Sexual medicine: why psychiatrists must talk to their patients about sex.
OBJECTIVE
To review the prevalence of sexual concerns and the relevance of this area to psychiatrists and to present evidence supporting the need for psychiatrists to routinely include a sex-function inquiry in the assessment of their patients.


METHODS
A review of the recent literature was undertaken.


CONCLUSIONS
Sex is a fundamental quality-of-life issue. Sexual problems are extremely prevalent among the general population and even more so among persons with psychiatric or medical illness. There are at least 9 reasons why all physicians, perhaps psychiatrists especially, should make inquiry into sexual behaviours and response a routine part of caring for each patient.
Stevenson
Ronald W D
RW
The BC Centre for Sexual Medicine, Vancouver General Hospital, British Columbia. rwds@interchange.ubc.ca
D000109:Acetylcholine / Q000378:metabolism; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003142:Communication; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000378:metabolism; D010726:Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D011570:Psychiatry / Q000379:methods*; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000009:adverse effects; D012701:Serotonin / Q000378:metabolism; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D020018:Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology
D010726:Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs; D012701:Serotonin; D000109:Acetylcholine; D009638:Norepinephrine