Assessment of sexual satisfaction in relation to potential sexual problems in women with multiple sclerosis: A pilot study

Rashmi D. Sahay; Erin N. Haynes; M. B. Rao; Istvan Pirko

doi:10.1007/s11195-011-9242-4

Assessment of sexual satisfaction in relation to potential sexual problems in women with multiple sclerosis: A pilot study

Rashmi D. Sahay, Erin N. Haynes, M. B. Rao, Istvan Pirko

Epidemiology & Environmental Health

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

4 Scopus citations

Abstract

Changes in sexual functioning are common in Multiple Sclerosis (MS) patients, but its impact on women's sexual satisfaction remains unclear. The study examined the level of sexual satisfaction in relation to sexual functioning changes and explored the factors associated with overall sexual wellbeing in women with MS. A cross-sectional anonymous survey was administered to 160 women during routine MS clinic visits. Sexual satisfaction was assessed using a modified version of the Female Sexual Functioning Index. One-hundred-forty-four subjects completed the entire survey with a 90% completion rate. Subject's mean age was 42 (SD 10.2) years. Mean MS duration was 8.7 (SD 6.9) years. The majority reported Relapsing-Remitting form of MS (79%) and were walking independently (73%). Presence of at least one bladder and bowel problem was noticed in 54/144 and 69/144 subjects respectively. Generalized sexual satisfaction was demonstrated in this cohort of women (44%). Respondents reported extreme satisfaction with their partner-relationship (35%), highest satisfaction for frequency of sexual activity (48%) and highest dissatisfaction for sexual desire (33%). Frequency of sexual activity and sexual desire ranked highest for having an impact on overall sex life. Other factors in the descending order of importance were: natural wetness, sexual arousal, orgasm, partnerrelationship and disease duration.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	227-236
Number of pages	10
Journal	Sexuality and Disability
Volume	30
Issue number	2
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1007/s11195-011-9242-4
State	Published - Jun 2012

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
Acknowledgments The research reported in this paper was part of a master’s thesis by Rashmi D.Sahay at the University of Cincinnati. No financial support was provided for this research. The authors wish to thank all the participants of the study. We are grateful to Dr. Maria Melanson and the staff of Waddell Center of Multiple Sclerosis at University of Cincinnati for their help. The corresponding author takes responsibility for the integrity of the data and the accuracy of the data analysis. Currently, the corresponding author is supported by the training grant NIEHS T32ES10957.

Keywords

Multiple Sclerosis
Sexual functioning
Sexual satisfaction
United States
Women's response

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation
Rehabilitation

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10.1007/s11195-011-9242-4

Cite this

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title = "Assessment of sexual satisfaction in relation to potential sexual problems in women with multiple sclerosis: A pilot study",

abstract = "Changes in sexual functioning are common in Multiple Sclerosis (MS) patients, but its impact on women's sexual satisfaction remains unclear. The study examined the level of sexual satisfaction in relation to sexual functioning changes and explored the factors associated with overall sexual wellbeing in women with MS. A cross-sectional anonymous survey was administered to 160 women during routine MS clinic visits. Sexual satisfaction was assessed using a modified version of the Female Sexual Functioning Index. One-hundred-forty-four subjects completed the entire survey with a 90% completion rate. Subject's mean age was 42 (SD 10.2) years. Mean MS duration was 8.7 (SD 6.9) years. The majority reported Relapsing-Remitting form of MS (79%) and were walking independently (73%). Presence of at least one bladder and bowel problem was noticed in 54/144 and 69/144 subjects respectively. Generalized sexual satisfaction was demonstrated in this cohort of women (44%). Respondents reported extreme satisfaction with their partner-relationship (35%), highest satisfaction for frequency of sexual activity (48%) and highest dissatisfaction for sexual desire (33%). Frequency of sexual activity and sexual desire ranked highest for having an impact on overall sex life. Other factors in the descending order of importance were: natural wetness, sexual arousal, orgasm, partnerrelationship and disease duration.",

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note = "Funding Information: Acknowledgments The research reported in this paper was part of a master{\textquoteright}s thesis by Rashmi D.Sahay at the University of Cincinnati. No financial support was provided for this research. The authors wish to thank all the participants of the study. We are grateful to Dr. Maria Melanson and the staff of Waddell Center of Multiple Sclerosis at University of Cincinnati for their help. The corresponding author takes responsibility for the integrity of the data and the accuracy of the data analysis. Currently, the corresponding author is supported by the training grant NIEHS T32ES10957.",

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AU - Pirko, Istvan

N1 - Funding Information: Acknowledgments The research reported in this paper was part of a master’s thesis by Rashmi D.Sahay at the University of Cincinnati. No financial support was provided for this research. The authors wish to thank all the participants of the study. We are grateful to Dr. Maria Melanson and the staff of Waddell Center of Multiple Sclerosis at University of Cincinnati for their help. The corresponding author takes responsibility for the integrity of the data and the accuracy of the data analysis. Currently, the corresponding author is supported by the training grant NIEHS T32ES10957.

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Assessment of sexual satisfaction in relation to potential sexual problems in women with multiple sclerosis: A pilot study

Abstract

Bibliographical note

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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