![]() The first step is to recognize the problem. So what should I do if I have problems in my sex life? Women with epilepsy are more likely than others to have irregular menstrual cycles, polycystic ovaries, and endocrine disorders involving the reproductive system. One survey showed that 57% of men with epilepsy had recently experienced erectile failure, compared to 18% of other men. Men with epilepsy are known to have a greater risk for erectile dysfunction. The people with epilepsy had a much smaller increase in genital blood flow, a key factor in sexual arousal. In one study, an erotic videotape was shown to men and women with temporal lobe epilepsy and to other adults who did not have epilepsy. 3īoth changes in the brain due to seizures and extended exposure to seizure medicines can affect the way your body functions. One study of patients with poorly controlled epilepsy found that 68% had no personal friends and over half had never been in a steady relationship. The jump from primates to humans is a big one, but clearly people with epilepsy often have a difficult time making connections to others. 2 They had difficulty in a wide range of areas, from increased fear in social situations to decreased contact with others. Primates (animals like apes or monkeys) that had such damage were unable to socially interact as well as others. Support for this idea has been found in studies of animals. Some researchers suggest that certain kinds of damage to the temporal lobe (which frequently occur in partial epilepsy) leave people unable to recognize subtle cues that are part of establishing an intimate relationship. Increased amounts of LH can lower sexual drive. In women, these medications may increase the level of luteinizing hormone (LH). Low levels of testosterone are linked to reduced sexual desire. ![]() In men, these medications may reduce the level of free testosterone (the main male hormone). Several common seizure medicines, including Dilantin (phenytoin), Tegretol (carbamazepine), and phenobarbital, have been shown to affect hormone levels. In the same way, seizure medicines can affect your sex life. You may eat less, sleep more, or feel drowsy, for instance. When you take any kind of medicine, your body begins to function a little differently. But in fact, very few people report having a seizure during intercourse. If you think sex is a dangerous situation, you will enjoy it less and may even avoid it. You also may be afraid that sex will provoke a seizure. If you are hiding your epilepsy from your spouse or partner, that secrecy will create distance between you. You may believe that you will be rejected if the other person knows you have epilepsy, so you may not even try to establish relationships that could become intimate. The most common change is a general lessening of sexual interest and activity, sometimes called hyposexuality.įear often is an underlying factor in sexual problems. Whatever the reasons behind the silence, there is no need to suffer. ![]() According to one study, only 13% of epilepsy patients have had a conversation about sex with their doctor. ![]() Doctors often are reluctant to bring up such intimate topics up in the course of a visit, and many patients do not feel comfortable talking about sex. Even if this kind of problem has affected you, you may not have discussed it with your doctor or someone else who might provide real support and help. As many as two-thirds of people with epilepsy face some change in sexual desire, behavior, or activity as a result of their seizures.
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