Sexual Dysfunction in Focal Epilepsy Patients

Introduction: Sexual dysfunction is frequently seen in epileptic patients. Organic and/or psychological and social causes play a role in the etiology. Material and Method: Thirty patients (15 male, 15 female) from the outpatient epilepsy clinic of Hospital were involved in the study, after informed consent was obtained. In all patients, Hamilton Depression Scale, Hamilton Anxiety Scale and Arizona Sexual Experience Scale were performed. The relationship between depression, anxiety, sexual dysfunction, lesion localization and antiepileptic treatment were evaluated. Results: Sexual dysfunction was found in 73.3% of female and 46.6% of male patients. Sexual dysfunction was more commonly seen in patients with depression and anxiety. Also, patients with mesial temporal sclerosis had more common sexual dysfunction. Monotheraphy or politherapy had not an effect on sexual dysfunction.