Buprenorphine and Methadone Maintenance Treatment - Sexual Behaviour and Dysfunction Prevalence

Buprenorphine maintenance treatment has become a major intervention in the care and treatment of drug dependence in Europe. Still little is known about sexual behaviour and sexual dysfunction especially under buprenorphine or methadone maintenance treatment. Our study aimed to evaluate patterns of sexual behaviour and dysfunction prevalence within buprenorphine and methadone maintenance treatment. Significant differences between both groups could be observed regarding sexual excitation disturbances and ability to orgasm. 33.3% of the methadone-maintained group showed significantly higher sexual excitation disturbances (p = 0.006). Future studies of sexual dysfunction in opioid-treated persons should examine the potential benefits of dose reduction, androgen replacement, and choice of opioid.