Study of Sexual Functioning, Sexual Concerns and Sexual Satisfaction in Male Stroke Survivors.

Abstract

Context: Post stroke sexual dysfunction in adult survivors frequently goes under-considered in medical practice. Sexual dysfunction following stroke is thought to result from multiple factors like organic and/or psychosocial and physical. Aim: To study the sexual functioning, sexual concerns and sexual satisfaction in males stroke survivors. Methods: It was a cross sectional questionnaire based study in the Neurological Rehabilitation department of a tertiary care Institute in 33 adult male stroke survivors in the age more than 21 years with at least 3 months of community dwelling post discharge. The sexual functions recorded were (1) libido/desire, (2) coital frequency, (3) sexual arousal (4) erectile function using IIEF score (5) ejaculation using PEDT score and (6) sexual satisfaction Results: Thirty three eligiblemale stroke survivors in the age range from 25-54 years (mean 42.5 years) with post-stroke duration of 3-45 months (mean 16.6 months) were included in the study. Of them, 14 had experienced stroke within 12 months and 19 had experienced stroke > 12 months ago. Thirteen participants were sexually inactive and reported no coitus because of a loss of erection. The sexually active stroke survivors reported a moderate recovery of libido (60%), coital frequency (60%), erectile function (63%), orgasm (32%) and sexual satisfaction (25%) while others had poor recovery. Erectile dysfunction was present in 16 cases, an-ejaculation in 18 cases and premature ejaculation in 9 cases. Hypertension and depression with a history of smoking posed a higher risk of erectile dysfunctions. Conclusion: Exploration of sexual dysfunctions and sexual counselling by clinicians should be part of the comprehensive stroke rehabilitation program in sub-acute care.