Introduction

Erectile dysfunction (ED) happens when a man struggles to get or keep an erection firm enough for sexual activity. This condition can result from issues with nerves, blood flow, hormones, or mental health. ED is common, especially as men age, with about 37% of men aged 70–75 experiencing it.

Introduction

Sexual motivation involves the brain’s emotional, thinking, and movement systems working together to drive actions like approaching or initiating sexual activity. Sexual arousal and lying can affect brain activity, which can be measured through motor-evoked potentials (MEPs). MEPs are signals recorded from muscles when specific brain areas, like the motor cortex, are stimulated using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), which uses electromagnetic pulses to temporarily activate parts of the brain.

Introduction

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common issue after prostate surgery, known as radical prostatectomy (RP), with rates varying widely between 10% and 87%. This range is due to factors like patient age, differing definitions of ED, and sometimes overly positive self-reports. ED after RP significantly impacts quality of life and can contribute to depression, as it affects men’s sense of self and masculinity.

Introduction

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends using patient-reported outcomes (PROs) to evaluate treatments for low sexual interest and arousal in women. PROs are questionnaires that measure symptoms and treatment effects based on what participants report. The FDA suggests recording these frequently to avoid inaccuracies due to memory issues. Shorter recall periods, like 24-hour diaries, may capture more accurate details but can become tiring for participants, reducing their willingness to complete the study. Longer recall periods, such as monthly reports, are easier to complete but one’s memory of their experience may be influenced by unrelated events or recent experiences.

Introduction

Gender incongruence (GI) occurs when a person’s gender identity doesn’t match the gender they were assigned at birth, sometimes leading to significant mental health challenges like anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts. These issues often stem from both the internal conflict of gender misalignment and external pressures such as stigma and hiding one’s true identity.

Introduction

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are very common, especially among women, with up to 60% experiencing one at some point. About 25% of these women will have recurrent UTIs (rUTIs), which negatively affect their quality of life, social relationships, sexual relationships, and self-esteem, causing issues like irritability and tiredness. Women with rUTIs often experience sexual problems, such as pain during intercourse, anxiety or fear about getting another UTI, and lubrication issues.

Introduction

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is the ongoing inability to get or keep an erection firm enough for sex. It affects up to 47% of men and becomes more common with age, increasing from 5% in men in their 40s to 15% in their 70s. Factors like high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, alcohol use, obesity, and abnormal cholesterol levels contribute to ED and also to heart disease. Both conditions involve problems with blood vessels, making ED a potential early warning sign for heart disease.

Introduction

As people live longer, the global population of older adults is increasing rapidly. In 2019, there were 703 million individuals aged 65 and older, a number expected to double by 2050. Promoting health and well-being for this age group is a public health priority.

Introduction

Hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) is a medical condition that affects many women, causing low libido and distress. It has been established that low levels of testosterone can cause low libido in men, and testosterone therapy (TTh) can be an effective treatment option. Testosterone therapy has also shown promise in treating HSDD in women, especially postmenopausal women, improving sexual function and satisfaction.

Introduction

In recent years, there has been a rise in referrals for gender incongruence assessment globally, including in Denmark. Estimating the transgender and gender-diverse population remains challenging, with estimates ranging from 0.02% to 4.5% of the adult population. Individuals experiencing gender incongruence often face psychological vulnerabilities, including depression, anxiety, and increased risk of suicide attempts, alongside reduced quality of life and higher rates of substance abuse.

Introduction

Peyronie’s disease (PD) is a condition that involves plaques forming under the skin of the penis, causing penile abnormalities like indentations or curvature. While most often people with PD experience curvature that is upward or to one side, sometimes individuals have a ventral or downward curvature.

Introduction

An inflatable penile prosthesis (IPP) is a medical device used to treat erectile dysfunction. It is surgically implanted in the penis to help men achieve and maintain an erection suitable for sexual activity.