Effects of methadone maintenance therapy onsexual function indrugdependent men

authors:

avatar Afshin Ahmadvand , avatar Zahra Sepehrmanesh , * , avatar Rezvan Saei , avatar SeyedGholamAbass Moosavi


how to cite: Ahmadvand A, Sepehrmanesh Z, Saei R, Moosavi S. Effects of methadone maintenance therapy onsexual function indrugdependent men. koomesh. 2024;17(4):e151170. 

Abstract

Introduction: Sexual dysfunction is a common problem among substance abusers. This study investigates the effect of methadone maintenance therapy on men sexual function. Materials and Methods: In this semi- experimental study, 30 men who received methadone were selected by convenient sampling method and monitored for 3 months. Glombock Rust Inventory state and demographic characteristics questionnaires were used for evaluation of patients. The assessment of patient’s sexual function was performed before and after methadone therapy. Results: The mean of global sexual function scores before methadone therapy was 6.1±2/2 and after 6.9±2/3 (P=0.1). Also the mean of subscales impotence, premature ejaculation, non-sensuality, avoidance and non-communication were not significant before and after methadone therapy. While, the mean of dissatisfaction and infrequency subscales showed significant differences before and after methadone (P=0.03, P=0.0001).In this study the relation between age and duration of substance abuse with sexual function was significant (P=0.0001, P=0.02) but the relation between other demographic variables with sexual dysfunction was not significant. Conclusion: These findings showed that methadone has been increased sexual dysfunction in some parts of sexual function. Therefore, patients should be screened for sexual dysfunction at the onset of opioid replacement treatment and also they should be introduced for suitable treatment for prevention of the severity of disorders and improvement of quality of marital relationship

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