title: Body image and sexual interests in adolescents and young adults with Prader-Willi syndrome.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Hypogonadism is a major feature of Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS), but clinical manifestations are variable. Sexual interests and behavior in this population have not been previously described.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We studied PWS adolescents and young adults to assess 1) satisfaction with physical and sexual development, 2) frequency of romantic and sexual experiences, 3) aspirations and expectations regarding marriage, 4) possible relationships between sexual interests and hormone levels, and 5) the desire for hormonal replacement therapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study population consisted of 27 individuals (13 males) ages 17-32 (mean 23.5) years with genetically confirmed PWS. Mean intelligence quotient (IQ) was 75 (range 50-100). We conducted structured interviews using questionnaires specifically designed for this study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a significant negative correlation between IQ and body image in both males and females. IQ showed a positive correlation with interest in dating and romantic activities. Approximately half of PWS males and females reported having been on a date and kissing romantically. All males and 64% of the females wished to be married. Seventy-seven per cent of PWS males wanted hormonal treatment to increase phallic size. We found no correlation between hormone levels and sexual interests. Only 43% of PWS females wanted hormonal medication to achieve regular menstruation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite documented hypogonadism, PWS young adults are interested in sexual and romantic issues. The range of sexual activities and expectations is variable. Understanding specific sexual characteristics of each individual is important in order to offer proper anticipatory sexual guidance counseling and for appropriate recommendations for hormone replacement.
authors.affiliation: Neuropediatric Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, The Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel.
authors.forename: Varda
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Gross-Tsur
authors.forename: Talia
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Eldar-Geva
authors.forename: Fortu
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Benarroch
authors.forename: Orit
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Rubinstein
authors.forename: Harry J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Hirsch
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D041923:Adolescent Development; D000328:Adult; D001828:Body Image; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D042341:Gonadal Hormones / Q000097:blood; D006065:Gonadotropins, Pituitary / Q000097:blood; D020249:Hormone Replacement Therapy / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D007006:Hypogonadism / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D007360:Intelligence; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D007557:Israel; D008297:Male; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D011218:Prader-Willi Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D011606:Psychosexual Development; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D019529:Sexuality / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D042341:Gonadal Hormones; D006065:Gonadotropins, Pituitary