Experiences and informational needs on sexual health in people with epilepsy or multiple sclerosis: A focus group investigation

Egerod, Ingrid; Wulff, Kathrine; Petersen, Marian

doi:10.1111/jocn.14378

Cited by 11 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…Overall, the present study shows that patients with MS and epilepsy report a high prevalence of sexual dysfunction. The results support the findings from a previous focus group investigation reporting that patients seldom highlight sexual problems when talking to health professionals, which may result in sexual distress and impact both psychological wellbeing and the relationship with a partner [31]. Some sexual problems may be related to the current disease, whereas other sexual problems may be triggered by more psychological and social aspects.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 88%

“…Other factors may complicate the sexual lives of patients with epilepsy. In a qualitative study including 26 patients, Egerod et al found that patients with epilepsy feared an epileptic seizure if they let go during sexual activity and, therefore, do not achieve satisfaction and/or orgasm by intimate contact [31] . This was supported by Rees et al in describing sexual auras and erotic feeling as part of seizures [10].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Our results are in line with other studies. In a focus group investigation of sexual health in people with MS and epilepsy, Egerod et al found that sexuality was affected in both groups and sexual activity was closely related to quality of life [31]. In a dataset of message board posts from the Epilepsy Foundation of America website, Miller et al found 2015 posts concerning challenges that patients with epilepsy experience in relation to sexuality, such as sexual desire, shame/embarrassment, epilepsydriven relationship deterioration, and sex-related syndromes [32].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In a review of sexual problems among men with MS, Calabró et al concluded that they were influenced not only by their physical being, but by mental health, and that their quality of life has an impact on sexuality as well [7]. Egerod et al also found that patients with MS and epilepsy experience a negative mental impact due to the disease [31]. In a cross-sectional study including 506 patients, Mameniskiene et al found that patients with epilepsy have a negatively affected family life and experience social stigma [34] .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It is important to discuss a disease's potential impact on sexuality with the patients. The present study emphasizes the importance of the health care provider discussing sexual function with patients with MS and epilepsy [4,31,37].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Sexual dysfunction and mental health in patients with multiple sclerosis and epilepsy

et al. 2020

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Background Epilepsy and multiple sclerosis (MS) are two neurological diseases known to greatly influence a patient’s life. The primary aim of this study was to describe the prevalence of sexual dysfunction in patients with epilepsy and MS and investigate whether there is an association between disease, sexual function, and physical and mental health. A secondary aim was to investigate whether there is a difference in sexual function between patients with MS and epilepsy. Methods A total of 414 patients were included in this descriptive cross-sectional study. Three patient report questionnaires were used for measurements: the Changes in Sexual Function Questionnaire (CSFQ) cut-off score; the Short Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36) divided into the Physical Component Summary (PCS) and Mental Component Summary (MCS), and the Life Satisfaction—11 (LiSat-11). Results Patients with MS constituted 62% (n = 258) of the participants and patients with epilepsy 38% (n = 156). The prevalence of sexual dysfunction was 68% in women and 77% in men. No differences were found between patients with MS and epilepsy (p = 0.184), except for the CSFQ desire domain, as patients with epilepsy more often had a desire problem (p = 0.029). On the SF-36, patients with MS scored significantly worse on the PCS (p = 0.000). Patients with epilepsy scored significantly worse on the MCS (p = 0.002). No significant differences were found on the LiSat-11. Regression analysis with CSFQ as the dependent variable showed an association with the PCS in men and an association with both PCS and MCS in women. Conclusions In this study, the cohort of patients with MS and epilepsy had negatively affected sexual function. The only significant difference between patients with MS and epilepsy in sexual function measured by the CSFQ-14, was found in the frequency of desire, in which a larger number of patients with epilepsy reported sexual dysfunction. In the studied cohort, sexual function in women is associated with both physical and mental health, and in men with physical health. These results should be considered when caring for patients with epilepsy and MS.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 88%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Sexual dysfunction and mental health in patients with multiple sclerosis and epilepsy

et al. 2020

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Discussing sexual health among Flemish patients with Parkinson’s disease

et al. 2022

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Association Between Multiple Sclerosis and Risk of Female Sexual Dysfunction: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Zhao

Wang

Liu

et al. 2018

The Journal of Sexual Medicine

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Introduction It has been reported that multiple sclerosis (MS) would increase the susceptibility to female sexual dysfunction (FSD). Aim To assess whether MS was a risk factor for FSD through a comprehensive literature review and meta-analysis. Methods MEDLINE (PubMed), Embase, Cochrane Library, and PsychINFO databases were systematically searched for all studies reporting sexual function in women with MS. The protocol for this meta-analysis is available from PROSPERO (CRD42018094392). Main Outcome Measures The association between MS and risk of FSD was summarized using relative risk or standard mean differences with 95% CI. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were conducted to detect potential bias. Results Overall, 1,485 women participants (the mean age ranged from 29.15 to 45.89 years) were included from 9 studies (4 cross-sectional and 5 case-control studies); 826 of them were patients with MS, with a mean disease duration from 2.7 to 16.51 years. Synthesis of results revealed that MS was significantly associated with an increased risk of FSD (relative risk 1.87, 95% CI 1.25–2.78, P = .002; heterogeneity: I 2 = 89.0%, P < .001). Women with MS had significantly lower values in total Female Sexual Function Index scores as compared with healthy controls (standard mean differences –2.41,95% CI −3.87 to −0.96, P = .017; heterogeneity: I 2 = 97.2%, P = .001). The grading of recommendations assessment, development, and evaluation–relevant outcomes revealed that the absolute effect of MS on FSD was 434 more per 1000 (from 125 more to 888 more); and the overall quality of the evidence was judged as low. Clinical Implications The present meta-analysis indicates that women patients with MS have a significant elevated risk of sexual dysfunction, which should raise awareness of the potential association between MS and FSD by both neurologists and urologists. Strengths & Limitations This the first study to summarize all available evidence for combining the odds on the association between MS and the risk of developing FSD. However, all the included studies were observational design, which may downgrade this evidence. Conclusion Results of this meta-analysis revealed a potential hazardous effect of MS for developing FSD. High-quality stringently controlled studies with large sample size are still warranted to validate this relationship.

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Experiences and informational needs on sexual health in people with epilepsy or multiple sclerosis: A focus group investigation

Abstract: Implementation of improved patient information at the neurological clinic is recommended.

Cited by 11 publications

References 26 publications

Sexual dysfunction and mental health in patients with multiple sclerosis and epilepsy

Sexual dysfunction and mental health in patients with multiple sclerosis and epilepsy

Discussing sexual health among Flemish patients with Parkinson’s disease

Association Between Multiple Sclerosis and Risk of Female Sexual Dysfunction: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

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