Some information about me to begin

My name is Elena Vittoria Longhi, Im psychologist, sexologist with more than 20 year of experience on male and female sexual dysfunction.

I’ve been working in the Urology Department at San Raffaele Scientific Institute in Milan, Italy, (Head physician, Prof. F. Montorsi) and I’m dealing with psychologic and sexologic support to urologic and andrologic patients.

Previously I worked in the Urology Department at Humanitas Scientific Institute in Milan, Italy (Head physician, Prof. G. Guazzoni).

My main skills are the psychologic support to oncologic patients in their whole treatment process, as well as the treatment of any sexologic correlate issue especially after radical prostatectomy and cystectomy. Neuro-sexologic approach to urologic, oncologic and andrologic patient is my main interest.  

In my free time I play sport, especially open water swimming and gym. When will I practical diving. 

I often go to the cinema and theatre, I'm interested in art up to the early ' 900

I have a two year old maltese dog named (King) Arthur. I like traveling and walking in the mountains, especially in the summer, over 2000 meters.

In addition to the professional scientific readings, i like novels that deal with family histories

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Neuro-psychiatric Rehabilitation

1994-1995   Dragonato Psychiatric Center , Bellinzona (tutor drssa C.Meier), CH –

1992-1993    San Paolo Hospital,Pediatric and Neonatology Dep, Milan, Italy, dyrected L. Giovannini.DhPr . Pediatric and neurological disorder: the family relationship

1994-1996        Psychiatric Center, Lugano (dyrected Daguet Prof.), CH - Psychiatric and neurological disordors in patiens with diagnosis of paranoid sindrome, schizophrenia, alcoholism.

1993-1994    Psychiatric Unit USSL 71 Valenza (Al), Alessandria, Italy, dyrected   Massimo Pietrasanta Prof : family therapy in psychiatric, behavioral disorders, schizoid and impact on family.  – SERT : Unity Addiction and family therapy. Substance abuse behavioral disorders, neurological , sexological and relational rehabilitation. Relational impact on the couple and the family of behavioural disorders in the outbuildings, with brain injuries.

1995                           Polytechnic University of Turin, Department of biomechanics. Prosthesic rehabilitation after surgery, procedures and techniques neurosessuologico.  Penile prosthetic surgery, neuro-rehabilitation after orthopaedic sexological and behavioral disorders.

2008-2009 Sexual-Surgery Cardiology Director at the hospital, cardiac surgery and Cardiology Department Towers of Ancona, Ancona (Gian Piero Perna Chief), sponsored by the Italian Association for the advancement of Cardiology and the cardiac surgery O.N.L.U.S. Sez. Brands. T

LECTURES

1994-1997             Teacher at the "Centro Milanese di Terapia della Famiglia", a partnership with the University of Milan–directed by Prof. Luigi Boscolo and Gianfranco Cecchin. Teacher in the 3rd and 4th year of residency in the hospital and in rehabilitation after surgery clinic. Neurological rehabilitation in the context of the systemic approach and relational-emotional impact on the family

Since 2000 Teacher at the International Institute for Sexology (Chairman Prof. w. Pasini) in Florence in Clinical Sexology oncological, neurological, psychiatric issues applied, clinical and cardiological hospital. Neurological rehabilitation and sexuality in patients with neurological lesions, spinal cord injury. Fix sexual and neurological development of adolescents and adults with autism, Williams syndrome.

Since 2000 the Chair of Urology IRCC San RAFFAELE, University Life and health. Milan with six-monthly educational seminars on interview techniques Andro-sexological treatment and rehabilitation Uro-Oncology neuro-Urologic Surgery Sexology

Since 2006 the session SEXOLOGY COORDINATOR SIA (Italian society of Sexology) with research protocols, teaching for Postgraduates in various Italian locations.

Since 2016 adjunct professor in Clinical Sexology at Chair of Urology and Andrology, University of medicine and pharmacy, Master in Trieste

Rehabilitative activities

1994-1996   Santa Maria Goretti Oncological Hospital, Latina, Italy,Department of medical oncology , dyrected M. d'Aprile Prof.

1994-1995        Melzo Central Hospital, Department of Gynecology and obstetrics, Terri b. Ferrante, chief resident. Free Professional advice in rehabilitation counseling in surgical oncology, sexological in female sexual dysfunction and menopausal disorders.

1996-1997    University Vita & Salute, San Raffaele hospital, Department of Clinical Oncology, Rome, directed by Cora Sternberg Chief.

Since 1997      Pius XI clinic in Rome, Urological Laparoscopic and ROBOTIC Surgery Center, directed by Vito Pansadoro Chief: neuro-urological and sexological Rehabilitation afhter surgery 

1994-1995 University Federico II, Department of urology and nephrology surgery Endourological stone therapy, Naples. Freelance report in collaboration with D'Armiento and Iacono Chief.  Neuro-rehabilitation research protocols, setting uro-sexological to patients with prostate, kidney, bladder ca. Preparation and postoperative counseling in patients undergoing dialysis and organ transplantation.      

1998-2001   Rome American Hospital, Department of Urology, Oncology and Senology, headed by dr Antony Fiore and dr Charles Calvi Chief. Rehabilitation after surgery and breast ca/sexological psychoncological in lung, prostate, bladder ca ca.  Neurological rehabilitation in PCs with brain injuries and spinal cord to brain injury. Clinic for medium to severe neurological and psychiatric syndromes

Dal 2000      Sexual Medicine Center, Università Vita Salute San Raffaele, Milan, conducted by Professor Urology Unit, Patrizio Rigatti Chief and Francesco Montorsi, scientific director . Professional relationship in Clinical Sexology of male and female sexual dysfunction, fertility treatment, supportive care postoperative rehabilitation urosessuologica at the Division of metabolism disorders, conducted by Renzo Colombo Chief.

 2002-2004    Bolzano Central Hospital, Department of Urology, Armin Pycha Chief. Rehabilitation service for patients with bladder and prostate cancer. 

Since 2010     University Hospital of Bologna, Policlinico s. Orsola-Malpighi, Andrology Dep. directed by Fulvio Colombo Chief.

Surgery and Sexuality?

Is the marriage of Robotic surgery and sexology possible?

What does this haveto dowith the surgeon? Two pilot studies from Memorial-Sloan-Kettering cancer Center, examining psychological distress in men with prostate cancer and their partners, suggested that the partner plays an integral role in the patient's adjustment totreatment. (Copeland GP, Jones D., Walters M.Possum, Ascoringsystem forsurgical audit.Br J. Surg 1991; 78:355-360)

My study : Two homogeneous groups of 120 patients were montly administred (15 days afther surgery and for abaut one Year) some invalidated instruments: FS36-EDITS,IIEF,IPSS, SSLR,EES,MAT-R + Pharmachoterapy for ED and sexological counseling. Fullow up

The results : SEXUAL ACTIVITY was spontaneously recovered by 10% monolateral Nerve sparing and 56% bilateral nerve sparing.  ERECTILE FUNCTION 59% submitted to pharmachoterapy.

Partners Therapeutic Control: 87% of partners collaborated afther Robotic Surgery. Depression level (90-120 days afhter surgery) 48% of the patients Loss of self-esteem in patients withe sexual problem prior the surgery: 51%. Couple conflict in patients with urological and sexological problems: 23% Patner's depression afther surgery: 38% Loss of male body identity: 34%. Patient's partner desertion: 1%.

Robotic surgery provides the Protocol of my study: taking charge, 15 days after surgery, the onset of pelvic floor rehabilitation, Surgery and rehabilitation sexological's visit.

The sexologist not only erectile rework and sexuality with your partner. Shares with the patient and partner neurovegetative changes in stress afther surgery.

It is true that patients lie to your doctor? A recent study by the Department of Psychiatry of Arkansas reports that 59% of the patients mind at their Specialist especially when it comes to obesity or sexual disorders. The 78% does not abandon the specialist even if cures are ineffective, the 4% does not employ the therapies and the 68% hoped that the specialist ask of sexuality ... Why so much reticence? www.elonghi.it.

Many erectile dysfunction in men between 30 and 45 years depend on pornographic video dependency. Passive viewing of footage exciting and gradually increasing the perception of pleasure, changes over time in the central nervous system. Therefore, in relation to two, the partner has an extremely short excitation time and mostly level exclusively. The partners presented low participation of the other and a too rapid and poorly lasting sexual response. Andrologist more experienced in these cases requires a consultation sexological and hence an empathic therapeutic contract and high achievement. www.elonghi.it

Communication with the patient is an art, a style that depends on the personality of the physician and affecting more than 60% of therapeutic compliance. A severe diagnosis can be shared with empathy, participation and scientific knowledge. Emotional intelligence: know = Clinic: therapeutic style. Being able to communicate is a tool to speed up treatment, to simplify the relationship with the patient and family members, as well as add value to scientific knowledge. www.elonghi.it

How to approach a patient with Orgasmic disorder with a female companion pretending the pleasure? Faking orgasm is still widespread among women, often aimed at avoiding the pleasure. It seems strange but there are people, men and women, who are afraid to be happy. Many disorders of the male and the female orgasm Cumming depend on a phobia to each inner concealed enjoyable not attained by suffering and effort. The male and female body image is as if trying to hide the taste of transgression. Consult a sex therapist can be a way to resume a "new contract" with one's own body and the sexual role. www.elonghi.it

Colorectal Cancer: often affects young patients with a quality of life that need reviewing and reinvent. Surgeons of this discipline may offer, with much tact, that life doesn't end with the newfound health. The cost for new life may not require sacrifices and limitations. In these cases the sex therapist does not concern only the resumption of intimacy, but it reflects on the changes the patient's sensitivity, body scheme, on the fear of the resumption of the disease, a second man. With a body to recognize and improve. www.elonghi.it

The Urologist (Andrologist) and Sexologist

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES - The objective of this study was to evaluate the cooperation with sexologist in daily andrological practice in order to prevent somatization of psychosexual problems and to improve patient compliance.

MATERIALS & METHODS – 116 heterosexual married couples between the ages of 30 and 48 were recuited (in a stable marriage for 3 to 15 years). 58 patients had to have been suffering from PE for at least 2 years and 58 patients had to have been suffering from DE for at least 2 years . The following questionnaires were administered in this order: International Index of Erectile Dysfunction (IIEF), the Hamilton Depression Evaluation Scale (HAM-D). Each partner was administered the following: Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), Brief Male Sexual Inventory (BMSI), Measuring Marital Satisfaction (MMS-3G), Sexual Satisfaction Scale (SSS), The Conflict Tastics Scales (CTS). Afterwards there was an individual check up interview (also using the Operationalizing Premature Ejaculation, G.Grenier et al., University of New Brunswick, 1997, Canada) and one as a couple.

RESULTS – The large proportion of female (35%) and male (10-25%) andrological patients had traumatic sexual experiences in the past; 18% patients with negative and traumatic experiences with urogenital medicine, and 23% patients with urological, sexological and/or psychiatric comorbity. Also, 8% patients with sexual and gastrointestinal comlaints.

CONCLUSIONS – In the evaluation of a sexual dysfunction it is necessary to realize that irrespective of the cause of the (erectile and ejaculatory) disfunction there always will be secondary psychological reactions that may aggravate the sexual dysfunction and/or influence coping, sexual relationships and therapeutic comliance.

INTRODUCTION – The study assessed 360 nerve sparing Radical Laparoscopic Prostatectomies followed by neurosexological rehabilitation and traditional pharmacoterapy.

MATERIAL AND METOD – Patients, recruited in three years, were monthly presented (15 days afther surgery and for about one year) some self administred validated questionnaires:SF 36,EDITS, IIEF, IPSS, SSLR, EES, CES-D, MAT-R. There followed, during the post surgical sexual rehabilitative phase. Two individual interviews with the patient, an individual interview with the sexual partner, 2-3 interviews with the couple. Pharmacoterapy for ED, following Montorsi’s protocol, was associated to neurosexological rehabilitation from second week afther surgery.  Pharmacotherapy is combined with sexual rehabilitation’s exercises. Follow up: monthly during the first year, every three months during the second year. Every six months during the third year.

RESULTS – Sexual activity was spontaneously recovered by 6% of monolateral nerve sparing patients; with the pharmacotherapy 56% of patients had erectile recovery. In bilateral nerve sparing: spontaneously recovered by 28%, that must be added to 30% of recoveries using pharmacoterapy.   78% female partners collaborated in the sexual rehabilitation. There was an additional 18% of occasional partners sexuality. Every femal partner had a terapeutic role in the relationship/seeking of a new sexuality.

CONCLUSIONS – Sexological rehabilitation has revealed a synergic and essential multidiscilinary approch in sexual activiy recovery even cases of partners opposition to the administration of pharmacoterapy for ED.

ENURESIS and PREMATURE EJACULATION

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES – We studied the correlation between Premature Ejaculation and Infantile Nocturnal Enuresis in 75 subjects, affected by non physiological PE from the first instance of sexual intercourse.

MATERIALS AND METHODS – The subjects, average age 38 with a partner of at least one jear’s standing, were administered the following: DSI-R “Differentiation of Self Inventory”, SRO “Sex-Role Orientation Scale”, IMS “Index of Marital Satisfaction”, ISS “Index of Sexual Satisfaction”, HAM-D “The Hamilton Depression Evaluetion Scale”, AMS “The Aging Male’s Symptoms Scale”.The subjects complained of secondary enuresis at schoolage with episodes varjing from 2-3 times per week for at least 1-2 years.  The first sexual intercourse ith the appearance of PE occurring between 17 and 25 years of age.

 RESULTS – The data revealed that 47% of subjects had difficulty sleeping, suffered from irritability and excessive perspiration combined with a general decline in physical ability and beard growth. 63% showed a decrease in spontaneous morning erections. An excessive dependence on the partner was exhibited by 32% while 21% earned less than the partner. 19% found sex a chore, 15% experienced difficulty making decisions in the absence of the partner, 37% were unable to feel pleasing for the partner while, 12% were inclined to do everything in a rush and 9% found it difficult to accept pleasure.

 CONCLUSIONS – The study seems to show that PE, in particularly emotional and insecure subjects, substitutes, in adult age, infantile nocturnal enuresis. It demonstrates the difficulty the subject has in controlling emotions and dealing with the beat of the female world.

Unconsumed Marriages

INTRODUCTION & OBJECTIVES: The present study investigated the aspects of the relationship and sexuality of couples in unconsummated marriages using validated questionnaires and specific counselling in order to allow partners to discover an intimacy in keeping with the communicative style of the two.

 MATERIALS & METHODS: 32 couples between the ages of 28 and 40 were (average age 34) were recruited, having been married for at least seven years and having known each other or been engaged beforehand for one to two years. Each partner was administered the following: Measuring Marital Satisfaction (MMS-3G), The Conflict Tactics Scales (CTS), Sexual Satisfaction Scale (SSS), Communication Patterns Questionnaire (CPQ),  Questionnaire for Reproductive Emotionality (QER). Afterwards there was and individual check-up interview and one as a couple. While the sexological counselling for couples finished on average after 5-8 fortnightly meetings the follow-up at the and of counselling was carried out at 6 months and 1 year.

 RESULTS: The couples were homogenous never having had sexual experiences other than with the partner. The trend is to exclude open verbal conflicts for fear of being abandoned or of assertion (more often than not physical) by the other partner. They exclude passionate erotic impulses and sensations as they are associated with violent acts. Sexual teachings and the creative aspects of sexual games is entrusted to one partner. Disagreement on times and ways of spending time together is also due to the timing and ways intimacy is desired, sought  and experienced. Mainly romantic and affectionate in the couple and erotically transgressive in autoeroticism. Both partners pursue fantasies and desires of betrayal without follow up. Very often the desire for the child pushes the couple to face the sexual problem but not always to live intimacy in and of itself.

 CONCLUSIONS: The sexological counselling to bring to life unconsummated marriages foresees a psycho-educational space were each partner is free to ask for information and redefine prejudices an fears on sexuality. The individual sexological exercise and those performed in couples, together with interviews as a couple have been a valid support in redefining in the couple emotive needs and sexual timing as well as expressing fantasies and desires. 11 couples out of 32 have had a child.Sono un paragrafo. Clicca qui per aggiungere o modificare un testo. Qui puoi raccontare ai tuoi visitatori chi sei e qual’è la tua storia.

FAMILY AND SEXUALITY

 INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES - The objective of this study was to evaluate the sexual functions during pregnancy and to retrace the emotive, relational aspects with the help of questionnaires validated at international level, psycosexual counselling and a ginecological-urological examination.

MATERIALS & METHODS – 55 women (26 in the second and 29 in the third trimesters of pregnancy within a stable relationship) between the ages of 26 and 40 were chosen in this study with their partner. Each partner was administered the following: Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), Measuring Marital Satisfaction (MMS-3G), Questionnaire for Reproductive Emotionality (QER), Communication Patterns Questionnaire (CPQ). Afterwards there was an individual check up interview and one as a couple. The scores between the first, second, and third trimesters of pregnancy was performed using Wilcoxon’s signed-rank test: differences considered at P<>

RESULTS – The frequency of intercourse attempts during the last 4 weeks was 9.6 +/- 4 before pregnancy, and 5.9 +/- 3.5, 4.6+/-3.6, 2.1+/- 1.8 in first, second, and third trimesters of pregnancy, respectively. With regard to FSFI, except for desire, arousal, lubrification and orgasm (sexual dysfunction are related to hormonal situations), were not significantly different between the first, second, third trimesters of pregnancy.

CONCLUSIONS – The frequency of intercourse attempts was significantly decreased with the increasing gestional age. Childbearing couples, the partner particularly, asked for information abaut sexual problems and fluctuations in patterns of sexuality during the pregnancy.

 INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES - The present study investigated the efects of the relationship and sexuality of couples of the impact of premature ejaculation (PE) functioning. Using validated questionnaires and specific counselling in order to allow partners to voice their feelings.

MATERIALS & METHODS – 98 heterosexual married couples between the ages of 28 and 48 were recuited (in a stable marriage for 5 to 15 years). The patients had to have been suffering from PE for at least 3 years. Each partner was administered the following: Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), Brief Male Sexual Inventory (BMSI), Measuring Marital Satisfaction (MMS-3G), Sexual Satisfaction Scale (SSS), The Conflict Tastics Scales (CTS). Afterwards there was an individual check up interview (also using the Operationalizing Premature Ejaculation, G.Grenier et al., University of New Brunswick, 1997, Canada) and one as a couple.

RESULTS – Duration of marriage was not a significant factor in the results. 76% of female partners’ estimates of ejaculatory latency were shorter than were the men’s estimates. Usually, the women perceived their male partners to ejaculate too quickly less often than was reported by the men. 65% men with PE reported lower pleasure and enjoyment associated with orgasm and 34% described differences in relationship satisfaction and 78% in the requency of intercourse. 53% reported that effective appraisals of their PE status affects their sexual functioning more generally.  13% men with PE reported DE for 1 to 2 years also.

CONCLUSIONS –PE has a negative impact on the sexual satisfaction of heterosexual couples. PE is associated with having more other non PE sexual concerns for men, but not for their female partners.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES - The purpose of this study was to track the emotional causes, neurovegetative and sexual relations, the ED young-adults with recurrent prostatitis patients for at least a year.

MATERIALS AND METHODS -Were recruited 100 patients aged between 25 and 35 years old, with at least 6 months and a fixed partner ED sex from three to six months, with a history of recurrent bacterial prostatitis surgery clinic. Were administered in the following order: International Index of Erectile Dysfunction (IIEF) Evaluation, the Hamilton Depression Scale (HAM-D). Each partner was administered the following: Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), Brief Male Sexual Inventory (BMSI), Measuring Marital Satisfaction (MMS-3 g), Sexual Satisfaction Scale (SSS), The Conflict Tastics Scales (CTS).  These were followed by an interview of control and three psicosesuologici talks.  Clinically, each patient had been prescribed an antibiotic therapy repeated over time and an oral therapy for erectile dysfunction in low dosage one day.

RESULTS. These anxious-depressive traits: HAM-D 26.8 +/-1.80 and Italian version of the CES-D 29.4 +/-1.5. In terms of self-esteem (Italian version of the RSES) is greater than the feeling of inadequacy and indefiniteness of body image (37.6 +/-8.2), alta (DSI-R) depending upon the expectations of partners (56.2 +/-1.4), as well as the rivalry towards her (34.3 +/-1.1). The IIEF showed an incidence of 64.1 ± 2.4 none of the patients took oral therapy for DE prescribed even if you bought: symptom remission has been declared between the second and third psicosessuologico counseling interview.

CONCLUSIONS. The ED young adult suffering from psychogenic relapsing bacterial prostatitis appears mixed anxiety-depressive syndrome, caused by high stress competitive roles at work and in the conduct of psychogenic in sexuality, low threshold of frustration In DE seems emerge even a manly role challenge reached by the patient is to support both the medical team Andrologist (sexologist) as opposed to the relationship with partner often competitive and strong personality