Psychobiological Correlates of Extramarital Affairs and Differences Between Stable and Occasional Infidelity Among Men with Sexual Dysfunctions

Abstract

Introduction The relationship between extramarital affairs and male sexual dysfunctions (SDs) has not been completely clarified. Aim The aim of the present study is to describe how the reported presence of extramarital affairs vs. no report differentiates men attending medical care for SDs. Methods A nonselected series of 2,592 heterosexual (mean age 55 ± 12.5 years) male patients with SD was studied with Structured Interview on Erectile Dysfunction (SIEDY). Furthermore, a complete physical examination and a series of biochemical, hormonal, and penile vascular evaluations were performed. Main Outcome Measures Several hormonal, biochemical, and instrumental parameters were investigated along with items derived from SIEDY. Results Infidelity is associated with relational problems within the primary couple, particularly in those with a stable secondary relationship. Furthermore, a higher androgenization is present in men with infidelity. Patients with SD reporting extramarital affairs had higher stress at work, a longer primary relationship span, and higher risk of conflicts within the primal couple and within the family. In addition, infidel men showed a higher risk of partner’s illness and partner’s hypoactive sexual desire. Among organic factors, a lower prevalence of hypogonadism was observed in infidel men. These subjects showed a better sexual function than the rest of the sample. In addition, they reported a higher intercourse frequency in the previous 3 months (considering both the primary and secondary relationship), a lower prevalence of hypoactive sexual desire (HSD), and a lower feeling of discomfort or guilt about autoerotism. Finally, when SIEDY scales were considered, SIEDY Scale 2 (relational domain) and Scale 3 (intrapsychic domain) scores were significantly higher in infidel subjects when compared with the rest of the sample. Conclusions Infidelity is associated with relational problems within the primary couple, particularly in those with a stable secondary relationship. Furthermore, a higher androgenization is present in men who commit infidelity.

Testosterone Is Associated with Erectile Dysfunction: A Cross-Sectional Study in Chinese Men

“…gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS)] with improved accuracy and precision in serum testosterone measurements has been recommended in studies of male sexual function [44], serum testosterone in the present study was measured with electrochemiluminescence immunoassay [31], [32]. TT levels were quite high in our population, and we have limited information on the causes of these unexpectedly high TT levels, which were probably due to other sexual behaviors rather than ED [42], such as increased frequency of autoeroticism or masturbation [45], and high prevalence of extramarital affairs [46].…”

The influence of male voice pitch on women's perceptions of relationship investment

“…Our findings that women perceive relatively more feminine male voices as more likely to invest time and effort into their relationships and be more financially generous with their romantic partner indicates that women may be using testosterone-dependent traits to assess multiple aspects of mate quality. Testosterone is inversely related to both voice pitch (DABBS and MALLINGER 1999;EVANS, NEAVE, WAKELIN and HAMILTON 2008;HOLLIEN 1960) and propensity for relationship and parental investment (BOOTH and DABBS 1993;CALDWELL HOOPER et al 2011;FISHER et al 2009;GRAY et al 2007;RONEY et al 2006; VAN ANDERS et al 2007). Indeed, women perceive men with low-pitched voices as less likely to be faithful to their romantic partner than men with higher-pitched voices (O'CONNOR, RE and FEINBERG 2011).…”

“…Men with relatively high testosterone levels report sustained interest in sex beyond their current committed relationship (MCINTYRE et al 2006), a greater number of sex partners (PETERS, SIMMONS and RHODES 2008), and a higher number of extramarital affairs (FISHER et al 2009). Men with relatively lower levels of testosterone are more likely to currently be in a long-term committed relationship than are men with relatively higher levels of testosterone ( VAN ANDERS and GOLDEY 2010).…”

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor-Induced Sexual Dysfunction

“…Patients were asked to complete the MHQ, modified [25], a brief self‐reported questionnaire for the screening of symptoms of mental disorders in a non‐psychiatric setting, which provides scores for free‐floating anxiety (MHQ‐A), phobic anxiety (MHQ‐P), obsessive‐compulsive traits and symptoms (MHQ‐O), somatization (MHQ‐S), and depressive symptoms (MHQ‐D). The total score of MHQ (Σ MHQ = sum of scores for MHQ‐A, MHQ‐P, MHQ‐O, MHQ‐S, and MHQ‐D) provides an index of mood and anxious spectrum psychopathology [8,25,28].…”