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Sexual Function Across Aging

  • Women’s Mental Health (CN Epperson, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Women experience multiple changes in social and reproductive statuses across the life span which can affect sexual functioning. Various phases of the sexual response cycle may be impacted and can lead to sexual dysfunction. Screening for sexual problems and consideration of contributing factors such as neurobiology, reproductive life events, medical problems, medication use, and depression can help guide appropriate treatment and thereby improve the sexual functioning and quality of life of affected women. Treatment options include psychotropic medications, hormone therapy, and psychotherapy.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Virginia Department of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences, 2955 Ivy Rd, Suite 210, Charlottesville, VA, 22903, USA

    Anita H. Clayton & Veronica Harsh

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  1. Anita H. Clayton
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  2. Veronica Harsh
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Correspondence to Veronica Harsh.

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Conflict of Interest

Veronica Harsh declares that she has no conflict of interest.

Anita H. Clayton reports grants from BioSante Pharmaceuticals Inc., and Repligen Corporation. Dr. Clayton also reports personal fees and grants from Boehringer-Ingelheim, BristolMyersSquibb, Eli Lilly and Company, Forest Research Institute Inc., Palatin Technologies Inc., Sanofi-Aventis, Takeda Global Research and Development, and Trimel Pharmaceuticals. She also reports personal fees from Astra-Zeneca, Euthymics, Lundbeck, S1Biopharmaceuticals Inc., Sprout Pharmaceuticals, Arbor Scientia, Euthymics, Naurex, Otsuka, and Roche.

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This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Women’s Mental Health

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Clayton, A.H., Harsh, V. Sexual Function Across Aging. Curr Psychiatry Rep 18, 28 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-016-0661-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-016-0661-x

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