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Published on: August 15, 2017
Sexual dysfunction in women with epilepsy.
1Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, Department of Neurology, Room K-615, 525 East 68th Street, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, United States. clharden@med.cornell.edu
Seizure
|January 1, 2008
Summary
Women with epilepsy often experience sexual dysfunction, including decreased sexual interest and orgasmic difficulties. Enzyme-inducing antiepileptic drugs and temporal lobe epilepsy may contribute to these issues.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Reproductive Health
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Sexual dysfunction is a frequent comorbidity in women with epilepsy (WWE).
- WWE report decreased sexual interest and higher rates of orgasmic dysfunction compared to controls.
- Potential contributing factors include antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) and epilepsy type.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the contributing factors to sexual dysfunction in women with epilepsy.
- To discuss management strategies for sexual dysfunction in WWE.
- To highlight the neurologist's role in addressing this comorbidity.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on sexual dysfunction in women with epilepsy.
- Analysis of the impact of enzyme-inducing AEDs on sexual hormones.
- Examination of the relationship between epilepsy laterality and sexual function.
- Exploration of the role of serotonin transporter protein in epilepsy-associated sexual dysfunction.
Main Results:
- Enzyme-inducing AEDs can lower bioactive testosterone levels, impacting sexual function.
- Right-sided temporal lobe epilepsy may be a risk factor for sexual dysfunction.
- The serotonin transporter protein is implicated in altered sexual functioning in epilepsy, potentially via AED effects.
Conclusions:
- Sexual dysfunction in WWE is multifactorial, involving AEDs, epilepsy type, and neurobiological factors.
- Neurologists should initiate management discussions regarding sexual dysfunction in WWE.
- Further research into the role of serotonin and AEDs is warranted to improve patient care.
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