title: Diagnosing Sexual Dysfunction in Men and Women: Sexual History Taking and the Role of Symptom Scales and Questionnaires.
abstract: A detailed sexual history is the cornerstone for all sexual problem assessments and sexual dysfunction diagnoses. Diagnostic evaluation is based on an in-depth sexual history, including sexual and gender identity and orientation, sexual activity and function, current level of sexual function, overall health and comorbidities, partner relationship and interpersonal factors, and the role of cultural and personal expectations and attitudes.
  
  
  
  To propose key steps in the diagnostic evaluation of sexual dysfunctions, with special focus on the use of symptom scales and questionnaires.
  
  
  
  Critical assessment of the current literature by the International Consultation on Sexual Medicine committee.
  
  
  
  A revised algorithm for the management of sexual dysfunctions, level of evidence, and recommendation for scales and questionnaires.
  
  
  
  The International Consultation on Sexual Medicine proposes an updated algorithm for diagnostic evaluation of sexual dysfunction in men and women, with specific recommendations for sexual history taking and diagnostic evaluation. Standardized scales, checklists, and validated questionnaires are additional adjuncts that should be used routinely in sexual problem evaluation. Scales developed for specific patient groups are included. Results of this evaluation are presented with recommendations for clinical and research uses.
  
  
  
  Defined principles, an algorithm and a range of scales may provide coherent and evidence based management for sexual dysfunctions.
authors.affiliation: Institute for the Study of Urological Disease and Department of Urology, Aristotle University, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Dimitris
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hatzichristou
authors.affiliation: Department of Sexual and Reproductive Health, Institute for the Study of Urological Disease and Private Practice, Thessaloniki, Greece. Electronic address: pskirana@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Paraskevi-Sofia
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Kirana
authors.affiliation: Private Practice, San Jose, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Banner
authors.affiliation: Center for Marital and Sexual Health of South Florida, West Palm Beach, FL; Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA.
authors.forename: Stanley E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Althof
authors.affiliation: Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Women's and Children's Health, Norwegian University of Science and Technology and Gynecological Department, St. Olavs Hospital, Trondheim, Norway.
authors.forename: Risa A M
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Lonnee-Hoffmann
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
authors.forename: Lorraine
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Dennerstein
authors.affiliation: New England Research Institutes, Watertown, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Raymond C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Rosen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000465:Algorithms; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D057215:Body Dysmorphic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D003469:Culture; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D005242:Fecal Incontinence / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D052776:Female Urogenital Diseases / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D007989:Libido; D008037:Linguistics; D008297:Male; D008487:Medical History Taking / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000523:psychology; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology; D056887:Pelvic Organ Prolapse / Q000523:psychology; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011594:Psychometrics; D011788:Quality of Life; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D057566:Self Report; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D020018:Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D012747:Sexual Partners; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000523:psychology; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000209:etiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires / Q000592:standards*; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000523:psychology
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents
keywords: Algorithm; Diagnosis; Questionnaires; Scales; Sexual History