Abstract

Aim: This study aimed to examine the relationship between temporomandibular joint (TMJ) problems, sexual disorders, and depression in male and female individuals.

Materials and Methods: A total of 228 participants (116 females and 112 males) participated in the study. The level of temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD), severity of depression, and sexual function were evaluated using the Fonseca Anamnestic Index (FAI), the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF), respectively.

Results: The results revealed a statistically significant difference between the sexes, with severe TMD scores being significantly higher in females than males (p<0.05). The BDI scores for females (13.25±9.51) were observed to be higher than those for males (10.99±8.00). However, the difference did not reach statistical significance (p=0.105). We also observed a negative correlation between erectile function scores (IIEF) and both FAI (r=-0.102) and BDI (r=-0.312) in males. Similarly, a negative correlation was observed between sexual function values (SFV; IIEF, FSFI) and both FAI (r=-0.122) and BDI (r=-0.019) in females.

Conclusions: The results indicated a significant correlation between severe TMD and depression in females and males. Sexual dysfunction may also be associated with TMD and depression.

Keywords: depression, sexual dysfunction, survey, temporomandibular joint disorder

Copyright and license

Copyright © 2025 The Author(s). This is an open-access article published by Bolu İzzet Baysal Training and Research Hospital under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY) which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

How to cite

1.
Türken R, Büyük SK, Becet N, Abay F. Relationship between depression levels and sexual activity in patients with temporomandibular joint disorder. Northwestern Med J. 2025;5(2):104-11. https://doi.org/10.54307/2025.NWMJ.122

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