Sexual function and dysfunction studies

Sexual dysfunction—encompassing conditions such as erectile dysfunction, hypoactive sexual desire disorder, and broader difficulties with female sexual function—affects a substantial portion of the adult population across all age groups and has well-documented links to cardiovascular disease, hormonal changes like menopause, and psychological distress. Researchers study how biological factors, including endothelial function and androgen levels, interact with mental health and relationship dynamics to shape sexual wellbeing, drawing on large-scale efforts like the Global Study of Sexual Attitudes and Behaviors to map prevalence and risk factors across cultures. Current work is actively examining when and how interventions—pharmacological treatments such as androgen therapy, psychological approaches, or combinations of both—produce meaningful improvements, and for which patients each strategy is best suited. A central open question is how sexual dysfunction should be understood relative to comorbid conditions: whether it is a symptom, a risk marker, or an independent contributor to cardiovascular and psychiatric outcomes.

Works

82,560

Total citations

1,195,213

Keywords

Sexual DysfunctionErectile DysfunctionFemale Sexual FunctionHypoactive Sexual Desire DisorderAndrogen TherapyCardiovascular Disease