Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Sexual Dysfunction in a Nigerian Stroke Cohort: A Comparative Cross-Sectional Study

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Sexuality and Disability Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Sexual dysfunction is common among individuals who are post-stroke but this rarely attracts attention among clinicians during stroke management. The aim of this study was to assess prevalence of sexual dysfunction among Nigeria stroke survivors and their age and sex matched healthy controls, and determines the correlates of sexual dysfunction among stroke survivors. A comparative cross-sectional study of 121 stroke survivors and sex matched 121 healthy controls completed 14-item Changes in Sexual Functioning Questionnaire. Associated factors with sexual dysfunction were assessed. Male and female stroke survivors of similar age and healthy controls participated in the study. The stroke survivors had significant lower sexual functioning with higher prevalence of sexual dysfunction (84%) compared with healthy controls (35%) and these remained unchanged when stratified by gender and sexual response cycles. Females had consistent significant higher prevalence of sexual dysfunction than their male counterparts either as a stroke survivor (95 vs. 75%) or a healthy individual (50 vs. 21%). Only increase in age and female gender were significant correlates of sexual dysfunction. Every one-year increase in age has a 6.7% (OR 1.067, CI 1.012–1.125) increase in odds of having sexual dysfunction among stroke survivors. Female stroke survivors compared with male were seven times (OR 6.934, CI 1.645–29.226) more likely to be sexually dysfunctional. In conclusion, the stroke survivors have significant lower sexual functioning and higher sexual dysfunction compared with apparently healthy controls which suggest that stroke impacted sexual functionality in post-stroke individuals. Being a female and/or with increase in age are significant associated factors to low sexual functioning.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Yilmaz, S.D., Gumus, H., Yilmaz, H.: Sexual life of post stroke women with mild or no disability: a qualitative study. J. Sex Marital Ther. 41(2), 145–154 (2015). doi:10.1080/0092623X.2013.864365

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Oyewole, O.O., Ogunlana, M.O., Oritogun, K.S., Gbiri, C.A.: Post-stroke disability and its predictors among nigerian stroke survivors. Disabil. Health J. 9(4), 616–623 (2016). doi:10.1016/j.dhjo.2016.05.011

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Chen, C.-H., Lin, Y.-C., Chiu, L.-H., Chu, Y.-H., Ruan, F.-F., Liu, W.-M., Wang, P.-H.: Female sexual dysfunction: definition, classification, and debates. Taiwan. J. Obstet. Gynecol. 52, 3–7 (2013)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. McCool, M.E., Theurich, M.A., Apfelbacher, C.: Prevalence and predictors of female sexual dysfunction: a protocol for a systematic review. Syst. Rev. 3, 75 (2014)

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  5. Korpelainen, J.T., Nieminen, P., Myllylä, V.V.: Sexual functioning among stroke patients and their spouses. Stroke 30, 715–719 (1999)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Cheung, R.T.: Sexual functioning in Chinese stroke patients with mild or no disability. Cerebrovasc. Dis. 14(2), 122–128 (2002)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Tamam, Y., Tamam, L., Akil, E., Yasan, A., Tamam, B.: Post-stroke sexual functioning in first stroke patients. Eur. J. Neurol. 15(7), 660–666 (2008). doi:10.1111/j.1468-1331.2008.02184.x

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Rosenbaum, T., Vadas, D., Kalichman, L.: Sexual function in post-stroke patients: considerations for rehabilitation. J. Sex. Med. 11(1), 15–21 (2014). doi:10.1111/jsm.12343

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Mellor, R.M., Greenfield, S.M., Dowswell, G., Sheppard, J.P., Quinn, T., McManus, R.J.: Health care professionals’ views on discussing sexual wellbeing with patients who have had a stroke: a qualitative study. PLoS ONE 8(10), e78802 (2013). doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0078802

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  10. Thompson, S.B., Walker, L.: Sexual dysfunction after stroke: underestimating the importance of psychological and physical issues. Webmed Cent. Phys. Med. 2(9), WMC002281 (2011)

    Google Scholar 

  11. Giaquinto, S., Buzzelli, S., Di Francesco, L., Nolfe, G.: Evaluation of sexual changes after stroke. J. Clin. Psychiatry 64(3), 302–307 (2003)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Jung, J.H., Kam, S.C., Choi, S.M., Jae, S.U., Lee, S.H., Hyun, J.S.: Sexual dysfunction in male stroke patients: correlation between brain lesions and sexual function. Urology 71(1), 99–103 (2008). doi:10.1016/j.urology.2007.08.045

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Seymour, L.M., Wolf, T.J.: Participation changes in sexual functioning after mild stroke. OTJR (Thorofare NJ) 34(2), 72–80 (2014). doi:10.3928/15394492-20131217-01

    Google Scholar 

  14. Stein, J., Hillinger, M., Clancy, C., Bishop, L.: Sexuality after stroke: patient counseling preferences. Disabil. Rehabil. 35(21), 1842–1847 (2013)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Akinpelu, A.O., Osose, A.A., Odole, A.C., Odunaiya, N.A.: Sexual dysfunction in Nigerian stroke survivors. Afr. Health Sci. 13(3), 639–645 (2013)

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  16. Bener, A., Al-Hamaq, A.O.A.A., Kamran, S., Al-Ansari, A.: Prevalence of erectile dysfunction in male stroke patients, and associated co-morbidities and risk factors. Int. Urol. Nephrol. 40(3), 701–708 (2008)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Park, J.-H., Ovbiagele, B., Feng, W.: Stroke and sexual dysfunction—a narrative review. J. Neurol. Sci. 350, 7–13 (2015)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Lamina, S., Hanif, S.M., Darnley, I.K.O., Ahmad, R.Y.: Effect of cerebrovascular accident on sexual function of male hemiplegic patients. J. Med. Rehabil. 1(1), 15–18 (2007)

    Google Scholar 

  19. Schmitz, M.A., Finkelstein, M.: Perspectives on post stroke sexual issues and rehabilitation needs. Top. Stroke Rehabil. 17(3), 204–213 (2010). doi:10.1310/tsr1703-204

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Cohen, J.: Statistical Power Analysis for Behavioural Sciences, 2nd edn. Lawrence Erlbaum Associate, USA (1988)

    Google Scholar 

  21. Keller, A., McGarvey, E.L., Clayton, A.H.: Reliability and construct validity of the Changes in Sexual Functioning Questionnaire Short-Form (CSFQ-14). J. Sex Marital Ther. 32, 43–52 (2006)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Llaneza, P., FernándezIñarrea, J.M., Arnott, B., García-Portilla, M.P., Chedraui, P., Pérez-López, F.R.: Sexual function assessment in postmenopausal women with the 14-item Changes in Sexual Functioning Questionnaire. J. Sex. Med. 8, 2144–2151 (2011)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Nascimento, E.R., Maia, A.C., Pereira, V., Soares-Filho, G., Nardi, A.E., Silva, A.C.: Sexual dysfunction and cardiovascular diseases: a systematic review of prevalence. Clinics 68(11), 1462–1468 (2013)

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  24. Ng, L., Sansom, J., Zhang, N.Y., Khan, F.: Interventions for sexual dysfunction following stroke. Cochrane Database Syst. Rev. (2014). doi:10.1002/14651858.CD011189

    PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  25. Rodrigues, I.V., da Silva Filho, M.S., de Lima Neto, J.A., Neto, M.L.R.: Post-stroke sexual dysfunction: obstacles to promote a comprehensive care. Int. Arch. Med. 9(33), 1–3 (2016). doi:10.3823/1904

    Google Scholar 

  26. Oyewole, O.O., Ogunlana, M.O., Gbiri, C.A.O., Oritogun, K.S.: Prevalence and impact of disability and sexual dysfunction on Health Related Quality of Life of Nigerian stroke survivors. Disabil. Rehabil. (2016). doi:10.1080/09638288.2016.1219395

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Beutel, M.E., Stöbel-Richter, Y., Brähler, E.: Sexual desire and sexual activity of men and women across their life spans: results from a representative German community survey. BJU Int. 101, 76–82 (2007). doi:10.1111/j.1464-410X.2007.07204.x

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Amidu, N., Owiredu, W.K.B.A., Gyasi-Sarpong, C.K., Woode, E., Quaye, L.: Sexual dysfunction among married couples living in Kumasi metropolis, Ghana. BMC Urol. 11, 3 (2011)

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  29. Fajewonyomi, B.A., Orji, E.O., Adeyemo, A.O.: Sexual dysfunction among female patients of reproductive age in a hospital setting in Nigeria. J Health Popul. Nutr. 25(1), 101–106 (2007)

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physiotherapy, Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, PMB 2001, Sagamu, Nigeria

    Olufemi O. Oyewole

  2. Department of Physiotherapy, Federal Medical Centre, PMB 3031, Abeokuta, Nigeria

    Michael O. Ogunlana

  3. Department of Physiotherapy, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, PMB 12003, Lagos, Nigeria

    Caleb A. O. Gbiri

  4. Department of Community Medicine and Primary Care, Olabisi Onabanjo University, OACHS, PMB 2022, Sagamu, Nigeria

    Kolawole S. Oritogun

Authors
  1. Olufemi O. Oyewole
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Michael O. Ogunlana
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Caleb A. O. Gbiri
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Kolawole S. Oritogun
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Olufemi O. Oyewole.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Appendices

Appendix 1

See Table 3.

Table 3 Internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha) of CSFQ-14 for stroke survivors and healthy controls: scales and total
Full size table

Appendix 2

See Table 4.

Table 4 Sexual dysfunction and its associated factors among stroke survivors
Full size table

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Oyewole, O.O., Ogunlana, M.O., Gbiri, C.A.O. et al. Sexual Dysfunction in a Nigerian Stroke Cohort: A Comparative Cross-Sectional Study. Sex Disabil 35, 341–351 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11195-017-9488-6

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11195-017-9488-6

Keywords

Search

Navigation