Sexual functions in women with focal epilepsy: Relationship to demographic, clinical, hormonal and psychological variables.

OBJECTIVES

Sexual dysfunctions [SDs] are common in women with epilepsy [WWE] but related studies were neglected in our locality. We aimed to determine the frequencies and severities of SDs and their clinical, hormonal and psychological determinants in WWE.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This study included 120 adults [mean age: 36.35 ± 2.89yrs] with temporal [63.33 %] and frontal [36.67 %] lobe epilepsies and treated with carbamazepine [CBZ] [n = 60] or oxcarbazepine [OXC] [n = 60] for mean duration of 18.63 ± 4.33yrs. Patients were assessed using Female Sexual Function Index [FSFI] questionnaire, Beck Depression Inventory [BDI-II] and Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale [HAM-A]. Total testosterone, sex hormone binding globulin [SHBG] and free androgen index [FAI] were measured to assess endocrinal status.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This study included 120 adults [mean age: 36.35 ± 2.89yrs] with temporal [63.33 %] and frontal [36.67 %] lobe epilepsies and treated with carbamazepine [CBZ] [n = 60] or oxcarbazepine [OXC] [n = 60] for mean duration of 18.63 ± 4.33yrs. Patients were assessed using Female Sexual Function Index [FSFI] questionnaire, Beck Depression Inventory [BDI-II] and Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale [HAM-A]. Total testosterone, sex hormone binding globulin [SHBG] and free androgen index [FAI] were measured to assess endocrinal status.

RESULTS

The majority had occasional/rare frequency of seizures [76.67 %] and well controlled on antiepileptic drugs [AEDs] [81.67 %]. Compared to healthy women, WWE had lower total testosterone and FAI and higher SHBG levels. Compared to women on CBZ, those on OXC had lower frequency and well controlled seizures on medication [P = 0.0001 for both], higher testosterone [P = 0.01] and FAI [P = 0.001] and lower SHBG [P = 0.001] levels. Compared to controls, WWE had significantly higher frequencies and severities of SDs [total sexual function, desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction and pain] and depression and anxiety symptoms. OXC therapy was associated with lower SDs [FSFI: P = 0.033] and anxiety symptoms [P = 0.025] compared to CBZ therapy. In multiple logistic regression analyses, determinants of SDs were the higher seizures frequency, increasing severities of depression and anxiety but not lower androgen levels or type of epilepsy or AEDs.

CONCLUSIONS

Different aspects of SD and depression and anxiety symptoms were frequent in WWE. Determinants of SDs were the higher frequency of seizures and increasing severities of depression and anxiety. OXC had better control on seizures and thus lower frequencies and severities of SDs and depression and anxiety symptoms. Thus optimizing seizure control is important for psychological state and healthy sexual function in WWE.