Examining the Psychometric Properties of the HBI-19 Scale in a Sample of Women with Persistent Genital Arousal Symptoms.

Persistent Genital Arousal Disorder/Genito-Pelvic Dysesthesia (PGAD/GPD) is a highly distressing, yet poorly understood health concern characterized by persistent, unwanted, and unpleasant genital arousal sensations in the absence of psychological arousal and desire. PGAD/GPD symptoms can be reduced by engaging in frequent sexual behaviors, meaning that hypersexual behavior may be present as a feature of PGAD/GPD in some cases. Given this association and the current lack of measures designed for assessment of PGAD/GPD specifically, the present study aimed to investigate the psychometric properties of the Hypersexual Behavior Inventory (HBI-19) in a sample of women with PGAD/GPD symptoms. Specifically, the factor structure of the HBI-19 was explored via Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) as well as evaluation of model fit indices and reliability indices (Cronbach's alpha). EFA revealed a two-factor structure for the HBI-19 in the sample of women with PGAD/GPD symptoms, differing from the originally validated three-factor structure. RMSEA as well as TLI values suggested poor fit for all three models examined, including the two-factor model, while SRMR suggested good fit for the two-factor and three-factor model and suggested poor fit for the one-factor models. These findings suggest measurement non-invariance at the configural level and indicate that hypersexual behavior is best understood as a possible feature of PGAD/GPD as opposed to a core element of PGAD/GPD.

Eroticization as a factor influencing erectile dysfunction treatment effectiveness.

We review both the medical and psychosocial literature on factors influencing male potency in order to better understand why erectile dysfunction (ED) treatments, PDE5 drugs in particular, are abandoned when otherwise effective. We incorporate anecdotal data from websites and list serves dedicated to helping patients deal with iatrogenic ED. Our goal is to distinguish between ED treatments that are medicalized versus eroticized, and how partner participation may influence their effectiveness. Recently it has been shown that ED treatment effectiveness is aided by the involvement of the patient's partner. This permits an erotic association between the partner and the ED 'aid'. We extend this idea to suggest that having the partner involved as early as possible in the discussion of treatment, and their presence at the time of prescription, should improve ED aid effectiveness. Eroticization of ED aids shifts the focus from a perceived disability of the patient toward the sexual pleasure provided by the partner. We further suggest that ED aids used without the partner's knowledge will undermine intimacy and ultimately the treatment's effectiveness. Unpartnered patients should be advised about the importance of informing potential partners about their use of such aids, as openness and honesty may increase intimacy in the long run.