Research article summary (published 12 Jan 2008):

The sexual lives of medical students: a single institution survey.

Full Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Little is known about the personal sexual lives of medical students. AIM: To assess sexual habits and determine the presence of sexual dysfunction among medical students. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Demographic and sexual experience data and domain scores on validated sexuality surveys. Instruments selected included the International Index of Erectile Function, the Index of Premature Ejaculation, and the Self Esteem and Relationship Quality Survey for male medical students and the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), and the Index of Sex Life for female medical students. METHODS: Medical students at our institution were invited to complete a demographic questionnaire and gender- appropriate sexuality surveys. Results were compared with established normative data and validated cut-off scores when available. Linear regression and Pearson coefficient were used to assess relationships between variables. RESULTS: There were 132 responses (78 female mean age 24 years, 54 male, mean age 25 years). Condoms and oral contraceptives were the most popular form of contraception. Among men, 81.5%, 37%, and 93% were in a relationship, married, and heterosexual, respectively. Among women, 64%, 18%, and 95% were in a relationship, married, and heterosexual. Erectile dysfunction was reported by 30% of men. Proxy measures of other sexual problems in men revealed a 28% prevalence of dissatisfaction with sex life, a 28% prevalence of problems controlling ejaculation, an 11% prevalence of orgasmic dysfunction, and a 6% prevalence of low sexual desire. Based on validated FSFI scoring, 63% of women were at high risk of sexual dysfunction. Proxy measures of other problems in women indicated disorders of pain, orgasms, desire, sex satisfaction, lubrication, and arousal in 39%, 37%, 32%, 28%, 26%, and 24% of female respondents, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: These data provide insight into the sexual lives of medical students. Rates of sexual dysfunction are higher than expected based on normative data. Further research is required.

Author information

Author/s: Shindel, Alan W (AW); Ferguson, Genoa G (GG); Nelson, Christian J (CJ); Brandes, Steven B (SB);

Affiliation: Washington University in Saint Louis-Department of Surgery, Division of Urology, St. Louis, MO, USA. shindela(-atsign-)urology.ucsf.edu

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article

Journal: The journal of sexual medicine (J Sex Med), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2008-Apr; vol 5 (issue 4) : pp 796-803

Dates: Created 2008/03/28; Completed 2008/04/22;

PMID: 18208500, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 2/18/2009, IMS Date: )

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Adult Coitus Female Humans Interpersonal Relations Libido Male Personal Satisfaction

Questionnaires Sex Factors Sexual Behavior - psychology; statistics & numerical data Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological - epidemiology; psychology Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological - epidemiology; psychology Sexual Partners Students, Medical - psychology; statistics & numerical data United States - epidemiology

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