SEXUAL FUNCTION IN WOMEN WITH ADVANCED MULTIPLE-SCLEROSIS

Changes in sexual function in 47 women with advanced multiple sclerosi s are described. Twenty eight (59.6%) of the women reported decreased sexual desire. Seventeen (36.2%) reported decreased lubrication. Five (10.6%) others did not know if they lubricated or not. Eighteen women (38.3%) reported diminished orgasmic capacity and six (12.8%) others h ad never had an orgasm. Sensory dysfunction in the genital area was ex perienced by 61.7% of the women and 76.6% had weakness of the pelvic m uscles. Sixty six per cent had bowel problems and 89.4% had bladder dy sfunction. The changes in sexual function correlated both with neurolo gical symptoms from the sacral segments, such as weakness of the pelvi c floor and bladder and bowel dysfunction, and to other symptoms such as ataxia and vertigo as well as with age and the occurrence of amenor rhoea. A significant correlation was found between expanded disability status scale (EDSS) score and cohabitation. Problems with sexual func tion were reported significantly more often by women with lower EDSS s cores. Most women (83%) found the interview a positive experience.