Sexuality and Multiple Sclerosis: Patient and Doctor Perspectives

Abstract

Background: Little is known on how to address sexuality in clinical care for patients with multiple sclerosis (pwMS).

Aim: To describe and contrast the perception of sexuality and associated aspects of communication in pwMS and their treating neurologists ("MSologists") and provide a standard of care.

Methods: Patients were surveyed using a 13-item questionnaire investigating perception on their own sexuality and opinions on communication about sexuality in context with MS. Certified MSologists in Austria received an 18-item survey regarding their approach to taking a sexual history of their patients.

Outcomes: We report the frequency of answers given in this survey and propose a possible standard of care how sexuality could be addressed in clinical routine.

Results: Ninety-three pwMS (mean age 39 ± 11 years, 57% female) and 75 MSologists (mean age 43 ± 9 years, 63% male) completed this survey. Seventy-six percent of patients report their own sexuality as being (very) important to them and 95% think that sexual dysfunction would influence their quality of life. 84% would like to be asked about their sexuality by their MSologist. In contrast, only 15% of MSologists reported discussing sexuality with every patient. The most common reason for not doing so was a fear of crossing personal borders (34%). There is a strong desire for further medical education on this subject (76%).

Clinical implications: Discussing sexuality is important to pwMS and MSologists should consider their patients' wishes and needs to talk about it.

Strengths & limitations: This is the largest survey contrasting the views of patients and their treating physicians on the topic of communication about sexuality. The use of an empirical unvalidated questionnaire may have introduced bias. Moreover, patients that are open to talk about their sexuality may be potentially overrepresented in this study.

Conclusion: MSologists should offer their patients an open opportunity and appropriate framework to discuss their sexuality during a consultation. Altmann P, Leithner K, Leutmezer F, et al. Sexuality and Multiple Sclerosis: Patient and Doctor Perspectives. J Sex Med 2021;18:743-749.

Keywords: Barriers; Communication; Multiple Sclerosis; Sexuality.