This study investigated sexual functioning with respect to differences in the Dark Triad traits in a large community sample (N = 1116). The participants completed an online survey examining dark traits (Machiavellianism, narcissism, and psychopathy domains: boldness, meanness and disinhibition) and measures of sexual functioning. The Dark Triad traits were positively associated with sexual preoccupation in both sexes. Compared to the participants lower in dark traits, those with higher narcissism and boldness reported higher sexual motivation, sexual self-esteem and sexual assertiveness and lower negative emotions in the sexual context, which can be interpreted as higher quality of their sexual experience. In turn, those higher in Machiavellianism and disinhibition reported higher sexual fear and anxiety; women additionally showed lower sexual self-esteem and/or sexual assertiveness. Boldness was the only dark trait positively related to sexual satisfaction, especially in men.

Introduction

The Dark Triad (DT; Paulhus & Williams, 2002) describes three distinct but interrelated personality traits: Machiavellianism (characterized by manipulativeness and selfishness), narcissism (superiority, vanity and entitlement) and psychopathy (impulsiveness, callousness and interpersonal antagonism) associated with many types of negative psychosocial outcomes. From an evolutionary perspective, the DT may be treated as personality background for a socially aversive, exploitative and aggressive interpersonal strategy, which enables achieving personal goals at the expense of others. This strategy is considered to be evolutionary adaptive, it persists (though it is socially undesirable) because it brings some evolutionary benefits (Jonason, Li, Webster, & Schmitt, 2009). However, this strategy also generates some important costs for individuals who use it (Jonason, Li, & Buss, 2010; Jonason, Li, & Czarna, 2013). In this study we explore these costs and benefits in the sphere of sexuality and in relation to particular DT personality traits. Within an evolutionary approach, life history (LH) theory constitutes valuable analytical framework to investigate the DT (Jonason, Zeigler-Hill, & Hashmani, 2018). According to this theory, the DT can predispose an individual to “fast” LH strategy, which manifests itself, among others, in short-term mating orientation (Jonason, Luevano, & Adams, 2012; Koladich & Atkinson, 2016). In turn, “slow” LH strategy, associated with long-term mating orientation, seems to be less attractive to individuals with higher levels of the DT, as they are characterized by low empathy, emotional deficits, manipulativeness and egocentrism. Many studies have investigated the associations between the DT and “fast” LH strategy, including short-term mating orientation.

1- Introduction

2- Materials and methods

3- Results

4- Discussion

References

Abstract

Introduction
Prophylactic bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (BSO) is recommended at an early age to BRCA mutation carriers to prevent ovarian cancer. It is critical to evaluate the impact of BSO on non-cancer outcomes, including quality of life (QOL), menopausal symptoms and sexual functioning.
Methods BRCA mutation carriers who elected to undergo a BSO completed three questionnaires prior to surgery and then again approximately one and three years following surgery which included: 1) medical history questionnaire, 2) Menopause-Specific Quality of Life Intervention questionnaire and 3) Sexual Activity Questionnaire. The change in quality of life, menopausal symptoms and sexual functioning before and after oophorectomy was determined using a paired t-test and stratified by menopausal status at surgery.
Results We included 140 BRCA mutation carriers with an average follow-up of 3.5 years following BSO. Among 93 women who were premenopausal, oophorectomy was associated with an increase in menopausal symptoms (vasomotor, physical) (P < 0.001) and a decline in sexual functioning (discomfort, pleasure) (P ≤ 0.0001), but had no impact on overall QOL (P = 0.31). HRT mitigated, but did not eliminate the adverse effects. Women who were postmenopausal at surgery (n = 47) experienced an increase in physical symptoms (P = 0.03) and a decline in sexual functioning (discomfort) (P = 0.004) and in overall QOL (P = 0.04).
Conclusions This study demonstrates that 3.5 years after oophorectomy, BRCA mutation carriers experience a significant worsening of menopausal symptoms and a decline in sexual functioning, particularly among those who underwent surgery prior to natural menopause. The use of HRT mitigated some but not all the effects. Overall, women who were premenopausal at surgery did not experience a decline in their QOL.

Introduction

Women with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation face a high lifetime risk of developing ovarian cancer and preventive bilateral salpingooophorectomy (BSO) (referred to as oophorectomy hereafter) is recommended prior to menopause [1]. Screening for ovarian cancer in highrisk women has not been shown to be reliable and currently surgical risk reduction is the most effective option [2]. Oophorectomy is currently recommended between the ages of 35 and 40 for BRCA1 mutation carriers and between 40 and 45 for BRCA2 mutation carriers [1,3]. Oophorectomy reduces the risk of developing ovarian cancer as well as all-cause mortality [4]. Despite the well-established reduction in cancer risk, oophorectomy induces surgical menopause and its associated risks and sequelae. The abrupt decline in circulating sex hormones (e.g., estrogen, testosterone, and progesterone) causes menopausal symptoms, including vasomotor symptoms and loss of libido, and is associated with a decline in cardiac and bone health, and perhaps in memory and attention [5–7]. This may be most apparent among those women who undergo surgery prior to natural menopause. Many of the side effects can be ameliorated by hormonal replacement therapy (HRT), but for women with a personal history of breast cancer, exogenous hormones are contraindicated due to fear of recurrence [8]. To date, there have been few prospective studies among women with a BRCA mutation who represent a unique population given their high rate of surgical menopause [reviewed in [9,10]]. Women undergoing preventive surgery experience reduced cancerspecific distress and a sustained level of overall quality of life [10].

Erection is a complex phenomenon which implies a delicate and coordinated equilibrium among the neurological, vascular, and the tissue compartments. Many clinical factors (e.g., age, cardiovascular risk, and smoking habit) are able to impair erectile function [1]. Vitamin D is mainly involved in the regulation of calcium/phosphorus homeostasis and bone health. However, animal and human studies also suggest an involvement of vitamin D in the pathogenesis of several endocrine diseases [2–4]. In fact, vitamin D may have a role also in type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus, Addison’s disease, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, Graves’ disease, and polycystic ovary syndrome [2–4]. Some evidence also suggests a possible role for vitamin D in the regulation of sexual function. In particular, recent clinical works have suggested that low vitamin D levels may somehow be associated with the occurrence of sexual disturbances, especially erectile dysfunction [5–8], even if not all the studies agree on this point [9]. These results need confirmation because of their potential revolutionary approach to the treatment of sexual dysfunction. To the best of our knowledge, only three works have assessed the effect of vitamin D supplementation on sexual function, showing different results [8, 10, 11]. In view of these considerations, in this retrospective research, we performed a transversal and a longitudinal study, aimed at evaluating both the association between vitamin D and sexual dysfunction and the possible effect of vitamin D supplementation on sexual function.

2. Materials and Methods

2.1. Subjects. 114 men [age: median 64.0 (interquartile range 60.7–68.0)] who attended our andrology unit seeking medical care for sexual dysfunctions from 2003 to the present were retrospectively evaluated. Registration of patients who attended our andrology unit for sexual dysfunctions from 2003 to the present was retrospectively reviewed. The inclusion criteria were as follows: (1) absence of important systemic diseases, both previous and ongoing, apart from late-onset hypogonadism or type 2 diabetes mellitus, (2) availability of all the considered clinical and biochemical parameters, (3) sexual relationship since at least 1 year before the visit, (4) absence of previous investigation or treatment for sexual dysfunction, and (5) having carried out calcium metabolism assessment in the summer period (June–September) both at baseline and after treatment. The exclusion criteria were as follows: (1) ongoing pharmacological treatment for hypogonadism, (2) presence of endocrinological disorders other than late-onset hypogonadism or type 2 diabetes mellitus, (3) alcohol or drug dependence, and (4) psychiatric diseases.