counterbalanced order prior to viewing sexually explicit videotapes and engaging in masturbation to orgasm. Measures of vaginal blood volume obtained by means of a vaginal photoplethysmograph and complemented by a behavioral latency measure showed a progressive and systematic depressant effect of alcohol on orgasmic responding. Higher BACs were associated with longer orgasmic latencies and decreased subjective intensity of orgasm, while, paradoxically, women reported significantly greater sexual arousal and orgasmic pleasurability under conditions of moderate and high alcohol intoxication. Results have implications for treatment and prevention of alcohol‐induced orgasmic dysfunction, and the data suggest that women's orgasm will occur more readily under conditions of no alcohol consumption. Modest intake of alcohol, however, may be expected to result in greater feelings of sexual arousal, a more enjoyable orgasmic experience, and only a moderate increase in the time it takes to reach orgasm.
Critically evaluates research methods and findings relative to the impact of acute and chronic alcohol intake and recreational/illicit and prescription drug use on sexual response. Although drug effects have been frequently associated with changes in sexual function, few studies have controlled for the mediating effects of changes in physical health and well-being. The experimental paradigm developed in research for acute alcohol effects has not been applied to research on other drug substances. Much of the published data on drug effects on sexual response has been based on clinical or anecdotal reports rather than on carefully controlled research designs, and little use has been made of laboratory assessment tools. Few studies of prescription and nonprescription drugs have specifically evaluated treatment effects on the female sexual response. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)
This study was designed to determine the degree to which alcoholic women in early sobriety report sex guilt and sexual control in comparison to a matched sample of non-alcoholic women. It was hypothesized that alcoholic women would report more sex guilt and less control over their sex lives than non-alcoholic women. Sex guilt and lack of sexual control add another dimension into the problem of alcoholism among women, and as such provide an additional way to conceptualize this problem.
Sixteen young men drunk three doses of alcohol and their sexual arousal was measured by the changes in penile diameter. The lowest alcohol dose (BAC of 0.025%) was associated with maximum penile diameter increase; marked suppression of response was found at BACs of 0.05% and above.
A total of 40 university female volunteers, all social drinkers aged 18-35 yrs, were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 expectancy conditions in which they were led to believe that the beverage they were administered contained either vodka and tonic or tonic only. For half the Ss in each expectancy condition, the beverage actually contained vodka; for the other half, tonic only. After their drinks, measures of vaginal pressure pulse obtained with a vaginal photoplethysmograph were recorded during a nonerotic control film and 2 erotic films depicting a heterosexual or a homosexual interaction. The 2 groups that received alcohol, regardless of whether they believed that their drinks contained alcohol, showed significantly reduced sexual arousal during both erotic films. No effects of expectancy or an interaction between alcohol and expectancy were obtained. Ss' subjective estimates of intoxication were significantly correlated with their self-report of sexual arousal during both erotic films. The differences between these results and previous findings using similar procedures with male social drinkers are discussed. (31 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved).
Sixteen adult males participated in a repeated measures design in which they served as their own control to determine the effects of various amounts of alcohol on: (1) their sexual arousal elicited by erotic motion-pictures, as measured by a penile transducer, (2) the ability to voluntarily inhibit their arousal to those same films in accordance with instructions, and (3) the ability to become voluntarily aroused in the absence of overt stimuli. The ingestion of a low (0.5 or 0.6 ml/kg) or a moderate (1.0 or 1.2 ml/kg) amount of alcohol resulted in a small, but significant, depression of mean sexual arousal, but other measures were not affected. However, the ingestion of a high (1.5 or 1.8 ml/kg) amount of alcohol resulted in every measure of evoked arousal being depressed by a comparatively large degree. The high level of alcohol also affected a very large decrease in sexual arousal when subjects were instructed to become sexually aroused in the absence of overt erotic stimuli. In contrast, none of the three amounts of alcohol caused a significant impairment in the ability of subjects to voluntarily inhibit their sexual arousal, even though most subjects experienced some deterioration in that ability after ingesting a moderate amount of alcohol. The actions of alcohol on sexual responses were not significantly correlated with its effects on a nonsexual matching task, were not related to subjective reports of how alcohol usually affects sexual behavior, and were generally not related to reported drinking history.
We examined the relationship between cigarette smoking and erectile physiology in 314 men with erectile dysfunction. All of the men studied were currently cigarette smokers. Evaluations included interviews, physical examinations, and polysomnographic assessment of sleep-related erections. Penile rigidity during nocturnal erection inversely correlated with the number of cigarettes smoked per day. Smoking was also associated with indices of impairment on autonomic function tests and some measures of penile blood pressure. The group of men who smoked the most (more than 40 cigarettes per day) had the fewest minutes of nocturnal tumescence and detumesced fastest. These data are discussed with respect to the results of studies performed in dogs that demonstrated smoking-related reduction in arterial flow and venous restriction. Our findings suggest that smoking may further compromise penile physiology in men experiencing difficulty in maintaining erections long enough for satisfactory intercourse.
One hundred regular marijuana users volunteered to be extensively interviewed in 1968-1970, and 97 were located and reinterviewed 6 to 8 years later. As part of each interview the subjects filled out a checklist review of 105 effects of marijuana. This report focuses on the differential patterns of effects found at the two time intervals. Scores on groupings of items were examined for changes over time. Reports of sensory and hallucinatory items dropped substantially. Reports of appetite effects, sex effects, and intoxication effects on sleep remained stable. Reports of cognitive effects, mood effects, and aftereffects on sleep appeared to be shifting from desirable to undesirable, with the frequency of desirable effects dropping while frequency of undesirable effects remained the same.
This research was intended to discern any correlations between marijuana and human sexual activity. I was specifically interested in exploring the concept that the drug might produce different effects on males and females in regard to their sexual activity. Finally, I was concerned with the dosage of the drug which would produce the most pronounced effect on the majority of the users in regard to their sexual activity.
The evidence from this study indicates that marijuana, when it affects sexual experience, affects it in a positive way. The most uniformly reported effects were general ones: feelings of sexual pleasure and satisfaction, feelings of emotional closeness and intimacy, and a general concurrence that marijauna has mild aphrodisiac properties. While a significant majority of the users agreed that marijuana is consistently an aphrodisiac, or at least under some circumstances, it is apparent that only the most frequent users often seek out the use of this substance specifically for its sexually stimulating qualities. For the others, their use of marijuana is more likely to be coincidental to their sexual behavior. While marijuana does appear to be a drug of choice for the users where sexual activity is concerned, the effects are mild, positive and facilitating, but not compelling.