Sexuality for people with schizophrenia is still an area under research. Healthcare experts are aiming to understand psychotic disorders in relation to sexuality alongside a greater understanding of mental health disorders.

Research finds sexual dysfunction may be common in people with schizophrenia. This may include:

  • hypersexuality, which is an inability to control intense sexual urges, arousal, and behavior
  • low rates of sexual satisfaction
  • impairments in sexual interest
  • orgasm dysfunction
  • erectile dysfunction

A 2022 studyTrusted Source states that sexual health in those with schizophrenia may be dysfunctional. The authors stated that those ages 15 to 24 years experiencing schizophrenia-related psychosis for the first time are more likely to engage in high risk sexual behavior.

A 2023 studyTrusted Source states that antipsychotics, the first-line treatment for schizophrenia, could be a source of diverse sexuality and sexual dysfunction in those with the condition.

Women with schizophrenia may also experience low levels of sexual satisfaction and high levels of sexual dysfunction. They also may face more sexually adverse situations, for example, contracting sexual infections such as HIV, having unintended pregnancies, and being at risk of sexual violence.

This may be due to the symptoms of the condition, including:

  • changes in thought and behavior that may affect decision making
  • issues with memory, social situations, and information processing
  • experiencing hallucinations such as voices that may cause a person to take particular actions
  • confused thinking that may make a person feel others are controlling them

Treating sexual dysfunction in those with schizophrenia can help improve sexual health. Treatments can include addressing medication side effects, such as the increase of prolactin in the body that can affect sexual health, and medications that treat mood disorders, such as aripiprazole.