STUDY OF SEXUAL FUNCTIONING, SEXUAL CONCERNS, AND SEXUAL SATISFACTION IN MALE STROKE SURVIVORS

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to study the sexual functioning, sexual concerns, and sexual satisfaction in males stroke survivors. The aim of this study was to determine the male sexual functions (1) libido/desire, (2) coital frequency, (3) sexual arousal, (4) erectile function using international index of erectile function (IIEF) score, (5) ejaculation using premature ejaculation diagnostic tool (PEDT) score, and (6) sexual satisfaction in male stroke survivors. Methods: It was a cross-sectional questionnaire study in the Neurological Rehabilitation department of a tertiary care Institute in 33 adult male stroke survivors in the age more than 21 years with at least 3 months of community dwelling post-discharge. The sexual functions recorded were (1) libido/ desire, (2) coital frequency, (3) sexual arousal, (4) erectile function using IIEF score, (5) ejaculation using PEDT score, and (6) sexual satisfaction. Results: Thirty-three eligible male stroke survivors in the age range from 25–54 years (mean 42.5 years) with post-stroke duration of 3–45 months (mean = 16.6 months) were included in the study. Of them, 14 had experienced stroke within 12 months and 19 had experienced stroke >12 months ago. Thirteen participants were sexually inactive and reported no coitus due to a loss of erection. The sexually active stroke survivors reported a moderate recovery of libido (60%), coital frequency (60%), erectile function (63%), orgasm (32%), and sexual satisfaction (25%), while others had poor recovery. Erectile dysfunction was present in 16 cases, an-ejaculation in 18 cases, and premature ejaculation in nine cases. Hypertension and depression with a history of smoking posed a higher risk of erectile dysfunctions. Conclusion: Exploration of sexual dysfunctions and sexual counseling by clinicians should be part of the comprehensive stroke rehabilitation program in sub-acute care.