title: Sexual functions in women with focal epilepsy. A preliminary study.
abstract: We analyzed sexual function in 29 women suffering from focal epilepsy using the Female Sexual Function Index, Beck Depression Inventory, Beck Anxiety Inventory and a battery of laboratory tests were performed to find possible correlations and differences. A total FSFI score lower than the predefined cut-off score was found in 20.7% women and the presence of at least one subtype of sexual dysfunction was found in 51.7% of them. The most frequent dysfunction was lack of lubrication, which occurred in 34.5% of patients. A higher depression score was significantly correlated with a worse total score of Female Sexual Function Index and with decreased score of lubrication, satisfaction and pain. Patients who were seizure-free had better total score of Female Sexual Function Index and score of lubrication, orgasm and pain in comparison to patients who were not seizure-free. A higher anxiety scale was correlated only with lower satisfaction. We found a statistically significant correlation of reduced desire and use of carbamazepine and with lower dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate and free-androgene index. Reduced arousal was also correlated with the use of carbamazepine and lower dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate. Patients with a combination of complex partial and generalized tonic-clonic seizures had a worse total sexual function score and pain score than those with complex partial and generalized tonic-clonic seizures only. Sexual dysfunctions are relatively common problems in epileptic women with focal epilepsy. Prospective studies, including a control group, are needed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Masaryk University, St Anne's Hospital, Brno, Czech Republic. zel.v@seznam.cz
authors.forename: Vera
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Zelená
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kuba
authors.forename: Michal
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pohanka
authors.forename: Vladimír
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Soska
authors.forename: Ivan
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Rektor
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004828:Epilepsies, Partial / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000453:epidemiology*
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants