A systematic review examining alcohol dependence and sexual dysfunction across genders

Abstract

This systematic review examines the impact of alcohol dependence on sexual function amongst cisgender men and women, intersex, transgender, and gender-nonconforming individuals. Electronic searches using PubMed, PsycInfo, Web of Science, and registered clinical trials, yielded 22 relevant studies. Research looking at alcohol dependence and sexual dysfunction in cisgender women, and even more so intersex, transgender and gender non-conforming people has received comparatively less attention than for cisgender men, with a 1:5 ratio. Consensus of the included literature indicated that alcohol dependence does impact sexual functioning, which includes erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation for cisgender men and sexual desire and orgasmic difficulties for cisgender women. With an overall general shortage of research on alcohol dependence and sexual dys/function, psychosexual services remain limited when supporting dual-diagnosed and sex and gender diverse groups.