Clinical practice guidelines: sexual dysfunction in gynecological cancer patients.

Background: Sexual dysfunctions (SDs) due to gynecological cancer (GC) are common. Healthcare providers (HCPs) are often not prepared to address sexual health issues, missing the opportunity to provide comprehensive post-cancer survivorship care.

Aim: To review the available evidence about diagnosing and managing SD after GC and providing practical clinical suggestions on behalf of the European Society of Sexual Medicine.

Continuous education in sexology: the International Online Sexology Supervisors (IOSS) conceptual framework and roadmap.

Introduction: The necessity for continuous, digitally accessible education in sexology-viewed from an international perspective and adhering to the highest quality standards-has driven the development of the work presented here.

Objectives: The objective of this paper is to enhance understanding of theory-based continuous education in sexology by informing readers about relevant theoretical perspectives and their applications.

Methods: First, we outline 2 foundational models in continuous education to provide context for how they shape adult learning practices.

Italian Versions of the 12-Item Sexual Distress Scale (SDS) and the 5-Item Sexual Distress Scale-Short Form (SDS-SF): Psychometric Properties.

The study aimed to analyze the psychometric properties of the Italian versions of the 12-item Sexual Distress Scale (SDS) and the 5-item Sexual Distress Scale-Short Form (SDS-SF). A total sample of 2291 adults (1361 women, 930 men) participated through a web survey completing the SDS, the FSFI, the IIEF, the PANAS and the SCL-90-R. The results supported the adequacy of both the SDS and SDS-SF factor structures, good reliability (respectively, α = .

COVID-19 Quarantine Dramatically Affected Male Sexual Behavior: Is There a Possibility to Go Back to Normality?

We performed a monocentric longitudinal study on sexually active male patients, from May 2021 to October 2021, with SARS-CoV-2 infection confirmed with a nasopharyngeal reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The questionnaires were delivered by email. The study period was divided into the periods before getting tested (T1), during quarantine (T2), 1 month after a negative test (T3), and 3 months after a negative test (T4).

Endometriosis and Sexual Functioning: How Much Do Cognitive and Psycho-Emotional Factors Matter?

Women with endometriosis often suffer from genito-pelvic pain. The objective of the present study was to analyze the relationship between cognitive and psycho-emotional factors and sexual functioning of women with endometriosis, comparing women with and without endometriosis. A total of 87 women with endometriosis (EG) and 100 women without endometriosis (CG) completed a socio-demographic questionnaire; the short-form of McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ); the Female Sexual Functioning Index (FSFI); the Sexual Distress Scale (SDS); the Symptoms Checklist (SCL-90-R); the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20); the Positive and Negative Affects Scale (PANAS); the Sexual Dysfunctional Belief Questionnaire (SDBQ); the Sexual Modes Questionnaire (SMQ); and the Questionnaire of Cognitive Schema Activation in Sexual Context (QCSASC).

ReOpen demands as public health threat: a sociotechnical framework for understanding the stickiness of misinformation.

In the absence of a national, coordinated, response to COVID-19, state and local representatives had to create and enforce individualized plans to protect their constituents. Alongside the challenge of trying to curb the virus, public health officials also had to contend with the spread of false information. This problematic content often contradicted safeguards, like masks, while promoting unverified and potentially lethal treatments.

Endometriosis-associated pain: a review of quality of life, sexual health and couple relationship.

Introduction: Endometriosis is a chronic gynecological disease that affects women's quality of life, sexuality, and relationship. Endometriosis-associated pain plays an essential role in well-being impairment. The present review aimed to analyze literature about endometriosis-associated pain and quality of life, sexual health, and quality of the relationship, assessing the role of the bio-psycho-social factors involved and the women's pain experience.

CD33 and SIGLECL1 Immunoglobulin Superfamily Involved in Dementia.

Sialic acid-binding immunoglobulin-type lectins, which are predominantly expressed in immune cells, represent a family of immunomodulatory receptors with inhibitory and activating signals, in both healthy and disease states. Genetic factors are important in all forms of dementia, especially in early onset dementia. CD33 was recently recognized as a genetic risk factor for Alzheimer disease (AD).

Genital Pain and Sexual Functioning: Effects on Sexual Experience, Psychological Health, and Quality of Life.

Background: Genital pain (GP) is a common symptom in women of reproductive age. The prevalence of GP is difficult to gauge as it has been underreported by both patients and clinicians and neglected in clinical studies despite wide recognition of the adverse effects to women's health.

Aim: The purpose of the present study was 3-fold: (i) to explore the self-reported presence and perception of GP and its association with sexual functioning, sexual distress, emotions, psychopathology, and quality of life (QoL); (ii) to explore if, controlling for the pain effect, women with Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) scores indicating sexual dysfunction also reported worse outcomes regarding sexual distress, emotions, psychological health, and QoL than GP women with higher FSFI scores; and (iii) to evaluate the effects of GP duration, comparing women with GP with shorter (<6 months) duration of symptoms with women with longer (≥6 months) duration of symptom of GP on sexual functioning, distress, emotions, psychopathology and QoL.

Hormonal Contraception and Female Sexuality: Position Statements from the European Society of Sexual Medicine (ESSM).

Introduction: Hormonal contraception is available worldwide in many different forms. Fear of side effects and health concerns are among the main reasons for not using contraceptives or discontinuing their use. Although the safety and efficacy of contraceptives have been extensively examined, little is known about their impact on female sexual function, and the evidence on the topic is controversial.

A Biopsychosocial Model for the Counseling of Hormonal Contraceptives: A Review of the Psychological, Relational, Sexual, and Cultural Elements Involved in the Choice of Contraceptive Method.

Introduction: Hormonal contraceptives are among the most popular contraceptives used by women worldwide. Long-term adherence may vary significantly among users because of fear of side effects, unhealthy habits, and lack of knowledge, despite their proven effectiveness.

Aim: To analyze the psychological, relational, sexual, and cultural factors associated with choice and use of hormonal contraceptives.

[Smartphone applications : useful for sex education, counselling and therapy ?].

In recent years, the number of smartphone users has exploded worldwide and downloads of applications for these phones have increased significantly. The purpose of this article is to present a review of the literature on the use of smartphone applications to improve sexual health, suggesting how they can be used in sex education, counselling and therapy ; the use of smartphone applications to provide sexual health information, particularly to younger populations, could increase awareness of risky sexual behaviours before first sexual intercourse. This article could help sexologists use smartphone applications to facilitate their work.

Male Sexual Desire: An Overview of Biological, Psychological, Sexual, Relational, and Cultural Factors Influencing Desire.

Introduction: The literature showed the need for a better understanding of the male sexual response, which has historically been considered as simpler and more mechanistic compared with that in women.

Aim: To examine the literature on biopsychosocial factors associated with the level of sexual desire in men and discuss some interesting directions for future research.

Methods: A systematic literature review was conducted.

Are Role and Gender Related to Sexual Function and Satisfaction in Men and Women Practicing BDSM?

Background: Published studies show good psychological health of people involved in bondage-discipline, dominance-submission, and sadism-masochism (BDSM) activities; nevertheless, there are few studies on characteristics related to gender, role in the BDSM scene, sexual functioning, and satisfaction among BDSM practitioners.

Aim: The aim of this study was to explore gender and role differences, prevalence of sexual complaints, related distress, and sexual satisfaction in BDSM participants compared with the general population.

Methods: A group of 266 Italian consensual BDSM participants (141 men and 125 women) were recruited with a snowball sampling technique.

Which psychosocial variables affect drive the most? Analysis of sexual desire in a group of Italian men.

Literature lacks wide studies on variables affecting sexual desire in men. Aim of this study was to explore the role of some psychosocial variables such as quality of life, sexual function, distress, sexual satisfaction, psychological symptoms, emotions, alexithymia, couple adjustment, sexism, dysfunctional beliefs, cognitive schemas, and modes. A self-administered survey reached 450 heterosexual Italian men (age 31.

Testing a Conceptual Model for Men's Sexual Desire Referring to Automatic Thoughts, Emotions, Sexual Function, and Sexism.

Introduction: Literature lacks biopsychosocial models of men's sexuality. Regarding sexual desire, Carvalho and Nobre (J Sex Med 2011;8:754-763.) presented a cognitive-affective model including age, medical factors, dyadic adjustment, psychopathology, restrictive attitudes toward sexual activity, erection concerns, lack of erotic thoughts (LET), sadness, and shame as predictors.

Sexual Modes Questionnaire (SMQ): Translation and Psychometric Properties of the Italian Version of the Automatic Thought Scale.

Background: The Sexual Modes Questionnaire (SMQ) is a validated and widespread used tool to assess the association among negative automatic thoughts, emotions, and sexual response during sexual activity in men and women.

Aim: To test the psychometric characteristics of the Italian version of the SMQ focusing on the Automatic Thoughts subscale (SMQ-AT).

Methods: After linguistic translation, the psychometric properties (internal consistency, construct, and discriminant validity) were evaluated.

Expanding the Analysis of Psychosocial Factors of Sexual Desire in Men.

Background: The literature lacks studies of the male sex drive. Most existing studies have focused on hypoactive sexual desire disorder in coupled heterosexual men, highlighting some of the main related biological, psychological, and social factors.

Aim: To evaluate the role of selected psychological and social variables affecting male sexual desire such as quality of life, sexual function, distress, satisfaction, psychological symptoms, emotions, alexithymia, couple adjustment, sexism, cognitive schemas activated in a sexual context, sexual dysfunctional beliefs, and different classes of cognitions triggered during sexual activity about failure anticipation, erection concerns, age- and body-related thoughts, erotic fantasies, and negative attitudes toward sexuality.

Oxford School of Sexual Medicine: how are we doing?

Introduction: Since 2007, the European Society of Sexual Medicine has held an annual 2-week educational residential program at Oxford. The Oxford School of Sexual Medicine provides knowledge and skills learning opportunities for healthcare professionals.

Aim: The aim of the current study was to evaluate the impact of Oxford School courses on the daily practice and medical careers of fellows from different countries.

Health-related characteristics and unmet needs of men with erectile dysfunction: a survey in five European countries.

Introduction: Data suggest that ED is still an underdiagnosed and undertreated condition. In addition, it seems that men with ED are unsatisfied about their relationship with their physician and with the available drugs.

Aim: The study aims to identify health-related characteristics and unmet needs of patients suffering from erectile dysfunction (ED) in big 5 European Union (EU) nations (France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and UK).

Blood ammonia levels in liver cirrhosis: a clue for the presence of portosystemic collateral veins.

Background: Portal hypertension leads to the formation of portosystemic collateral veins in liver cirrhosis. The resulting shunting is responsible for the development of portosystemic encephalopathy. Although ammonia plays a certain role in determining portosystemic encephalopathy, the venous ammonia level has not been found to correlate with the presence or severity of this entity.

Mental status impairment in patients with West Haven grade zero hepatic encephalopathy: the role of HCV infection.

Background: In patients with cirrhosis, subclinical hepatic encephalopathy, which negatively affects the activity of daily living, is often unidentified. In a multicenter observational study, we investigated the possibility of detecting minimal neurological changes consistent with subclinical hepatic encephalopathy by using the Trail Making Test in a cohort of patients with liver cirrhosis at hospital admission.

Methods: Seventy-seven consecutive patients with liver cirrhosis were studied (mean age, 69.