Sexual dysfunction in epilepsy patients attending a tertiary care hospital

Abstract

Introduction: Seizures and antiepileptic drugs both can contribute to sexual dysfunction. Seizures can modify sexual behavior by altering the release of hypothalamic or pituitary hormones, by disrupting the function of limbic cortex. Antiepileptic drugs can alter hormonal release and may have direct inhibitory effects. Though Epilepsy is a common disease in neurological practice, there are very few studies available regarding sexual dysfunction in epilepsy. Material and Methods: This cross sectional study was carried out on 100 patients of epilepsy with an age group between 25-50 years who presented as outpatient in the department of Neurology at M.S. Ramaiah Memorial Hospital, Bangalore, over two years. We also compared these cases with age matched normal people as a control. Pre-designed and pre-tested questionnaires like Arizona sexual experience scale, international index of erectile function questionnaire were used to collect data. Arizona sexual experience scale of >15 considered sexual dysfunction, Results: Out of 100 cases with epilepsy, 43 patients were male (43%), while 57 patients were female (57%). Out of 100 normal cases, 61 were male (61%), while 39 were female (39%). 38% of epilepsy patient had sexual disturbance. Polytherapy was associated with sexual dysfunction (p-0.016). Conclusion: Reduction of the frequency of epileptic seizures, and monotherapy is of great importance in improving the sexual health in epileptic patients. Keywords: Seizures, Epilepsy, Sexual dysfunction, Anti epileptic drugs