Introduction: Schizophrenic patients reveal sexual dysfunctions at the onset of the disorder but more profound in chronicity, after long term antipsychotic treatment. These dysfunctions may be attributed to the disease itself, to several psychosocial factors and to the treatment. Objectives: Various aspects of sexuality of chronic schizophrenic patients are evaluated. Antipsychotics are analyzed regarding the sexual adverse effects. The prepsychotic and early phases of schizophrenia, the cronicity have a hallmark in the field of sexuality: mechanic masturbation, lack of sexual interest. Methods: 30 chronic schizophrenic patients and 30 drug naïve first episode schizophrenia patients were assessed by: PANSS, GAF, UKU sexual side effects component, WHOQOL-BREF. Results: The major disturbances of the sexuality of schizophrenics are: the quantitative and qualitative disorders regarding the sexual appetence, sexual practices due to the illness itself; sexual dysfunctions due to the antpsychotic medication. Even novel antipsychotics are responsible for amenorrhea, false-positive pregnancy tests, galactorhea, engorgement of breasts, weight gain, being the major source of noncompliance. Conclusion: We can assume that the sexuality of schizophrenics alters both qualitative through regression to mechanic masturbation and quantitative (sexual apathy, anhedonia). The range of sexual side effects of novel antipsychotics is less than those produced by neuroleptics. This fact could contribute to the long term acceptance of and adherence to antipsychotic medication of sexually active persons suffering from schizophrenia.
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