Abstract
Sexual life of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) is a complex and challenging process that is often impaired under the influence of the disease and its neurological, physical and psychosocial complications. Nevertheless, this issue is often neglected. The present study was conducted in Iran to explain sexual life in women with MS and the perception and experience of these women with their sexual life. Eighteen subjects participating in the present qualitative study included 13 women with MS aged 18–50 years presenting to Iran MS Society and 5 key informants. Eligible candidates were selected using purposive sampling with maximum variation. The data were collected by conducting in-depth semi-structured interviews until data saturation was achieved. The data were analyzed in MAXQDA10 using the conventional content analysis based on the approach proposed by Graneheim and Lundman. Three themes and seven categories emerged from analyzing the data. The themes included (1) “declining quality and quantity of sexual relationships” with three categories of “poor sexual function”, “reductions in the frequency of sex” and “fear of recurrence of negative sexual experiences”, (2) “self-neglect in sexual relationships” with two categories of “priority of the spouse in sexual relationships” and “renouncing one’s own rights in sexual relationships” and (3) “low sexual self-efficacy” with two categories of “low sexual self-confidence” and “belief in inability in sexual relationships”. This study highlighted the concern that MS and related complications can significantly and negatively lower the quality and quantity of sexual relationships in women with MS. These women neglect themselves in their sexual life, and experience low sexual self-efficacy. Including these factors in the design and implementation of comprehensive and multidisciplinary interventions appears helpful in promoting the sexual life of these women during their treatment.
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