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Boys and young men who report greater symptoms of muscle dysmorphia may also be more likely to experience a range of sexual difficulties, according to a new study examining the intersection of body image and sexual health.

Researchers analyzed data from 1,116 sexually active boys and men ages 15 to 35 in Canada and the United States. Greater muscle dysmorphia symptoms were associated with seven of the eight sexual difficulties examined, including anxiety during sex, lack of sexual interest or enjoyment, lack of arousal, difficulty reaching climax, physical pain during sex and difficulty getting or maintaining an erection.

The findings suggest that sexual health may be an important but often overlooked component of care for boys and men experiencing significant muscularity and body-image concerns. The paper is published in the journal Body Image.

"Muscle dysmorphia is often understood in terms of body dissatisfaction, compulsive exercise or the pursuit of muscularity, but our findings suggest that its impacts may extend into intimate and sexual experiences as well," said Kyle T. Ganson, Ph.D., MSW, lead author of the study and associate professor at the University of Toronto's Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work. "Sexual health should be part of the conversation when clinicians are assessing boys and men with significant muscle dysmorphia symptoms."

Muscle dysmorphia is characterized by an intense preoccupation with muscularity, significant dissatisfaction with one's body or muscularity, and impairment in social, psychological or everyday functioning.

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