Rev Int Androl. 2019 Jan - Mar;17(1):15-23. doi: 10.1016/j.androl.2017.12.005. Epub 2018 Mar 6.

[The importance of biomedical indicators in sexual functioning in healthy Portuguese adults].

[Article in Spanish]

Teixeira P¹, Pereira H², Monteiro S³, Esgalhado G³, Afonso RM³, Loureiro M³, Ferrão D⁴, Garcia N⁵.

Author information

1: Universidade da Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal; Universidade da Beira Interior, Departamento de Psicologia e Educação, Covilhã, Portugal. Electronic address: hpereira@ubi.pt.
2: Universidade da Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal; Universidade da Beira Interior, Departamento de Psicologia e Educação, Covilhã, Portugal; Universidade da Beira Interior, Centro de Investigação em Ciências da Saúde (CICS), Covilhã, Portugal.
3: Universidade da Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal; Universidade da Beira Interior, Departamento de Psicologia e Educação, Covilhã, Portugal.
4: Agrupamento de Centros de Saúde Cova da Beira, Centro de Saúde da Covilhã, Covilhã, Portugal.
5: Universidade da Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal; Universidade da Beira Interior, Departamento de Informática, Covilhã, Portugal.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of biomedical indicators, such as body mass index, blood glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides, systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure, on sexual functioning in Portuguese adults.

METHODS:

The sample consisted of 225 healthy individuals (non-smokers, women not taking contraceptive pill), aged 18-89 years (mean = 41 years), of whom 107 were males and 117 females. A Sociodemographic Questionnaire, the Portuguese version of the Massachusetts General Hospital Sexual Functioning Questionnaire (MGH-SFQ) and biomedical indicators measurement devices were applied.

RESULTS:

59.6% (N = 134) of the participants presented levels for global sexual functioning below the expected values. Men scored better overall sexual functioning when compared to women, as well as the group of younger participants. Significant correlational values between BMI (r = -253, p <.001), glycemic index (r = -.230, p <.001), total cholesterol (r = -144, p < .05) and sexual functioning were obtained. The hierarchical regression model allowed to demonstrate the mediating effect of the biomedical variables on sexual functioning, explaining 31% (r2 = .31; p <.001) of the total variance.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:

This research makes it possible to highlight the importance of biomedical indicators in sexual functioning, helping professionals working in this area to be aware of how biomedical contexts interfere with sexual expression.