AI Revolution in Sexual Health: Applications and Future Directions

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming various fields of medicine, and sexual health is no exception. This article explores the current landscape of AI applications in sexual medicine, including its use in education, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. As AI technologies like machine learning and natural language processing continue to advance, their potential to improve sexual health outcomes becomes increasingly significant. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of how AI is currently being utilized and the future possibilities it holds for the field.

A comprehensive scoping review was conducted using PubMed and Medline databases to identify relevant studies on AI in sexual medicine and health. The search terms included 'artificial intelligence,' 'sexual medicine,' and 'sexual health.' Articles published between 1994 and 2024 were considered. The review included studies that investigated the integration of AI in sexual medicine and health, excluding those not written in English, systematic reviews, clinical trial protocols, comments, and letters. The screening process involved two researchers who reviewed titles, abstracts, and full texts, with conflicts resolved by a third researcher. Data extraction categorized articles into education, prediction, prevention, or diagnosis of sexual medicine diseases and issues.

The scoping review identified 69 articles that met the inclusion criteria. These studies highlighted the use of AI in various aspects of sexual medicine, including preventing the spread of STIs, providing sexual education, diagnosing and treating sexual dysfunction and infertility, and predicting sexual behaviors. The majority of studies were published between 2021 and 2023, indicating a growing interest in this field. All studies demonstrated support for the use and benefits of AI in sexual medicine.

AI chatbots have emerged as a valuable tool for providing accessible, engaging, and anonymous information on sexual health. These chatbots can offer support for STI testing, education, and counseling. They have also been shown to improve attitudes and confidence related to sexual activity. However, a noted limitation is that chatbots often lack the empathy of human interactions. Preferences for chatbot use are influenced by stigma, convenience, and the anonymity they offer, particularly for sensitive topics. While healthcare professionals have some hesitancy regarding patient safety and reliability, younger individuals and those with STI-related concerns are more open to digital health solutions.

AI chatbots are also being utilized to assist with STI testing, diagnosis, and outreach, especially for marginalized and underserved populations. For example, a chatbot developed in Malaysia catered specifically to men who have sex with men (MSM) to overcome barriers in HIV prevention and screening. This chatbot was valued for its emotional support, information accessibility, and privacy. AI models have also been developed to predict internet health and PrEP adherence, demonstrating the potential of AI to improve public health outcomes related to STIs.

AI is being employed to treat infertility, ranging from predictive models of infertility to AI-guided sperm retrieval and molecular analysis. Studies have shown that AI can accurately differentiate Klinefelter syndrome patients from azoospermic patients. AI-powered image analysis and deep learning techniques are also being used to improve sperm retrieval accuracy. These applications highlight the potential of AI to enhance the diagnosis and treatment of infertility.

AI is also finding applications in forensic science, particularly in determining the sex of bones. AI models have achieved high success rates in gender classification using bone analysis. Accuracies for sex determination via lumbar vertebrae have been shown to be significantly improved through image analysis and deep learning techniques. These advancements demonstrate the potential of AI to assist in forensic investigations.

While AI offers numerous benefits in sexual medicine, it also presents challenges and ethical considerations. Concerns regarding information accuracy, the perceived absence of human empathy in responses, and the need for extensive research in this evolving field must be addressed. It is crucial to ensure that AI applications in sexual health are developed and implemented responsibly, with a focus on patient safety, privacy, and ethical considerations.

Further research is essential to unlock the full potential of AI in sexual medicine. Future studies should focus on developing and validating AI models for various applications, addressing ethical concerns, and integrating AI into clinical practice. AI presents advantages such as accessibility, user-friendliness, confidentiality, and a preferred source of sexual health information. However, it still lags human healthcare providers in terms of compassion and clinical expertise. Continued research and development are needed to bridge this gap and ensure that AI is used effectively and ethically in sexual medicine.

AI is poised to revolutionize sexual medicine, offering new opportunities for education, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. While challenges and ethical considerations must be addressed, the potential benefits of AI are undeniable. By continuing to invest in research and development, we can harness the power of AI to improve sexual health outcomes for individuals and communities worldwide.