[Sexuality in people with frontotemporal dementia]

Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) accounts for around 5% of all forms of dementia and often starts at a relatively young age. It poses challenges for relatives and carers. This article focuses on changes with respect to sexuality. Studies have so far mainly focussed on neuronal changes and only marginally on the altered sexuality of people with FTD and the associated difficulties for partners. Sexuality and intimacy should be seen as a basic human need, even for people with dementia.

The challenges of altered sexuality of people with FTD in their couple relationships were surveyed in order to identify forms of behavior of sufferers and derive conclusions for the practice.

The study comprises expert interviews (n = 8). These were analyzed using a content-structuring qualitative content analysis according to Kuckartz.

The interviews clearly show that people with FTD experience a different sexuality as a result of the disease, both in the form of hypersexual and hyposexual behavior. Both forms of behavior lead to changes in couple relationships.

The results indicate the need to destigmatize those affected as hypersexual per se and the relevance of professional support for those affected and organizations. An integrative approach is required in which protection and enabling a healthy sexuality with FTD are considered together.