Identifying barriers to help-seeking for sexual dysfunction in multiple sclerosis

Tudor, Katarina Ivana; Eames, Stefani; Haslam, Collette; Chataway, Jeremy; Liechti, Martina D.; Panicker, Jalesh N.

doi:10.1007/s00415-018-9064-8

Cited by 40 publications

(28 citation statements)

References 37 publications

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“…Both patients and healthcare professionals find it difficult to broach sexual dysfunction in the clinic; having family or friends in the room is an important impeding factor. Other key barriers for patients include the priority of other neurological symptoms and that sexual problems are not often enquired about during the conversation, whereas healthcare professionals report a lack of knowledge in the field and inadequate time during the appointment 6. To provide a more conducive setting for initiating a discussion about sexual difficulties, clinicians should provide an opportunity for the patient to be seen alone in a safe and confidential environment.…”

Section: Assessmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Embarrassment is an important barrier to addressing this topic for both healthcare professionals and patients 6. It can help first to enquire about less embarrassing pelvic organ complaints, such as bladder and bowel dysfunction, before stating that sexual problems also occur and asking if they would like to discuss this.…”

Section: Assessmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Yet in MS it is an under-reported, under-recognised and under-treated symptom. People with MS and healthcare professionals report several barriers to addressing sexual dysfunction in the clinic, with clinician’s lack of knowledge about sexual dysfunction being their major reason 6. There are substantially more treatment options for men, particularly pharmacological, than for women.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A practical approach to assessing and managing sexual dysfunction in multiple sclerosis

Haslam

Pakzad

et al. 2019

Pract Neurol

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Sexual dysfunction is common in both men and women with multiple sclerosis but is often under-reported and undertreated. Neurologists report that a major barrier to discussing sexual dysfunction with patients is their lack of knowledge. Here we review the common presentations of sexual dysfunction, discuss its causes in people with multiple sclerosis, and provide a practical approach for neurologists to assess and manage these problems.

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Section: Assessmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Assessmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A practical approach to assessing and managing sexual dysfunction in multiple sclerosis

Haslam

Pakzad

et al. 2019

Pract Neurol

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“…There are several reasons that health care providers are unable to address sexual function in this community including presence of family or friends, not being asked, and inadequate time during the clinical visits [ 6 ]. However, recently we are witnessing growing concern on sexual dysfunction in women with multiple sclerosis especially among women with younger age.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Factors associated with intimacy and sexuality among young women with multiple sclerosis

Mohammadi

Rahnama

Rafei³

et al. 2020

Reprod Health

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Background Patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) especially those with younger age experience an alteration in physiological and emotional lifestyle that can affect intimacy and sexuality . The aim of this study was to determine demographic and disease related determinants of intimacy and sexuality in young women with MS. Methods This was a cross sectional study carried out in Tehran, Iran. A convenience sample of young women aged ≤35 years old with MS attending to outpatient clinics in a teaching hospital affiliated to Tehran University of Medical Sciences was entered into the study. The Multiple Sclerosis Intimacy and Sexuality Questionnaire-19 (MSISQ-19) was used to evaluate how the disease influences sexual function and satisfaction in these patients. Multivariable analysis using hierarchical method was performed to identify variables that are associated with intimacy and sexuality. Results In total 117 young women with confirmed diagnosis of MS were included in the study. Participants mean was 25.7 (SD = 8.07) years. A multivariable hierarchical regression analysis was performed using demographic variables entered in step one, relevant neurological variables in step two, and psychological variables in step three. Furthermore, we loaded antidepressant use in the last step. Overall, the seven variables accounted for 39% of total variance observed for the MSISQ score ( P < 0.001). At step one the demographic variables accounted for 13% of the variance in the MSISQ score ( P < 0.001). At step two the inclusion of relevant neurological variables increased the R 2 significantly and explained 27% of variance for the MSISQ (P < 0.001). However in the third step the inclusion of psychological factors increased R 2 significantly (adjusted R 2 increased to 0.39, P < 0.001). Conclusions The findings indicated that psychological, disease-related and demographic factors (education and employment status) contributed to intimacy and sexuality in young women with multiple sclerosis. Appropriate interventions, especially psychological interventions, appear to be essential immediately following a definite MS diagnosis in young women.

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“…Another reason could be the barriers for people with MS and health care professionals to talk about intimacy and sexual dysfunction. A recent study 22 found that the most common barriers reported by patients were the perceived dominance of neurologic symptoms, the presence of family or friends, and not being asked. Barriers reported by health care professionals were the presence of family or friends, lack of knowledge about sexual dysfunction, and inadequate time during the consultation.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Psychobehavioral Treatment Options for Sexual Dysfunction in Multiple Sclerosis

Pöttgen¹,

Vis²,

Nunen³

et al. 2020

International Journal of MS Care

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Background: Sexual dysfunction in multiple sclerosis (MS) is a significant but overlooked impairment, and treatment options are rare. The aims of this systematic review were to identify psychological interventions used to treat sexual dysfunction in MS, to estimate their benefit, and to note appropriate treatment approaches for research projects and clinical use. Methods: A systematic review update was conducted to find psychological interventions aiming to improve sexual dysfunction in MS. A comprehensive search and review of MEDLINE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and PubMed were completed, and the effects and quality of selected studies were reported. Results: Six publications with 295 participants were identified. All selected studies assessed the effectiveness of psychological interventions on sexual dysfunction or sexual satisfaction in people with MS; four studies directly targeted sexual dysfunction in MS, one was a mindfulness yoga program to improve fatigue and quality of life, and one other presented a secondary analysis of a study targeting depression in MS. All six studies reported significant improvements in sexual dysfunction or sexual satisfaction and somewhat in psychological variables. Conclusions: A pressing need for development and adequate evaluation of psychological interventions for sexual dysfunction in MS remains. In addition, assessment of sexual dysfunction in MS and its treatment should be more focused in clinical care.

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Identifying barriers to help-seeking for sexual dysfunction in multiple sclerosis

Abstract: Barriers to discussing SD are similar between patients and HCPs. The most common barriers are addressable through modifications in the clinic environment, raising awareness and providing training opportunities.

Cited by 40 publications

References 37 publications

A practical approach to assessing and managing sexual dysfunction in multiple sclerosis

A practical approach to assessing and managing sexual dysfunction in multiple sclerosis

Factors associated with intimacy and sexuality among young women with multiple sclerosis

Psychobehavioral Treatment Options for Sexual Dysfunction in Multiple Sclerosis

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