Autoeroticism, mental health, and organic disturbances in patients with erectile dysfunction.
BACKGROUND
Masturbation is a common, but often neglected, male sexual behavior.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the psychobiological correlates of self-reported masturbation in the last 3 months.


METHODS
A consecutive series of 2,786 heterosexual male patients (mean age 48.4 +/- 13.2) consulting an outpatient clinic for erectile dysfunction (ED) was studied.


METHODS
Several hormonal, biochemical and instrumental parameters (penile Doppler ultrasound [PDU]) were investigated. Patients were interviewed, prior to the beginning of any treatment, with Structured Interview on Erectile Dysfunction (SIEDY) and ANDROTEST structured interviews. They also completed the Middlesex Hospital Questionnaire, a brief self-reported questionnaire for the screening of the symptoms of mental disorders in a nonpsychiatric setting.


RESULTS
Among the patients studied, 1,781 (61.9%) reported they had masturbated at least once per month in the preceding 3 months. The frequency of masturbation was inversely related to age (r = -0.329; P < 0.0001) and directly associated with education level (adj r = 0.052, P < 0.05 after adjustment for age). A feeling of guilt during masturbation was reported by 274 (15.4%) patients. After adjusting for age, masturbation was positively associated with testosterone levels, stressful conditions, and both unstable and long-lasting couple relationship. Urogenital problems such as varicocele and prostate abnormalities also increased the chance of masturbation. Reported guiltiness during autoeroticism was associated with psychological disturbances, low prolactin, low testosterone, and increased relational problems. An erection not normal during masturbation was declared by 1,361 (76.4%) patients and associated with a prevalent organic component of ED, because of lower peak systolic velocity PDU and higher SIEDY Scale 1 scores.


CONCLUSIONS
This study indicates that masturbation is a relatively frequent behavior in male subjects with ED. Inquiring about this sexual behavior is an important issue for understanding overall patients' sexual attitudes and behavior.
Corona
Giovanni
G
Andrology Unit, Department of Clinical Physiopathology, University of Florence, Florence Italy.
Ricca
Valdo
V
Boddi
Valentina
V
Bandini
Elisa
E
Lotti
Francesco
F
Fisher
Alessandra D
AD
Sforza
Alessandra
A
Forti
Gianni
G
Mannucci
Edoardo
E
Maggi
Mario
M
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D015897:Comorbidity; D004522:Educational Status; D004542:Ejaculation; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D054541:Family Conflict / Q000523:psychology; D006167:Guilt; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008418:Masturbation / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010410:Penile Erection / Q000523:psychology; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood
D013739:Testosterone; D011388:Prolactin