Post-stroke sexual dysfunction: an overlooked and under-addressed problem

Abstract

Sexual disorders after stroke are thought to be due to multiple etiologies, including both organic and psychosocial causes. Sexual function in post-stroke patients is often disregarded by healthcare professionals although sexuality is a fundamental part of quality of life. Beside pharmacological treatment, one of the most important, but underestimated, success factors of SD therapy is undeniably a proper counseling, which is mandatory to provide correct information on post-stroke sexuality helping the patients and their partners to regain intimacy.

Implications for Rehabilitation

• Sexuality is an integrant and essential part of QoL, and patient affected by stroke should be investigated and treated for sexual disorders.

• Stroke may alter sexual response by changing the process of sexual stimuli to preclude arousal, decreasing or increasing desire, and curtailing genital engorgement.

• There is a need for a better management of stroke-related problems, including SD, providing the patients and their partner information useful to achieve a better sexual health.

• Counseling
• post-stroke sexual dysfunction
• quality of life