Sexuality and neuromuscular disease: a pilot study

40 individuals with neuromuscular diseases were interviewed: twenty individuals with early onset of symptoms and a relatively rapid rate of progression of disease and twenty subjects with a slower rate of progression of disease. The data suggested that early onset of neuromuscular disease, together with a rapid rate of progression of the disease, result in more constricted psychosocial and psychosexual development and in more severe limitations on sexual activity. For both groups, the degree of physical limitations per se on sexual activity was less critical than was the impact of the disease on the social and psychological functioning of the individuals.