Psoriasis and Male Sexuality

Since sexual satisfaction is a key factor in quality-of-life scores, the aim of this review article is to examine current knowledge concerning the impact on male sexuality of psoriasis, particularly genital psoriasis. Risk factors for sexual dysfunction, and more specifically erectile dysfunction, demonstrated to date include severity of psoriasis, genital psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, smoking, psychological disorders (anxiety-depression), cardiovascular comorbidities and side effects of psoriasis treatments. Studies evaluating the burden of genital psoriasis on male sexuality are contradictory: while the link between genital psoriasis and global sexual functioning has been clearly established in relation to question 9 of the DLQI, discrepancies exist between the scoring systems used concerning sexual satisfaction. Finally, psoriasis patients have expressed a wish to receive more care from their dermatologist in terms of their genital psoriasis and its impact on their sexual activity.