Impact of environment, stress, occupational, and other hazards on sexuality and sexual behavior

Sexual health is important for general as well as reproductive health. The effects of the environment on sexual health are complex, however, because of the psychosomatic nature of human sexuality. The effects of any specific environmental agent on sexual function will therefore be modified or amplified by psychosocial factors, and any assessment of the effects of the agent will need to take those factors into account. As a consequence, we have little direct evidence of the adverse effects of the environment on sexuality. This paper therefore considers a) the aspects of sexuality that may by susceptible to environmental effects and the likely mediating mechanisms. These are considered under three headings: psychophysiological, endocrine, and subjective/interpersonal; b) the types of relevant environmental factors, including toxic pollutants, self-administered toxins, diet, situational factors, adversity, stress, and social and cultural factors. As yet research has not controlled adequately for the various confounding factors. It is suggested that a first step is to investigate the effects of work stress (e.g., shift and night work) on sexual relationships, comparing the effects across contrasting cultural settings. Such research would then provide a basis for cross-cultural study of other environmental factors.