Petri highlights lack of sexual health discussions in Finnish healthcare system

For nine years, Petri, 41, could only achieve an erection with the help of erectile dysfunction medication. About a year ago, he discovered that the cause of his issues was a mood stabilizer he had been prescribed. After switching to another medication, his natural ability to achieve an erection returned. Petri reports that when the psychiatrist prescribed the medication, he did not mention its potential side effects. He also found that neither his pharmacy, therapist, nor his general practitioner discussed the medication’s impact on erectile dysfunction.

The lack of routine sexual health conversations in patient care is highlighted in a recent dissertation from the University of Turku. A similar study conducted in 2012 at the University of Tampere noted the effects of cancer treatments on sexual health. Two experienced doctors interviewed believe that addressing sexual health in patient care requires significant improvement.

Essi Rissanen, a workplace health physician, emphasizes the need to discuss sexuality and sexual health with patients just as openly as any other health-related topics, such as diet or exercise. Surprisingly, many healthcare professionals still avoid these discussions.

Riitta Rönkä, a urologist with 30 years of experience, confirms that it is common for doctors not to inform patients about side effects affecting sexual function when prescribing medications. Patients often feel ignored in discussions about their sexual health, leading to misunderstandings about their conditions.

Many health issues affecting sexual function can be easily treated. Both Rönkä and Rissanen advocate for more open dialogue regarding sexual health between patients and healthcare professionals. This communication could significantly impact patients’ lives, relationships, and overall well-being. Petri expressed frustration over feeling overlooked, stating that erectile dysfunction severely impacted his social life and ability to form romantic connections over nearly a decade due to a medication side effect that was never considered important.