Comparison of the Prevalence of Sexual Dysfunction in Panic Disorder Patients in Terms of Gender

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study is to evaluate the frequency of sexual dysfunction in male and female panic disorder (PD) patients and to make a comparison between genders.Materials and Methods: A total of 57 cases, including 33 females aged 36 +/- 6 years and 24 males aged 35 +/- 7 years, who were sexually active, did not use psychotropic drugs, with primary diagnosis of PD according to DSM-5, were included in the study. Individual information collection forms and the Arizona Sexual Experiences Scale (ASEX) were applied to all cases, and sexual dysfunctions (SD) were questioned.Results: According to the suggested cut-off score of the Turkish version of the Arizona Sexual Experiences Scale, 77.2% of all participants had SD. SD was detected in 81.8% of women and 70.8% of men. There was a significant difference between men and women in terms of ASEX total scores. There was no significant difference between men and women in terms of sexual desire and orgasm satisfaction. Sub-dimension scores of arousal, lubrication/erection, and reaching orgasm were significantly higher in females. Sexual reluctance was the most common in both genders, with 30.4% of women and 36.5% of men.Conclusion: Sexual dysfunction is common among PD patients. Sexual reluctance is the most common in male and female patients with PD. Arousal and orgasm problems are more common in female PD patients than in male PD patients.