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Sexuality in multiple sclerosis

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Summary.

Sexuality and partnership have an important influence on the quality of life of every person and also on people with chronic disorders such as multiple sclerosis. The findings in literature show high evidence that people with multiple sclerosis experience high levels of sexual dysfunction, most of them with hypoactive sexual behaviour often associated with dissatisfaction in relationship, and also the partners seem to show lower sexual and partnership satisfaction. The most common problems in women are lack of sexual interest and decreased libido, often with problems in orgasmic capacity, while men report erectile dysfunction and also lack of sexual interest. The impact of the level of disability and duration of the illness remains unclear. Positive familial support can often help the patient in coping with the illness, nonetheless problems with changing roles and multiple-sclerosis-minimizing can improve the need of contacts to outstanding persons.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University Clinic of Psychiatry, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria

    E. Z. Schmidt, P. Hofmann, H.-P. Kapfhammer & R. M. Bonelli

  2. Department of Neurology and Psychiatry, Hospital BHB Eggenberg, Graz, Austria

    G. Niederwieser

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  1. E. Z. Schmidt
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  2. P. Hofmann
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  3. G. Niederwieser
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  4. H.-P. Kapfhammer
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  5. R. M. Bonelli
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Schmidt, E., Hofmann, P., Niederwieser, G. et al. Sexuality in multiple sclerosis. J Neural Transm 112, 1201–1211 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00702-005-0275-7

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