title: Discopathy of the lumbar-sacral segment and its influence on sexual dysfunction.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Intervertebral disc disease is a widespread medical and social problem. Degeneration of intervertebral discs can lead to disc disease, commonly known as discopathy. One of the consequences of discopathy is pressure on the spinal cord or nerve roots that supply the genitals and sexual centers located in the core. In addition, the accompanying pain and limitation of mobility can lead to the occurrence of sexual dysfunction.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The goal of the study was to ascertain the influence of discopathy in the lumbosacral (L-S) segment on the occurrence of sexual dysfunction.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study involved 50 hospitalized patients with discopathy in the L-S segment were asked to complete a specially prepared questionnaire (11 questions). The goal of the survey was to compare the patients' satisfaction with their sex life before and after the disease. The questions were constructed in a way that excluded other indicators that could affect their sexual activity, i.e.: bad moods, bad family relations, or a lack of sexual activity due to age or the lack of a partner.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Discopathy in the lumbar-sacral segment has an influence on sexual activity. A decrease in the assessment of satisfaction with one's sex life can be observed among patients with discopathy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The pain and neurological symptoms associated with intervertebral disc disease reduce the patients' satisfaction with their sex lives. Patients in the group surveyed noted a change in sexual performance, often resulting in passivity, discouragement, weakness or a complete lack of interest in sex. The disorders also affect the emotional state. The patients also noted a significant decrease in physical activity.
authors.affiliation: Department and Institute of Manual Therapy, Nicolaus Copernicus University Collegium Medicum, Toruń/Bydgoszcz, Poland.
authors.forename: Maciej
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dzierżanowski
authors.forename: Marcin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dzierżanowski
authors.forename: Katarzyna
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wrzecion
authors.forename: Witold
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Słomko
authors.forename: Agnieszka
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Radzimińska
authors.forename: Urszula
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Kaźmierczak
authors.forename: Katarzyna
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Strojek
authors.forename: Grzegorz
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Srokowski
authors.forename: Walery
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Żukow
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D006262:Health; D006801:Humans; D007403:Intervertebral Disc / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D055959:Intervertebral Disc Degeneration / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D008161:Lumbosacral Region / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D055815:Young Adult