Sexual Dysfunctions in Patients with Depressive Disorder

Abstract

Background: Sexual dysfunction is prevalent but frequently underdiagnosed comorbidity in depressive disorder patients. It has an important impact on quality of life and on the outcome of treatment, yet is still insufficiently evaluated in most clinical environments.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of sexual dysfunction in patients with Depressive disorder.

Methods & materials: This cross sectional non-interventional study was conducted in Dermatology and Venereology Outpatient Department of Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh, over a period of six months, from February to July 2021. Total 30 patients who were diagnosed with Depressive disorders according to ICD 10 were included in the study.

Result: The majority of the patients (60%) belonged to the age group 20–40, females (56.25%) outnumbering males. Most of the patients were married (95%) and had education beyond the 10th standard in more than half of them. A total of 61.25% of patients had sexual dysfunction, with elevation of the severity of depression: 18.3% in mild, 44.9% in moderate, and 57.1% in severe depression. In males, decreased desire (42.8%) and erectile failure (25.7%) were common, while in females, decreased desire (51.1%), orgasmic failure (40%), and dissatisfaction (44.4%) were more frequently noted.

Conclusion: Sexual dysfunction is extremely common in depressive disorder patients and has a clear association with illness severity. Gender-specific patterns highlight the need for regular sensitive assessment and individual care in clinical practice.