Sexual Satisfaction: An Opportunity to Explore Overall Health in Men

To evaluate the use of sexual dissatisfaction as a marker of poor overall health. Secondary objectives were to assess the effect of age on this measure and the utility of the Brief Sexual Symptom Checklist (BSSC) for general practitioners (GPs) and patients.

This is a multicenter, cross-sectional study conducted in Spain among men aged ≥50 years presenting with mood disorders or cardiovascular comorbidities (hypertension, dyslipidemia, or diabetes) visiting a GP for any reason. A group of men without these comorbidities were also analyzed. The main outcome measures were prevalence of sexual dissatisfaction, based on the comorbidities analyzed (type, number, or their absence) and problems with sexual function in dissatisfied men (overall and in men aged < 60 or ≥60 years).

Seven hundred eighteen men aged 61.7 ± 7.1 years who presented the analyzed comorbidities participated, 69.8% of whom were sexually dissatisfied. Men without comorbidities (n = 144) were younger and had lower prevalence of sexual dissatisfaction (54.2%; P = .001). Sexual dissatisfaction increased with age. Having these comorbidities (especially mood disorders) significantly increased the likelihood of sexual dissatisfaction after adjusting for age. Erection problems and lack of interest in sex were the most reported problems, independent of the presence of comorbidities. Differences in the prevalence of these problems were found in men with and without comorbidities after splitting the population into 2 age groups. GPs and dissatisfied patients found the BSSC useful and easy to use.

Assessment of sexual satisfaction and related sexual problems using the BSSC could help in approaching men's overall health. Further research is needed.