Evaluatoin of post-operative sexual function in patients with gender dysphoria

Abstract

Background and Objective: The results of surgical treatment, successfulness and methods of evaluation in gender dysphoria are highly variable. This study was done to determine the status of sexual function in patients with impaired gender identity after sexual re-assignment male to female surgery. Methods: This cross-sectional study, conducted on 40 patients referred to surgery clinic in Tehran during 2014-2015. Female sexual function index (FSFI) questionnaire was used to assess the status of sexual function. Results: Ninety- five percent of patients had a healthy sexual desire and arousal. Also, 75%, 55.4% and 27.5% of patients had satisfaction, moisture content and good orgasm, respectively. The pain was tolerable in 25% of cases; however, in terms of overall sexual function, only 12.5% of patients had a satisfactory sexual performance. The relationship between education, occupation, residence and previous history of mental illness with sexual function was not significant. Also, 42.9% of patients who had not desirable sexual performance, had a history of drug abuse, and all these subjects reported desirable sexual performance. Conclusion: Sexual function in cases that have undergone surgery was not suitable. Sexual pain and anorgasmia were important factors in this condition.

Keywords

• Gender identity
• Sexual re-assignment
• Sexual disorder