Toronto Alexithymia Scale in outpatients with sexual disorders

The Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-26) was administered to patients with sexual disorders (n = 112) and to healthy control subjects (n = 94). The clinic sample was divided into three subgroups according to DSM-III-R criteria: patients with hypoactive sexual desire disorder (n = 41), patients with orgasm disorders (n = 51) and patients with male erectile disorder (n = 20). TAS scores were significantly higher for male and female patients with hypoactive sexual desire disorder, and with male erectile disorder than controls. The TAS scores in the orgasm disorder patients were not significantly different from those of controls. These results are interesting because they show an association betweeen alexithymia and some sexual symptoms.