Alexithymia and sexual/reproductive behavior: ahat are the relationships?

There is growing evidence of a close link between the non-expression of emotion and the tendency to develop somatic complaints (Bach, Bach, Böhmer, & Nutzinger, 1994; Wise & Mann, 1994; Bach & Bach, 1995; Wise & Mann, 1995). The literature shows that high or/and moderate alexithymia levels are common in patients with sexual problems (in particular in men with hypoactive desire disorder, premature ejaculation, erectile dysfunction and hypersexual behavior and in women with vaginismus and with paraphilias (Ciocca et al., 2013; Madioni & Mammana, 2001; Michetti, Rossi, Bonanno, Tiesi, ∼onelli, 2006; Michetti, Rossi, Bonanno, De Dominicis, Iori, ∼onelli, 2007; Reid, Carpenter, Spackman, &Willes, 2008; Scimeca et al., 2013; Simonelli, Bonanno, Michetti, & Rossi, 2008; Strand, Wise, Fagan, & Schmidt, 2002; Wise, Osborne, Strand, Fagan, & Schmidt, 2002). The aim of this chapter is to present a review of the literature of existing studies and the results of a recent study we have carried out to investigate the prevalence of alexithymia in female outpatients with sexual disorders, in order to evaluate the possible correlation between female sexual functioning and dysregulation of emotions. Data will be reported if available in the published articles.