A Study of Sexual Dysfunction among Male Alcohol Dependent Patients.

Introduction: Drinking alcohol is a socially accepted one and thought to Provide relaxation and pleasure. Some people consume alcohol without Experiencing any harmful effects. The common reasons for alcohol Consumption are pleasure, relaxation, mood change, to increase creativity, Intoxication, addiction, forgetting sorrows or for thirst-quenching. But, a Significant proportion of people experience physical, psychological and Social adverse effects of alcohol. It is clear, however, that as the average Daily consumption of alcohol consumed and frequency of intoxication Increase, so does the incidence of physical and psychosocial problems. The medical complications due to alcohol are a consequence of its toxic And ability to cause dependence. Alcohol dependence syndrome is one of the most common and Most researched illness among psychiatric disorders. In India Epidemiological studies have shown a prevalence rate of 16-50% for Alcoholism. Excessive and chronic consumption of alcohol increases the Risk of psychiatric disorders like depression, anxiety, psychosis, Dependence syndrome, memory disturbance and an increased risk of Suicide. Both acute and chronic heavy consumption can contribute to a Wide range of social problems including domestic violence and marital Problems, child abuse and neglect, absenteeism and job loss. The relationship between alcohol consumption and sexual Dysfunction is complex. Most persons prefer alcohol before sexual Activity due to its disinhibiting property and alcohol is believed to be a Powerful sexual facilitator and aphrodisiac. Alcohol has been considered As a risk factor for sexual dysfunctions in several textbooks, review Articles or in clinical teaching. Possible mechanisms that leads to sexual Dysfunction in alcoholics includes: altered metabolism of testosterone, Hepatic dysfunction ,alteration of HPG axis function, direct depressant Effect of alcohol, neurotoxic effect, interpersonal factors due to alcohol Consumption Chronic alcohol abuse is a well known factor, which induce Sexual dysfunction, which leads to marked distress and interpersonal Problems between partners. This, in turn worsens the alcohol abuse as a Vicious cycle. Chronic alcohol consumption has systemic effects that can Lead to changes in sexual function. These changes persist even after Alcohol has been completely removed from system. In some cases sexual Dysfunction may be due to reversible vagal neuropathy, and the Dysfunction may be reversed with abstinence. DSM-IV has a separate entity as substance induced sexual Dysfunction. It specified that the sexual dysfunction should develop During or within a month of withdrawal of alcohol, which should be Enough to produce significant distress and interpersonal problems. The Substance of interest should be etiologically related to the sexual Disturbance. It also mentioned that the sexual dysfunction is not better Accounted for any other substances or medication or psychiatric, medical Illness. The specification includes with impaired desire, impaired arousal, Impaired orgasm, and with sexual pain. It also mentioned the following Sexual dysfunctions in men (302) which are the main concern of our Study which includes: Hypoactive sexual desire disorder Male erectile disorder Male orgasmic disorder Premature ejaculation Sexual aversion disorde