[Sexual dysfunction management in multiple sclerosis]

Sexual dysfunction is a frequent disorder associated to multiple sclerosis, that contributes to the worsening of life quality of these patients.

To ascertain how it is managed in a demyelinating disease unit.

It was done an anonymous poll to multiple sclerosis patients in a demyelinating disease unit. The following variables were analysed: age, sex, marital status, education degree, sexual dysfunction, vesical dysfunction, gait disturbances and duration of illness.

67 of 97 patients answered. 74.6% females. Average age was 43.7 years. Average developing time was 11.3 years. 58% of the patients had vesical dysfunction. 43% had sexual dysfunction. There was relation with statistical significance between sexual and vesical dysfunction but not among the rest of variables. 63% of the patients with sexual dysfunction had never talked about this problem with their doctors. That the patient talked about sexual dysfunction was related with the fact that the neurologist asked for or not, and if sexual dysfunction was an important problem for the patient. The neurologist had asked for dysfunction sexual symptoms to 30% of the patients, and this was more frequent if the patient was male and if he or she had gait disturbances.

Sexual dysfunction is a frequent and important problem for patients with multiple sclerosis. According to our results, this problem is raised up in an insufficient manner as much for patients as for neurologists.