Psychosocial Factors and Sexual Function in Men with Epilepsy

New findings reinforce the idea that sexual dysfunction in men with epilepsy is a complicated problem in which psychosocial factors are probably at least as important as biochemistry.

To investigate the impact of epilepsy on sexual function, these authors examined reproductive hormones and psychosocial factors in 60 men with epilepsy seen at a single center. Friends or partners served as controls. The researchers assayed participants’ blood samples for several forms of testosterone and sex-hormone–binding proteins and administered questionnaires about depression, anxiety, and sexual function.

Men with epilepsy had significantly lower desire and confidence in their sexual performance than did controls, although these factors varied widely within each group. Depression and anxiety scores accounted for much of this variation in desire and confidence, whereas there was little association between any endocrine measure and desi…

Reviewing Author

Daniel B. Hoch, MD, PhD