Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Sexual function in women with epilepsy

S Duncan1, J Blacklaw, G H Beastall

  • 1Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Dundee Royal Infirmary, Scotland.

Epilepsia
|May 14, 1998
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Perampanel for focal epilepsy: insights from early clinical experience.

Acta neurologica Scandinavica·2015
Same author

Zonisamide: its pharmacology, efficacy and safety in clinical trials.

Acta neurologica Scandinavica. Supplementum·2012
Same author

Patterns of treatment response in newly diagnosed epilepsy.

Neurology·2012
Same author

Adjunctive pregabalin for uncontrolled partial-onset seizures: findings from a prospective audit.

Acta neurologica Scandinavica·2011
Same author

Biphasic O-deethylation of phenacetin and 7-ethoxycoumarin by human and rat liver microsomal fractions.

Biochemical pharmacology·2010
Same author

Efficacy and safety of adjunctive ezogabine (retigabine) in refractory partial epilepsy.

Neurology·2010
Same journal

Responsible use of artificial intelligence in peer-reviewed publications in epilepsy.

Epilepsia·2026
Same journal

Altered autonomic balance drives the increase in cardiac output and arterial pressure during convulsive seizures in nonanesthetized sheep.

Epilepsia·2026
Same journal

Diagnostic yield and copy number variants findings in 219 adult patients with developmental and epileptic encephalopathy.

Epilepsia·2026
Same journal

Prolonged fenfluramine use in open-label studies of Dravet or Lennox-Gastaut syndromes: Long-term safety, tolerability, patient global functioning, and considerations for interpreting effectiveness.

Epilepsia·2026
Same journal

Electrocardiography characteristics and long-term mortality in people with epilepsy from a resource-poor community.

Epilepsia·2026
Same journal

Factors associated with rapid pediatric acute seizure emergency treatment: Quality Improvement in Time to Treat Status Epilepticus baseline cohort.

Epilepsia·2026
See all related articles

Women on antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) showed stricter sexual attitudes but similar sexual desire and satisfaction with partners. Free testosterone levels remained normal, not explaining hyposexuality.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Endocrinology
  • Sexual Health

Background:

  • Epilepsy and its treatment can impact sexual function and hormone levels.
  • Understanding the relationship between antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), sexual behavior, and sex hormones is crucial for comprehensive patient care.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate sexual behavior and attitudes in women with epilepsy on AEDs.
  • To assess the effects of AEDs on sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), total testosterone (TT), and free testosterone (FT).

Main Methods:

  • 195 women with epilepsy (159 on AEDs, 36 not) and 48 controls completed Sexuality Experience Scales (SES).
  • Blood samples were analyzed for SHBG and TT; FT was calculated.
  • Statistical analysis compared sexual experience scores and hormone levels across groups.

Related Experiment Videos

Main Results:

  • Women on AEDs reported stricter sexual morality and less openness to psychosexual stimulation (higher SES 1 & 2 scores).
  • Despite this, women on AEDs with partners showed similar desire and enjoyment of intercourse.
  • AEDs increased SHBG and TT levels, but FT remained within physiological norms across all groups.

Conclusions:

  • AEDs may influence sexual attitudes, but partnered sexual desire and satisfaction are comparable to controls.
  • Demographic factors or a bimodal distribution of sexual interest might explain observed differences.
  • Normal FT levels indicate that hormonal changes due to AEDs do not directly cause hyposexuality in these women.