The latest medical research on Queer Health

Sexual health communication between general practitioners (GPs) and individuals with chronic diseases is well documented as an important component of sexual well-being. However, a notable gap exists in understanding factors that contribute to sexual health communication in the endometriosis context. Endometriosis-related research has focused on the assessment of sexual functioning and its role in influencing health-related quality of life, with a limited understanding of the management of sexual well-being in primary healthcare settings.

To explore how individuals with endometriosis perceive their experiences of sexual health communication with GPs to understand the barriers and facilitators of this communication in general practice.

This study formed part of a larger online quantitative survey measuring psychological and sexual well-being in individuals with endometriosis. In total 141 participants provided responses via open-ended unlimited free-text questions focused on their experiences of sexual health communication with GPs, including their perspectives on barriers and facilitators.

Four overarching themes regarding barriers to sexual health communication were identified through thematic template analysis: (1) systemic factors; (2) practitioner factors; (3) patient factors; and (4) interpersonal factors. Facilitators mirrored strategies to address these barriers. Additionally, participants offered recommendations for developing resources to improve sexual health communication.

Individuals with endometriosis encounter various systematic, practitioner, personal, and interpersonal factors that hinder or facilitate sexual health communication in general practice. Future research should prioritize strategies to improve sexual health communication for both GPs and patients.

Although the sample is large for a qualitative study, the potential selection bias-stemming from participants' high levels of sexual dysfunction and motivation to discuss sexual health with a GP-may limit the diversity of perspectives. GP perspectives were not evaluated, precluding any assessment of the accuracy of individuals' perceptions of practitioner factors.

NCT05853822.

We aimed to compare the preferences for and effectiveness of two medical-grade penile constriction devices: Eddie by Giddy and FirmTech.

Between May and July of 2023, males were recruited via social media and prospectively enrolled into an Institutional Review Board-approved, randomized, questionnaire-based study. Upon enrollment, the participants completed the Sexual Health Inventory for Men and Androgen Deficiency in Aging Males questionnaires. Participants were randomized to which device they received first. They used the device twice either during masturbation or intercourse in a two-week timeframe. Once utilized, the participants completed a 17-question, Likert scale, device satisfaction questionnaire, in which lower numbers indicated positive responses. The process was repeated with the second device. T-test and Chi-Square Analysis were run for statistical analysis.

Fifty men were enrolled and 49 completed the study. The average age was 40 years old. Of the participants, 80% recommend the FirmTech device compared to 53% who recommend the Eddie by Giddy device (P = 0.0026). The FirmTech device was overall easier to put on both flaccid and erect (P = 0.0308 and 0.0002), was more comfortable, had better stretch, and was easier to adjust (P = 0.087, <0.0001, and 0.0119, respectively). The FirmTech device had a better overall impression amongst the participants (P = 0.0249). Eddie by Giddy was felt to improve erectile firmness more in those with ED than in those without (P = 0.0178).

The FirmTech device performed better than the Eddie by Giddy with respect to overall impression of the device, likelihood of using the device in the future, and recommending the device to a friend, while the Eddie by Giddy device performed better at improving erectile firmness.

The strength of this study is that this is a prospective randomized crossover study. The limitations of this study are that this is a single center study based on patient reported outcomes.

Genital gender-affirming surgery has become a crucial step in the transitioning process of numerous transgender people.

To highlight the consequences of genital gender-affirming surgery on pelvic floor function in transgender people.

Medical databases (PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library) were consulted according to a combination of keywords. All papers published up to February 29, 2024 were considered. Two reviewers independently screened the abstracts of the selected studies and extracted data from the full-text articles included. Data were subsequently tabulated and compared for consistency. The bias associated with each included study was evaluated according to the Observational Study Quality Evaluation (OSQE) method. This study is registered on PROSPERO number CRD42024522580.

Twenty-five papers were considered for systematic review, while 17 studies were included for meta-analysis. There was significant statistical heterogeneity across the included studies. Among transwomen who had undergone vaginoplasty, pelvic organ prolapse occurred in 1%-7.5% of patients, urinary incontinence affected up to 15% of patients, while urinary irritative symptoms up to 20%. Sexual dysfunctions were reported by 25%-75% of patients. Among transmen who underwent hysterectomy and phalloplasty, pelvic organ prolapse occurred in 3.8% of patients, urinary incontinence affected up to 50% of patients, while urinary irritative symptoms up to 37%. Finally, sexual dysfunctions were reported by 54% of patients.

Pelvic floor dysfunctions following genital gender-affirming surgery are an emerging issue. Adequate information for each surgical procedure, explicit postoperative instructions, continuity of care, communication with healthcare providers, and recommendation for tailored perioperative pelvic floor physiotherapy are necessary for a better surgical result.

This is the first systematic review and meta-analysis about pelvic floor dysfunctions in transgender people undergoing genital gender-affirming surgery. The main limitations are the limited number of studies included and their heterogeneity.

Lymphoma and cancer-related treatment can cause many complications, including sexual dysfunction, a common symptom experienced by lymphoma survivors during the disease trajectory and survivorship.

A scoping review was performed to determine the current state of knowledge about sexual dysfunction in lymphoma survivors and identify knowledge gaps and implications for future research.

PubMed, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and PsycINFO were searched to identify all primary peer-reviewed research articles published in the English language that were pertinent to sexual dysfunction in lymphoma survivors. The framework of Arksey and O'Malley and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews Checklist were used to assess and synthesize the available evidence on sexual dysfunction in lymphoma survivors.

Thirty eligible articles published from 1979 to 2023 were appraised in this review. Most of the studies (73.33%) used a cross-sectional design. Using the Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies, more than half of the publications (53.33%) achieved a C quality ranking. The reviewed studies revealed that sexual dysfunction was a prevalent symptom experienced by lymphoma survivors, with predictors such as age, gender, sex hormones, stage of disease, and types of cancer treatment.

Healthcare providers should routinely assess sexual function of survivors and provide treatment options. Psychosexual interventions should be tailored for the needs of cancer survivors. Sexual function education is essential for all oncologists and should be included in the care pathway from diagnosis until survivorship.

The reviewed studies document the problem of sexual dysfunction and offer potential areas of improvement for clinical practice. However, in the majority of the studies, longitudinal data were not obtained which could provide valuable insights on sexual functioning in lymphoma survivors.