Sex talks—experiences with and barriers to communication about sexuality with healthcare staff among patients with anxiety disorder in Denmark
Authors: Hald Gert Martin , Arendt Mikkel , Pavan Silvia , Heymann-Szlachcinska Agnieszka , Øllgaard Mette , Winding Clas , Dilling-Hansen Dorrit , Kruse Selma Lind , Frøslev Mette , Larsen Hanne , Andersen Pia Aaron Skovby , Straarup Nanna Scherfig , Strizzi Jenna Marie 
Published: September 2024

Background

Previous research among diverse patient populations suggests that healthcare staff routinely do not talk about sexuality with their patients even when such talks are highly indicated and relevant.

Aim

In this study we sought to investigate how patients at outpatient anxiety clinics in Denmark experience sexual communication with healthcare staff and what barriers they encounter in this connection.

Methods

We employed a survey design from January 1, 2018, to June 30, 2019. In collaboration with 11 outpatient anxiety clinics in Denmark, patients with a primary diagnosis of panic disorder, social phobia, generalized anxiety, or obsessive-compulsive disorder were invited to participate in the study. The final sample included 272 patients. Survey questions were related to sociodemographic characteristics, sexual activity and dysfunctions, pharmacological treatment adherence, anxiety and depression symptoms, and experience with and barriers to sexual communication. For each participant, clinicians at the clinics provided the International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision, diagnostic codes, medications, and dosage. Study inclusion criteria were not having an organic disorder that may cause anxiety, not having a previous diagnosis of bipolar affective disorder or schizophrenia, and the ability to speak and read Danish.

Outcomes

Outcomes included patients’ experiences with and barriers to sexual communication with healthcare staff.

Results

In total, 61% of the patients in this sample group found it relevant to talk to healthcare staff about sexuality but only 28% of the study patients had done so, of whom 83% reported this communication to be a positive experience. The most frequently reported patient barriers to communication with healthcare professionals regarding sexual concerns were a belief that if sexual matters were relevant, the healthcare staff would bring it up (94%), fear of transgressing their own boundaries (94%), embarrassment (92%), and lack of knowledge as to how to start a conversation about sex (91%).

Clinical implications

The study results indicated a need for healthcare staff to routinely map out and address sexual matters in their clinical work with anxiety patients while bearing in mind the common patient barriers for this topic.

Strengths and Limitations

This study included a large clinical outpatient sample of anxiety patients and an extensive survey. However, the results may not be generalizable across all anxiety patients or patients in general.

Conclusion

The results of this study strongly indicate that a majority of anxiety patients find it both relevant and beneficial to discuss sexual matters with healthcare staff in connection with their anxiety treatment, and therefore healthcare staff should be educated and equipped to routinely address these matters while bearing in mind the most common patient barriers for conversations about sexuality.