Interest in the assessment of sensitivity on the perineal region and the breast for the diagnosis of sexual dysfunction in women

SummaryOne of the relevant aspects which should be considered in clinical practice in sexology is the possible alteration of skin sensitivity thresholds. The loss of sensations may compromise erotic, pleasant and important feelings of the sexual functions. In order to develop standards to quantify the sensitivity changes due to clinical problems, researchers established some sets of databases for sensitivity threshold detection using several modalities on the perineal region and the breast in healthy women. Thus, these data have contributed to the accumulation of knowledge for the sexual well-being of healthy women, as well as those diagnosed, medicated or may have undergone surgeries. This article aims to present the studies and results obtained. As such, the sensory threshold data are presented and may be used in a clinical context as a comparison for different female clinical populations with metabolic or neurological ailments, spinal cord injuries, and in clinical contexts such as cosmetic surgery or reconstructive surgery for transsexuals as well.