Abstract
Sociocultural influence on sexual behavior is beyond doubt. It is difficult to attribute the wide range of different sexual behaviors in different societies to constitutional predisposition only. This study represents an open longitudinal prospective to collect sociodemographics as well as relevant medical data from all patients, attending a psychiatric clinic in a general psychiatric hospital, complaining of psychogenic sexual dysfunctions in a period of one year. Patients were selected only if organic causes for their dysfunctions were excluded and positive psychogenic factors were identified. A total of 38 male and 5 female patients were seen during this period. Twenty-five males had erectile disorder and the remaining 13 had premature ejaculation. Among the females, 2 had vaginismus and 3 had dyspareunia. Eighty-eight percent of the male patients were younger than 40 years and married for less than 5 years. The premature ejaculators were relatively older than the impotents (85% older than 40 years). The high social significance attached to male sexual potency, which is fundamental in preservation of the dominant image of males in these societies, is believed to be the main reason for the high frequency of erectile disorder among young couples who are relatively newly married. Low female ratio and the somatic nature of their symptoms are thought to be due to the restrictive upbringing and the passive role expected of women. In light of these findings, the implications of sexual anxiety during adolescence and early puberty will be highlighted.