The evaluation of sexual function in women with stroke

Although very common, sexual dysfunction is a neglected disorder in women with stroke.

To investigate the physical, psychological and sexual changes in women with stroke, and to determine the factors related to these changes.

This descriptive study was conducted at a tertiary care university hospital.

A total of 112 women (51 stroke patients, 61 healthy controls) were included in the study. The independence level of stroke patients was evaluated with the Modified Rankin Scale (mRS); the severity of stroke and the clinical status of patients after stroke, with the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS); depression levels, with the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI); and, patients' sexual function, with the Female Sexual Function Inventory (FSFI).

The Kolmogorov-Smirnov, the student's t, the Chi-square and the Mann- Whitney-U tests, and the Spearman's correlation analysis were performed in the appropriate conditions.

While the scores of total FSFI and FSFI subgroups in women with stroke were lower than in healthy controls, BDI scores were found to be higher than those of controls. A negative correlation was detected between the total FSFI scores, and BDI, MRS, NIHSS, age, duration of marriage and number of children in women with stroke, while a positive correlation was found between total FSFI scores and educational level.

Sexual dysfunction is a commonly seen disorder in women with stroke, and is influenced by the severity of disease, level of dependence and accompanying depression. Therefore, evaluation of sexual dysfunction, depression and levels of physical function should be done in women with stroke during their follow up.