Research: sexual dysfunction

Epub: Celik et al. Sexual dysfunction ın multiple sclerosis: Gender differences. J Neurol Sci. 2012 Oct 15. pii: S0022-510X(12)00468-6. doi: 10.1016/j.jns.2012.08.019.

PURPOSE: To assess the frequency and nature of sexual dysfunction in MSers and to investigate the relationships of SD with clinical, demographic and psychosocial factors by comparing MSers with and without SD.

METHODS: 89 MSers were included, 45 males and 44 females, ageing an average of 37.4±8.6years (range:21-56). They applied Multiple Sclerosis Intimacy and Sexuality Questionnaire-19 (MSISQ-19) and Arizona Sexual Experiences Scale (ASEX) to all MSers. Disability was evaluated with the expanded disability status scale (EDSS).

RESULTS: 60.7% (n=54) of MSers reported SD according to MSISQ scores. Women exhibited significantly higher MSISQ scores than men (42.6±12.9 and 36.6±13.3, respectively; P=0.034). Women (7.9%) also reported to experience sexual arousal difficulties significantly more than men (1.1%) (P=0.024) according to ASEX. The MSers were classified into three MSISQ-19 subscales, Primary, Secondary and Tertiary SD. The most common reported dimension of SD was secondary (32.5%, n=41). In this dimension of SD, MSers mostly complained of pain-burning, memory-concentration problems and bowel symptoms. A significant relationship was found between Secondary SD and both EDSS score and disease duration (r=0.34 p=0.001 and r=0.21 p=0.042, respectively). Tertiary SD was also associated with EDSS score (r=0.23 p=0.03).

CONCLUSION: Sexual Dysfunction, a frequent problem for MSers, is associated with gender. Women reported more SD than men. Secondary SD symptoms were the most common complaints for both men and women. Nonetheless women had more secondary SD symptoms than men. The emotional dimension of SD is related with disability.



"Interesting results? Why are woman more affected than men? Sexual dysfunction is a common problem and often hidden. Don't suffer in silence, bring it to the attention of your medical team. They may be able to help!"
" Sexual dysfunction is a reminder of why prevention is better than a cure! Will early aggressive MS prevent the onset of sexual dysfunction? Sexual dysfunction is an outcome measure that needs to be collected; it has a massive impact on quality of life and something even cynical commissioners or payers should understand; that's assuming DMTs prevent sexual dysfunction."

Other posts on this blog, in relation to sexual dysfunction, that may be of interest to you

04 Aug 2012
Sexual dysfunction in HD as well as in MS is a very common problem, although it is unclear whether the dysfunction is caused by the chronic illness itself or by the sociopsychiatric burden related to the illness. Methods: ...
21 Apr 2012
Sildenafil citrate for erectile dysfunction in patients with multiple sclerosis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2012 Apr 18;4:CD009427. BACKGROUND: Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common sexual disease in male MSers.
13 May 2012
Female sexual functioning is a complex process involving physiological, psychosocial and interpersonal factors. Sexual dysfunction (SD) is frequent (40-74%) among women with multiple sclerosis (MS), reflecting neurological ...
04 May 2012
Multiple sclerosis (MS) commonly affects young adults who may be sexually active, with sexual dysfunction being a significant, but often underestimated, symptom of MS. However, no large-scaled study has investigated the ...

25 Apr 2012
Following our post from the weekend I thought I would have a look at studies of MS and sexual problems. The amount of information is surprisingly limited for an issue that is pretty common, as can be seen from the posts, and ...
25 May 2011
Sildenafil (aka Viagra), commonly used to treat sexual dysfunction in men with MS, has been reported to be neuroprotective. In this study, the investigators showed that sildenafil reduces the clinical signs of disease in a mouse ...

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