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Sexual function in people with epilepsy: Similarities and differences with the general population
Oliver Henning1, Cecilie Johannessen Landmark1,2,3, Bente Traeen4
1Division of Clinical Neuroscience, National Centre for Epilepsy, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
Epilepsia
|August 14, 2019
Summary
Patients with epilepsy experience more sexual problems, including issues with orgasm and sexual deviance, compared to the general population. These issues are not linked to seizure control or medication, impacting quality of life.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Sexual Medicine
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Epilepsy significantly impacts patient welfare, yet its effect on sexual function is often overlooked.
- Understanding sexual dysfunction in epilepsy is crucial for comprehensive patient care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of various sexual problems in patients with epilepsy (both well-controlled and refractory).
- To compare sexual function in epilepsy patients with the general population.
Main Methods:
- A questionnaire survey on sexual function was conducted with 221 inpatients/outpatients with epilepsy (mostly refractory) and 78 outpatients with well-controlled epilepsy.
- Data were compared with sexual function information from 1671 individuals in the general Norwegian population.
Main Results:
- Patients with epilepsy reported higher rates of orgasmic dysfunction, dyspareunia, erectile dysfunction, and sexual deviance.
- Reduced sexual desire, premature ejaculation/climax, and vaginal dryness were similar to the general population.
- Sexual deviance correlated with lower quality of life; fewer epilepsy patients were satisfied with their sex lives. No link found between sexual problems and seizure control or enzyme-inducing antiepileptic drugs.
Conclusions:
- Certain sexual problems are significantly more prevalent in epilepsy patients compared to the general population, notably feelings of sexual deviance.
- No specific epilepsy-related factors were identified as predictors for these sexual problems.
- Addressing sexual health is vital for improving the overall well-being of individuals with epilepsy.
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