Psychological factors in men with genital pain

Abstract

Among 48 men with genital pain and no organic findings, psychological disorders were diagnosed frequently, including somatization disorder in 56%, nongenital chronic pain syndromes in 50%, major depression in 27%, and chemical dependency in 27%. About one third of the group were socially isolated and 18% had had an important emotional loss at the time of pain onset. Despite their mean age of 41, only half of the men were married. These data suggest that genital pain without organic findings is often related to psychological disorders, life stress, and poor social support. Treatment planning should take these factors into account.