PSYCHOSEXUAL PROBLEMS IN PEOPLE WITH HIV-INFECTION - CONTROLLED-STUDYOF GAY MEN AND MEN WITH HEMOPHILIA

HIV infection can be associated with major psychological and social di sturbance. Psychosexual problems would be expected to arise in the con text of the infection, in view of the contribution that sexual behavio ur can make to the acquisition and spread of HIV infection. Here the r esults of a study of the psychosexual consequences of HIV infection in gay men and men with haemophilia are presented, with the inclusion of data from control groups. Sixteen HIV-positive and 23 HIV-negative ga y men, and 20 HIV-positive and 24 HIV-negative men with haemophilia wi th sexual partners were studied. HIV infection was found to be associa ted with the greater risk of development of sexual dysfunction in sero positives, in particular in relation to ejaculatory difficulties, both delayed ejaculation in the case of gay men and men with haemophilia, and premature ejaculation in the case of men with haemophilia. Possibl e aetiological mechanisms are considered, including the possibility of organic disease. The findings are of relevance to those involved in t he care of people with HIV infection.