Sexual health and function in liver disease
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Updated: May 17, 2025

Novel In Vivo Micro-Computed Tomography Imaging Techniques for Assessing the Progression of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Published on: March 24, 2023
Alberto Ferrarese1, Ivonne Hurtado Díaz de León2, Elliot B Tapper3
1Multivisceral Transplant Unit, Gastroenterology, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, Padua University Hospital, Padua, Italy.
Abstract:
Sex is a central aspect of human life and is significantly impacted by chronic illness. Cirrhosis, due to its unique pathophysiology and the side effects of common therapies, serves as a paradigmatic example, being associated with very high rates of sexual dysfunction in both men and women. Liver transplantation can modify certain hormonal and pathophysiological aspects related to sexual dysfunction, but complete recovery occurs in only a relatively small percentage of patients. This review examines the pathophysiology, epidemiology, and management of sexual and reproductive dysfunction in patients with cirrhosis and those undergoing liver transplantation. It provides a framework for understanding the sources of dysfunction, tools for identifying it in clinical settings, and interventions to improve sexual health and functioning in these patients.
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