SEXUAL FUNCTIONING IN AMBULATORY MEN WITH HIV AIDS/

Sexual functioning is often neglected in the care of HIV-infected pati ents. Little information exists about the relationship between hormona l factors, psychological factors, medication, HIV disease stage and se xual functioning among persons with HIV disease. In this study, 50 HIV + men completed the Derogatis Sexual Functioning Inventory (DSFI), and had serum hormonal assays drawn (testosterone, thyroid function test, leuteinizing hormone, prolactin and oestradiol). Although all the sub jects reported some degree of sexual dysfunction, persons with symptom atic HIV/AIDS reported more negative mood, lower sexual satisfaction s cores and worse body image than persons with asymptomatic HIV. Persons with asymptomatic HIV also tended to have normal testosterone levels compared with persons with symptomatic HIV/AIDS. No relationship was f ound between medications and low testosterone, although numbers were s mall. These results suggest that sexual dysfunction is prevalent among persons with HIV disease, is more common as patients become symptomat ic and progress to AIDS and that both physiological (low testosterone) and psychological issues play a role.