title: Assessment of sexual function in the medically ill: psychosomatic approach to sexual functioning.
abstract: Good sexual functioning is a part of overall well-being. Assessment of sexual functioning should be part of any complete psychosomatic assessment. The cornerstone of this assessment is a comprehensive clinical interview of the patient, with, if possible, collateral information obtained from the partner or another clinician. In addition, comprehensive assessment of sexual function should include a physical examination with a special focus on sexual function, laboratory testing and possibly other specialized testing and, in some cases, psychometric assessment. The results of a thorough assessment may serve as a basis for considering possible etiology(ies) of sexual dysfunction, coexisting comorbidities and as a starting point of managing sexual dysfunction.
authors: Departments of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, and Anesthesiology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Mich., USA.
authors: Richard
authors: R
authors: Balon
mesh_terms: D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D008297:Male; D010552:Personality Assessment; D011602:Psychophysiologic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D020018:Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy