Aquatic exercising may improve sexual function in females with multiple sclerosis - an exploratory study

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Women's Health

Background:

• Multiple sclerosis (MS) frequently causes sexual dysfunction in women.
• This dysfunction can be particularly burdensome, impacting quality of life.
• Understanding effective interventions is crucial for this population.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of aquatic exercise on sexual function in females with MS.
• To evaluate changes in various aspects of sexual function and related symptoms.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial (RCT) involving 60 married females with MS.
• Participants were assigned to aquatic exercise (2x/week or 3x/week) or an active control condition.
• Assessments included sexual function, depression, sleep, fatigue, and couple satisfaction over 8 weeks.

Main Results:

• Aquatic exercise significantly improved overall sexual function (p < .001) and all subscales: desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and pain.
• A significant reduction in depressive symptoms was also observed (p = .002).
• No significant effects were found for fatigue, sleep complaints, or couple satisfaction compared to the control.

Conclusions:

• Aquatic exercise training shows promise for enhancing sexual function in females with MS.
• Further research with larger, pre-screened samples is warranted to confirm these findings.
• The results suggest potential clinical and practical benefits for women with MS experiencing sexual dysfunction.