Single case studies in human sexuality – important or idiosyncratic?

Abstract

The single case study has been an important feature in the history of medicine. The advent of evidence-based medicine, however, now places them as the lowest and weakest of evidences and downgrades their importance. This article reviews selected aspects of human sexuality to examine whether single case studies have contributed significantly to the field or whether they are just interesting but idiosyncratic reports.

Keywords:

• orgasm
• orgasm typologies
• enzyme and receptor deficiencies
• oxytocin
• prolactin
• endorphoins
• uterine motility
• sex steroids
• nomothetic analysis
• idiographic analysis