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Sexuality in women with epilepsy is reviewed in a recent issue of Epilepsy and Behavior.
According to the report from the United States, "Most women with epilepsy maintain normal reproductive cycles and sexual lives. However, a significant minority, approximately 20-30%, have some degree of sexual dysfunction, including problems with seizure exacerbation, libido, arousal, and orgasm."
Cynthia L. Harden at Cornell University wrote, "Fluctuating hormone levels may contribute to an array of reproductive cycling abnormalities. With regard to sexual dysfunction, there is some evidence of reduced genital blood flow in women with temporal lobe epilepsy. Other studies suggest that psychosocial factors, such as depression, feeling stigmatized, and being anxious about having seizures during sex, may contribute to the higher rates of sexual dysfunction in this patient population."
"Some anti-epileptic drugs may adversely affect normal reproductive cycling and sexual function, particularly drugs that increase serotonergic transmission. Conversely, resective epilepsy surgery has been shown to restore sexual function," Harden reported.
She continued, "Treatments for sexual dysfunction include testosterone replacement, although transdermal testosterone replacement is not yet approved by the Food and Drug Administration for women. Given the possibility that women with epilepsy may experience inadequate vasocongestion during arousal, sildenafil may have a useful role, though it has not proved effective for women in general."
The author noted, "This review focuses on potential sexual problems that are faced by women with epilepsy, with the suggestion that proper treatment may alleviate these problems."
Harden published the study in Epilepsy and Behavior (Sexuality in women with epilepsy. Epilepsy Behav, 2005;7(Suppl. 2):S2-S6).
For additional information, contact Cynthia L. Harden, Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, Department of Neurology and Neuroscience, Weill Medical College, Cornell University, New York City, NY 10021, USA. E-mail: clharden@med.cornell.edu.
Publisher contact information for the journal Epilepsy and Behavior is: Academic Press Inc., Elsevier Science, 525 B Street, Suite 1900, San Diego, CA 92101-4495, USA.
Keywords: New York, New York, United States, Epilepsy, Sexual Health, Menopause, Menstrual Cycle, Menstruation, Mental Health, Sexual Dysfunction, Endocrinology, Women.
This article was prepared by Biotech Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2006, Biotech Week via NewsRx.com.
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