Sexual functioning in trichotillomania and skin picking disorder

This study examines sexual functioning in adults with trichotillomania and skin picking disorder. To our knowledge, no study has examined sexual functioning in either of these disorders.

334 adults (mean age=30.21, SD = 8.23, 83.5% cisgender women, 67.6% sexually active with another person in the past month) were recruited from online Reddit communities. Participants completed surveys assessing demographics, sexual functioning, and current and lifetime pulling and picking severity. Comorbidities and treatment history were assessed via dichotomous variables. Sexual functioning was assessed via the Changes in Sexual Functioning Questionnaire - Short Form (CSFQ-14).

27.1% (n=85) of the sample met criteria for sexual dysfunction. After controlling for relationship status, participants who rated their picking as currently at its worst had significantly lower scores on the Orgasm/Completion subscale. Sexual dysfunction, the total score, and subscales scores were not significantly associated with any current comorbidities or treatment variables.

It is difficult to compare rate of sexual dysfunction in adults with trichotillomania and skin picking disorder with the rate in the general population given the homogeneity of this study's sample. However, worse skin picking symptoms appear to be associated with worse sexual functioning, particularly in the orgasm domain. Since severity of comorbidities was not assessed in this study, further research is needed to determine whether comorbid disorders have an effect on sexual functioning in this population.