Sexual dysfunction and associated factors in Chinese Han women with epilepsy

Women with epilepsy (WWE) are believed to be at risk of sexual dysfunction (SD) and face many sexual challenges because of multiple factors. This study aimed to assess the factors associated with SD in Chinese Han WWE.

This cross-sectional study examined 112 married WWE in the Affiliated Hospital of Yangzhou University with focal (FE) or generalized epilepsy (GE) on antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), and 120 healthy controls without epilepsy, all of Chinese Han nationality. Data collection tools included the Chinese version of Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), the Chinese version of Zung Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), the Chinese version of the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS), the Chinese version of the revised Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-8), and the Chinese version of the National Hospital Seizure Severity Scale (NHS3). Chi-square test, t-test, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and binary logistic regression were used for statistical analysis.

A high rate (70.5%) of SD was detected in WWE, with 24.2% in controls. Sexual dysfunction affected all dimensions: desire (85.7%), arousal (56.3%), lubrication (47.3%), orgasm (66.1%), satisfaction (58.9%), and pain (41.1%). Elevated rates of anxiety (40.2%) and depression (33%) and poor medication adherence (31.3%) were also found in WWE. Binary logistic regression found that poor economic status (odds ratio (OR) = 13.904, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.025-95.472, P = 0.007 and OR = 6.350, 95% CI: 1.323-30.477, P = 0.021), anxiety (OR = 1.222, 95% CI: 1.055-1.415, P = 0.007), and poor medication adherence (OR = 0.297, 95% CI: 0.124-0.707, P = 0.006) were associated with SD.

The associated factors of SD in Chinese Han WWE are multifactorial. The WWE have higher levels of anxiety, poor family economic status, and poor medication adherence. Medical professionals should not only better control seizures but also evaluate and improve patients' sexual function so as to improve the quality of life of WWE.