This study was carried out to develop a Korean language version of Zung's self-rating depression scale (SDS). The subjects consisted of 173 males and 161 females drawn from various groups of the general population by a cluster of sampling methods. In order to analyze the data on depression scores, Pearson's product moment correlation coefficient method was carried .out, as well as reliability and factor analysis, by the SPSS/PC+ program. The results obtained were as follows: The mean average of the total depression scores were 40.60. 8.66 for the subjects. Thirty-seven subjects (11.1%) showed high depression scores of 50 or over. Test-retest reliability(coefficient r=0.82, p <0.001), internal consistency(coefficient r=0.84, p <0.001) were satisfactory. Factor analysis using oblique technique rotation yielded five factors. The items of confusion, indecisiveness, decreased libido, diurnal variation, and psychomotor retardation were scored higher by the subjects. The items of suicidal rumination, psychomotor agitation, constipation, irritability, and weight loss were scored lower.
Constipation ; Depression* ; Female ; Humans ; Libido ; Male ; Psychomotor Agitation ; Weight Loss

The authors studied depression, using Zung's Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) in the subjects of 3,499 male and 1,335 female college freshmen of Yeungnam University. The authors collected the reports of SDS during the periods from January to February, 1986, and applied ANOVA and t-test on depression scores in order to compare them between various psychosocial factors, and sexes. The results are as follows: There was significant difference in the mean averages of total depression scores between male and female students: male students scored 35.68+7.46, female students scored 38.93+7.26 (P<0.01). The depression scores relating to the items of indecisiveness, psychomotor retardation, decreased libido, and diurnal variation were relatively higher in both groups. One hundred and sixty-one male students (4.6%) showed seriously high degree depression scores of 50 or higher, while one-hundred and seventeen female students (8.8%) showed the same scores. Female students attending in liberal arts showed higher level of depression scores (P<0.01). There was a strong tendency toward higher depression scores in the students who were dissatisfies with their home atmosphere, college, department and familiarity of parents and those who had pessimistic views of self in the past, present or future in both groups (P<0.001).
Atmosphere ; Depression* ; Female ; Humans ; Libido ; Male ; Parents ; Psychology ; Recognition (Psychology)

BACKGROUND: Although sexuality in old women is important for the quality of life, that has been overlooked due to social indifference. Because the studies for sexuality in old women were lack in Korea, we surveyed sexuality and its influential factors in old women. METHODS: From March to July 2000, we surveyed 115 old women over 60 years with 22 items of questionnaire. Data was gathered through written responses to the questionnaire and one to one interview between doctor and subject. Statistical analysis was done with SPSS ver10.0/PC and its significance was tested by chi square(p<0.05). RESULTS: Mean age of 115 women is 64.84+/-4.54year. There are 80 cases(69.6%) that thought sexuality is important in old women. Sexuality and sexual interest get gradually decreased by aging. Marital state, age of husband, family structure, economic state, sexual interest are statistically significant as the influential factors of sexuality(p<0.05). Sexual satisfaction comes out 35.7%. Age, marital state, family structure, job, economic state, subjective health state, current medication, sexual interest are statistically signifiant as the influential factors of sexual satisfaction(p<0.05). The reasons of decreased sexuality is due to aging process(47.8%), no partner(17.4%), partner problem(14.8%), physical illness(10.4%) and decreased libido. CONCLUSION: We conclude that sexuality in old women is important. Its influential factors are marital state, age of husband, family structure, economic state, sexual interest. Age, marital state, family structure, job, economic state, subjective health state, current medication, sexual interest are statistically signifiant as the influential factors of sexual satisfaction.
Aging ; Female ; Humans ; Korea ; Libido ; Quality of Life ; Sexuality* ; Spouses ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Clinical observation which was made on 136 cases of vasectomy carried out during the first year of National Family Plan, from January to December, 1961, and follow-up study on these patients for 6 months to 1 year after the operation are as follows: 1. 94 cases (69%) of them were aged between 31 and 40, and the average age of total patients was 36.1 years. 2. Official, merchant, and farmer were their occupations in the order of frequency. 3. 47 cases (34.5%) of them had five children respectively, and 52 cases (38.2%) had three boys. 4. 55 cases (41.2%) had used some kind of contraceptive methods, and 65 cases (47%) had experienced artificial abortion. 5. 104 cases (74%) did not work on the day of operation. 6. 97 cases (8.9%) had no postoperative local discomfort. 7. 97 cases (88.9%) had no change in their working efficiency. 8. There were no changes in libido 94 (86,4%), frequency of sexual intercourse 87 (79,8%), ejaculation time 94 (86,4%), amount of semen 81 (74.3%), their orgasm 92 (85,4%), and their wives' orgasm 92 (85.4%) following the operation.
Child ; Coitus ; Contraception ; Ejaculation ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Libido ; Male ; Occupations ; Orgasm ; Semen ; Vasectomy*

Testosterone is the principal androgen in the human male. The decline of testosterone with aging was recognized to be associated with a number of symptoms and signs that reduce the quality of life and that may even have severe, debilitating consequences. Clinically, late-onset hypogonadism (LOH) is diagnosed by use of biochemical and clinical measures. Despite published guidelines and recommendations, however, uncertainty surrounds the profile of clinical symptoms as well as the biochemical threshold of diagnosis. Clinicians should be aware of these shortcomings while adhering to the guidelines. Current treatment methods are centered on restoring testosterone to mid to lower levels of young men with natural testosterone replacements. Although recent studies have highlighted possible additional benefits involving improvement of systemic disorders, the goal of treatment is to improve sexual function, while observing for adverse effects in the prostate. Overall, the problem of LOH in debilitating the quality of life and well-being is real, and by following proper guidelines with attentiveness to the results of treatment trials, testosterone replacement therapy presents a safe and effective treatment option.
Aging ; Erectile Dysfunction ; Hormone Replacement Therapy ; Humans ; Hypogonadism ; Libido ; Male ; Prostate ; Quality of Life ; Testosterone ; Uncertainty

BACKGROUND: The primary concern of a family physician is the healthcare of patients and their families, with the patient's disease itself being secondary. Family physicians should make efforts to discuss personal issues with their patients. This study examined how many patients were counseled about their private problems, especially family or sexual issues in the private clinics of Cheonan. METHODS: The subjects were the patients who visited a practice-based network from April to June in 2003. The data were collected through simple questionnaire about sociodemographic features of patients and their family and sexual problems. RESULTS: Eighty eight patients were studied for a total of 107 cases that consisted of 67 cases of family problems (62%) and 40 cases of sexual matters (38%). The common issues about family problems were `the partners' (23 cases, 21%) and `the patients` children' (29 cases, 27 %). The most frequent sexual problems were 'sexually transmitted diseases' (13 cases, 32.5%), `impotence' (7 cases, 17.5%), 'loss of libido, and unsatisfaction' (6 cases, 15.0%). Most physicians were involved in family and sexual issues with medications, and simple counseling with reassurance. Simple counseling was given for 14 cases (21.0%) for family issues and 18 cases (44.0%) for sexual issues. The patients were treated with medications in 47 cases (70.0%) for sexual and 15 cases (38.0%) for family problems. CONCLUSION: The most common issue for family problems was their partners and for sexual problems was 'sexually transmitted diseases'. Most family physicians were involved with both simple counseling and medications.
Chungcheongnam-do ; Counseling ; Delivery of Health Care ; Family Relations ; Humans ; Libido ; Physicians, Family* ; Sexual Partners

Simultaneous monitoring of penile photoelectric plethysmography, penile tumescences, penile rigidity, bulbocavernosus-ischiocavernosus EMG and EKG was attempted to investigate the age-related erectile response to short period erotic film in 50 normal males and to elucidate the range of its characteristics for the diagnosis of impotence. The results obtained were summarized as follows ; l. Variability was observed in temporal relationship between penile pulse amplitude and penile erection. Of the 45 subjects who showed erection and/or increase in penile pulse amplitude 4 categories of response could be defined : Type I was observed in 13 subjects (28.9%)-erection and increased penile pulse amplitude occurring in parallel ; Type II, in 26 subjects(57.8%)_erection with increased penile pulse amplitude during the development or decline of erection but not during maximum erection ; Type III, in 4 subjects(8. 8%)_erection with no change in penile pulse amplitude ; and Type IV, in 2 subjects (4.4 %)_increased penile pulse amplitude without any erection. These results suggest that penile erection does not exclusively depend increased penile arterial blood flow but upon the cooperative mechanisms with the action of venous blockade which corresponds flexibly to the degree of arterial blood flow. 2. Following erotic stimulation, there was tendency to delay in latency to erection with aging. However, no difference in penile tumescence and rigidity among age groups was observed. This indicates that if the subject is affected by libido owing to strong erotic stimulation, maximum erection ensues regardless of aging. 3. The fact that subjects with good erection shows enough libido and that maximum erection ensues if erection develop under strong erotic stimulation suggests visual sexual stimulation method would be useful in differentiatial diagnosis of erectile dysfunction.
Adult* ; Aging ; Diagnosis ; Electrocardiography ; Erectile Dysfunction ; Humans ; Libido ; Male ; Penile Erection ; Plethysmography

Ninety-one cases of chronic prostatitis were studied endoscopically and the results were evaluated. Endoscopic appearance of the bladder neck in the presence of chronic prostatitis was classified as 1. Normal bladder neck, 16 cases (17.5 per cent) 2. Elevated posterior urethra, 8 cases (8.7 per cent) 3. Contracture of the neck, 19 cases (20.8 per cent) 4. Diffuse, irregular swelling and narrowing of the neck, 19 cases (20.8 per cent) 5. Reversed V-neck, 2S cases (31.8 per cent) In this study it was found that the bladder neck was abnormal in 82.1 per cent of the cases. In 36 instances or 39.5 per cent. the verumontanum appeared normal but abnormal in 55 cases or 60.5 per cent. Bilateral prostatic urethral walls were inflammatory in 57 cases and unilaterally inflammatory in 6 cases. Forty-two cases (46.1 per cent) revealed elevation of the posterior urethra and the prostatic urethral floor was hyperemic and edematous in 44 cases. In 40 cases (43.9 per cent), the normal bladder mucosa was observed, trabeculation and cellulation in 43 cases and trigonal and interureteric thickening in 7 cases were also observed. Decreased libido was present in 12 instances (33.3 per cent) of 36 cases having normal verumontanum and in 25 instances (45.4 per cent) of 55 cases having abnormal one. Urinary symptoms were most frequently positive in cases with bladder neck contracture. The results of treatment using Ultzmann's urethral syringe were evaluated as follows: Complete cure was obtained in 8 cases (19.5 per cent) almost complete cure in 14 cases (34.1 per cent), improvement in 15 cases (36.5 per cent) and no remarkable change in 4 cases (9.7 per cent). Five cases had transurethral resection and four achieved almost complete cure and one improved clinically. Subjective symptoms were completely relieved in 23 cases (56.1 per dent) and more than two thirds of the previous symptoms were gone in 18 cases (43.9 per cent) after treatment. In summary. endoscopic examination on chronic prostatitis is s worthwhile and important procedure in establishing therapeutic criteria.
Contracture ; Endoscopy ; Libido ; Mucous Membrane ; Neck ; Prostatitis* ; Syringes ; Urethra ; Urinary Bladder

In contrast to previous dogma, the decline in testosterone levels in postmenopausal women is thought to be age-related and not a specific function of the menopause. In addition to normal aging, many conditions affecting ovarian and adrenal function, factors leading to increased SHBG levels can decrease androgen levels below the physiologic range in women. Clinical symptoms of female androgen deficiency include a loss of libido, lack of well-being, and persistent fatigue. However, the diagnosis of female androgen deficiency, as recently provided by the Princeton consensus statement, is under debate due to several limitations. Testosterone therapy in postmenopausal women with symptoms suggestive of androgen deficiency remains controversial. The adverse effects of testosterone therapy appear to be low in incidence, but more studies are necessary to assess long-term safety. Therefore, the decision to treat or not to treat androgen deficiency in postmenopausal women must be carefully considered on an individual basis by comprehensive evaluation of potential benefits and risks.
Aging ; Consensus ; Fatigue ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Libido ; Menopause ; Risk Assessment ; Testosterone

Clinical observation was done on 300 cases of chronic prostatitis who visited Urologic Department. Korea University Hospital during the period of 24 months from January 1, 1976 to December 31, 1977. The results are summarized as follows. 1. The age distribution was between I9 and 65, while 55 percent of total cases belonged to the age group of 20 to 29. 2. The decreased libido was complained in 3l cases (10.3%) of chronic prostatitis, among them, 22 cases be1onged to married group. while 9 cases to unmarried group. Among the married group, 17 patients including S patients who had had vasectomy previously were between the age of SO and 49.3. Asymptomatic cases were found in 4S patients (14.3%), while many others had vague symptoms such as urethral discomfort. urethral discharge. pain on urination and perineal discomfort. 4. The past history of nonspecific urethritis were found in the l58 cases (52.7%). The duration of the infection was between l month to 6 months in 84 cases (53.1%), and between 13 months to 24 months in 49 cases (3l%). 5. Urinalysis were within normal limits in 229 cases (76.3%). Microscopic examination of prostatic fluid and urine shred wag done in all cases and in 249 cases (83%) revealed the presence of infection.
Age Distribution ; Humans ; Korea ; Libido ; Prostatitis* ; Single Person ; Urethritis ; Urinalysis ; Urination ; Vasectomy