Validated Questionnaires in Male Sexual Function Assessment

Abstract

Self-administered questionnaires and symptom scales are valuable adjuncts to clinical practice in sexual medicine and are an important part of high quality research. Despite their value in identifying and evaluating sexual dysfunction, screening tools and questionnaires should never substitute for a thorough sexual, medical, and psychosocial history. For patients with multiple sexual dysfunction symptoms following cancer diagnosis or treatment (e.g., ED and low libido), further evaluation of these symptoms is always recommended prior to initiating therapy for cancer or sexual dysfunction. Whenever possible, the temporal association or causal relationship between the symptoms should be assessed. The sexual, medical and psychosocial history is an essential element in the basic evaluation and should be obtained in all patients presenting with complaints of sexual dysfunction. The essential components of sexual function assessment in the male should always include: erectile response (onset, duration, progression, severity of the problem, nocturnal/morning erections, self-stimulatory and visual erotic-induced erections), altered sexual desire, ejaculation, orgasm, sexually-related genital pain disorders, and partner sexual function, if available.

Appendix

Medical, Psychosocial, and Sexual Assessment Questionnaire

Please answer the following questions about your overall sexual function in the past 3 months:

Erection

• (a) Chronology

  • When was the last time you had a satisfactory erection?

  • Was the onset of your problem gradual or sudden?

  • When was your last normal erection?

  • Do you have morning or night-time erections?

  • On a scale of 1–5 rate your rigidity during sex?

  • With sexual stimulation can you initiate an erection?

  • With sexual stimulation can you maintain an erection?

• (b) Qualify

  • Is your erectile dysfunction partner or situational specific?

  • Do you lose erection before penetration, or before climax?

  • Do you have to concentrate to maintain an erection?

  •  Is there a significant bend in your penis?

  •  Do you have pain with erection?

  • Are there any sexual positions that are difficult for you?

Libido/Interest

• Do you still look forward to sex?

• Do you still enjoy sexual activity?

• Do you fantasize about sex?

• Do you have sexual dreams?

• Are you easily sexually aroused (turned on)?

• Do you have a strong sex drive?

Ejaculation/Orgasm/Satisfaction

• Are you able to ejaculate when you have sex?

• Are you able to ejaculate when you masturbate?

• If you have a problem with ejaculating, is it:

  • You ejaculate before you want to?

  • You ejaculate before your partner wants you to?

  • You take too long to ejaculate?

  • You feel that nothing comes out?

• Do you have pain with ejaculation?

• Do you see blood in your ejaculation?

• Do you have difficulty reaching orgasm?

• Do you find your orgasm satisfying?

• What percentage of sexual attempts are ­satisfactory to your partner?

Satisfaction

• Are you satisfied with your sexual function? Yes/No

  • If No, please continue:

• How long have you been dissatisfied with your sexual function?

  • 3 Months 6 Months 1 Year 2 Years Over

• What effect, if any, has your sexual problem had on your partner relationship/s?

  • Little or no effect Moderate effect big effect

•  What is the most likely reason/s for your sexual problem

  • Medical illness or surgery

  • Prescription medications

  • Stress or relationship problems

  • Don’t know

Previous Consultations

• Have you consulted a physician or counselor for your sexual problems?

• If yes, what type of physician or counselor have you consulted (check all that apply):

  • General practitioner

  • Urologist

  • Other specialist

  • Counselor or psychologist

• Are you taking any medication or receiving medical treatment for your sexual problem?

  If yes, what medical or other nonmedical treatments are you using?

• How effective has the treatment been?

  • Not at all effective

  • Somewhat effective

  • Very effective

• The problem with your sexual function concerns: (check one or more)

  • Problems with little or no interest in sex

  • Problems with erection

  • Problems ejaculating too early during sexual activity

  • Problems taking too long, or not being able to ejaculate or have orgasm

  • Problems with pain during sex

  • Problems with penile curvature during erection

  • Other

• Which problem is most bothersome

• (Circle) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7