Abstract
Sexual dysfunction is well recognized as a complication of neurological conditions. However, the sexual problems affecting women with neurological disease are not well described. The etiology of female sexual dysfunction in neurological conditions is multifactorial. There are both psychological and physiological etiologies that can be difficult to separate. The more common psychological problems arise from difficulty adapting to a chronic, and sometimes progressive, illness. Physiological causes of sexual dysfunction in neurological disease include disruption of regions of the cerebral cortex mediating sexual behavior and response; neuroendocrine or neurochemical dysfunction; and motor, sensory, or autonomic neuropathy Sexual dysfunction may be a consequence of the neurological disease or the pharmacologic therapy. Female sexual dysfunction in neurological conditions affecting primarily the autonomic nervous system has not been well studied. It is important for physicians to recognize symptoms of sexual dysfunction since there are treatments available that can improve the patient's quality of life.
