title: The effect of vitiligo on sexual relationships.
abstract: To study the effect of vitiligo on interference with sexual relationships, we surveyed 158 patients by questionnaire. Although a majority of patients reported a negative impact on sexual relationships, most patients felt embarrassment when showing their body or meeting strangers. The majority of patients who reported a negative impact on sexual relationships attributed the problems to their embarrassment. Those who were particularly affected were those with low self-esteem, men, those to whom appearance is important, and single persons. Dermatologists should be especially alert to the effects of disfigurement and should attempt to assist patients with this problem.
authors.affiliation: Department of Sociology, Bryn Mawr College, PA 19010.
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Porter
authors.forename: A H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Beuf
authors.forename: A B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Lerner
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Nordlund
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012737:Sex Factors; D012747:Sexual Partners / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014820:Vitiligo / Q000523:psychology*