To review the prevalence of sexual concerns and the relevance of this area to psychiatrists and to present evidence supporting the need for psychiatrists to routinely include a sex-function inquiry in the assessment of their patients.
Method:
A review of the recent literature was undertaken.
Conclusions:
Sex is a fundamental quality-of-life issue. Sexual problems are extremely prevalent among the general population and even more so among persons with psychiatric or medical illness. There are at least 9 reasons why all physicians, perhaps psychiatrists especially, should make inquiry into sexual behaviours and response a routine part of caring for each patient.
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