Instruments to measure sexual dysfunction in community and psychiatric populations

Sexual dysfunction is a significant issue for many individuals. This can be the result of existing disorders, side effects of medications, or both. In order to effectively assess and, if appropriate, manage sexual dysfunction in various populations, it is important to consider the use of validated instruments that can provide a baseline to detect dysfunction and measure change over time. This review will assess the psychometric properties of scales (self-report and interview-based) that have been used in community, psychiatric, and gender-specific populations, with a particular emphasis on depressed patients before and during antidepressant therapy. Key considerations for scale selection and development are also discussed.