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Eating Disorders and Sexual Function Reviewed: A Trans-diagnostic, Dimensional Perspective

  • Clinical Therapeutics (B McCarthy, R Segraves and R Balon, Section Editors)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

Clinical observation and a growing body of empirical research point to an association between disordered eating and sexual function difficulties. The present review identifies and connects the current knowledge on sexual dysfunction in the eating disorders, and provides a theoretical framework for conceptualizing the association between these important health conditions.

Recent Findings

Research on sexuality and eating pathology has focused on clinical samples of women with anorexia nervosa (AN) and bulimia nervosa (BN). All aspects of sexual response can be impacted in women with an eating disorder, with sexual function in women with AN appearing to be more compromised than in women with BN. Research of this nature is extremely limited with respect to BED, non-clinical samples, men, and individuals with non-binary gender identities.

Summary

Sexuality should be examined and addressed within the context of eating disorder treatment. Sexual dysfunction and eating disorders, along with commonly comorbid disorders of anxiety and mood, can be seen as separate but frequently overlapping manifestations of internalizing psychopathology. Psychological, developmental, sociocultural, etiological, and biophysical factors likely represent risk and maintenance factors for internalizing disorders. A dimensional, trans-diagnostic approach to disordered eating and sexuality has promising implications for future research and clinical interventions.

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Notes

  1. Loss of menses for three or more consecutive months in post-menarche females

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, 2136 West Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4, Canada

    Cara R. Dunkley & Yana Svatko

  2. UBC Sexual Health Lab, 2775 Laurel Street, 6th Floor Gordon & Leslie Diamond Heath Care Centre, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 1M9, Canada

    Cara R. Dunkley & Lori A. Brotto

  3. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of British Columbia, 2136 West Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4, Canada

    Lori A. Brotto

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  1. Cara R. Dunkley
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Correspondence to Cara R. Dunkley.

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Dunkley, C.R., Svatko, Y. & Brotto, L.A. Eating Disorders and Sexual Function Reviewed: A Trans-diagnostic, Dimensional Perspective. Curr Sex Health Rep 12, 1–14 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11930-020-00236-w

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