Endocrine disorders, sexualities and masculinities: experiences of Cuban and Peruvian men

摘要

The study explored meanings of sexual experiences in 5 Peruvian men and 8 Cuban men living with endocrine disorders that provoke changes in their physical appearance, through an in-depth interview guide and two projective psychological tests. Men considered that sexuality demands coherence between biological sex, gender experiences and ways of body representing. Body changes resulting of endocrine illnesses and difficulties to accomplish with gender traditional roles, "broke" this "coherence", having a deep impact over men's sexualities and identities. Some differences appeared related to the cultural context and particularities of endocrine disease, but almost all men referred deep impacts because of their sexual erectile dysfunction. We concluded that sexuality changes resulting illnesses had deep impact over for these men, related to traditional gender constructions that demand them to be economic and sexual provider.