Sexual disorders are very common problems in the psychiatric patients. Many factors induce sexual dysfunction, e.g. the effects of antidepressants and antipsychotics. The article reviews literature on sexual disorders in psychiatric diseases such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depressive, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorders and eating disorders. Bipolar disorder significantly affects the quality of life and increases the risk of sexual dysfunction. In the manic phase there is an increase in libido, which is associated with the risky sexual behavior. Depressive disorders are associated with reduced libido and dissatisfaction with sexual activity. Panic disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder are correlated with less frequent sexual contact. Decreased sexual desire and sexual aversion are strongly associated with anxiety disorders. The prevalence of sexual dysfunction in patients with schizophrenia is high among both those treated and untreated. Women suffering from schizophrenia have anorgasmia, decreased libido, vaginal dryness, vaginism, and dyspareunia. Men suffering from schizophrenia as the main complaints give lowering the drive of difficulty in maintaining an erection, delaying orgasm. In patients with eating disorders, libido decreases as well as sexual activity and the level of sexual satisfaction decreases. Satisfaction with sexual life is an important factor affecting the quality of life. Patients rarely deal with problems in sexual life, so questions about this area of life should not be overlooked during a medical interview.
Keywords: sexual dysfunction; mental disorders.