Sexual Motivation in Persons with Multiple Sclerosis: A Controlled Cross-Sectional Study

Figures & data

Table 1 Demographic Characteristics of Persons with MS (n=160)

Gender, n (%)
Female	114 (71%)
Male	46 (29%)
Nationality, n (%)
Dutch	115 (72%)
Belgian	45 (28%)
Age (years)
Mean (SD) (minimum-maximum)	45 (10.5) (20–68)
Education level, n (%)
Primary school	2 (1%)
Secondary school	65 (41%)
Higher non-university	63 (39%)
University	24 (15%)
Post-graduate	6 (4%)
Employment status, n (%)
On sick leave or unable to work	53%
Employed or self-employed	31%
Other	16%
Sexual orientation, n (%)
Only towards men, not at all towards women	99 (62%)
Only towards women, not at all towards men	39 (25%)
Mainly towards men, occasionally towards women	11 (7%)
Occasionally towards men	7 (4%)
Towards men and women, mainly women	2 (1%)
Does not find gender important	2 (1%)
Relationship
Having a relationship (n, %)	139 (86%)
Mean duration of relationship (months) (minimum-maximum)	221 (0–804)

Abbreviation: SD, standard deviation.

Table 2 Disease Characteristics of Persons with MS (n=160)

Years since diagnosis, n (%)
0–5 yrs	56 (35%)
6–10 yrs	26 (16%)
11–15 yrs	33 (21%)
16 yrs or more	45 (28%)
Disease modifying treatment, n (%)
Disease modifying treatment	95 (59%)
No disease modifying treatment	65 (41%)
Symptoms interfering with sexual activity, n (%)*
Fatigue	95 (59%)
Loss of energy	92 (58%)
Sensory disturbances	74 (46%)
Problems with certain positions	58 (36%)
Lack of desire	55 (34%)
Less feeling in genitals	53 (33%)
Feeling less confident	45 (28%)
Feeling insecure about body	43 (27%)
Less arousal	42 (26%)
Impact of MS on sexual life, n (%)
Negative or very negative	54 (34%)
Somewhat negative	56 (35%)
No impact	35 (22%)
Positive or very positive	3 (2%)
Do not know	11 (7%)
Overall quality of life, n (%) (0, worst possible – 10, best possible)
4 or less	20 (13%)
5	17 (11%)
6	25 (16%)
7	44 (28%)
8	42 (26%)
9 or more	12 (8%)
Feeling about life as a whole, n (%)
Unhappy or terrible	9 (6%)
Mostly dissatisfied	13 (8%)
Mixed – about equally satisfied and dissatisfied	43 (27%)
Mostly satisfied	70 (44%)
Pleased or delighted	25 (16%)

Note: *More than one symptom possible.

Table 3 YSEX Factors and Sub-Factors Mean Differences Between the MS Group and Controls

	Mean Difference (ATT)	LL99	UL99
Physical	−0.29	−0.40	−0.16
Pleasure	−0.48	−0.69	−0.28
Stress reduction	−0.24	−0.34	−0.13
Physical desirability	−0.16	−0.37	−0.03
Experience seeking	−0.32	−0.46	−0.17
Goal attainment	−0.02	−0.05	0.00
Resources	−0.02	−0.03	0.00
Social status	−0.03	−0.06	0.00
Revenge	−0.03	−0.05	−0.01
Utilitarian	−0.03	−0.08	0.02
Emotional	−0.23	−0.40	−0.06
Love and commitment	−0.27	−0.49	−0.05
Expression	−0.17	−0.29	−0.04
Insecurity	−0.10	−0.19	−0.03
Self-esteem boost	−0.23	−0.35	−0.09
Duty/pressure	−0.05	−0.13	0.02
Mate guarding	−0.05	−0.16	0.05

Note: A larger negative number reflects lower proportions of engaging in sexual activity in the MS group compared with the control group.

Abbreviations: ATT, Averige Treatment Effect of the Treated; LL99, lower level 99% CI; UL99, upper level 99% CI.

Table 4 The ten Highest-Scoring YSEX Items in the MS Group (n=157)

	#	Factor	Mean (Min. 0 - Max. 5)	SD
It feels good.	13	P	3.45	1.33
It’s fun.	16	P	3.37	1.39
I wanted to express my love for the person.	95	E	3.18	1.51
I wanted to experience the physical pleasure.	14	P	3.16	1.40
I wanted to communicate at a “deeper” level.	94	E	3.15	1.53
I wanted to intensify my relationship.	97	E	3.07	1.50
I was “horny”.	15	P	2.89	1.40
It’s exciting, adventurous.	19	P	2.86	1.37
I wanted to show my affection to the person.	96	E	2.80	1.49
I desired emotional closeness (ie, intimacy).	98	E	2.74	1.61

Abbreviations: #, YSEX item number; min, minimum; max, maximum; SD, standard deviation; P, physical; E, emotional.

Table 5 The ten Highest-Scoring YSEX Items in the Control Group After Propensity Score Matching for Age, Sex, Relationship, Duration of Relationship, and Educational Level (n=157)

	#	Factor	Mean (Min. 0 - Max. 5)	SD
It feels good.	13	P	3.89	1.03
It’s fun.	16	P	3.83	1.16
I wanted to experience the physical pleasure.	14	P	3.69	1.17
I wanted to communicate at a “deeper” level.	94	E	3.45	1.40
It’s exciting, adventurous.	19	P	3.41	1.24
I wanted to intensify my relationship.	97	E	3.39	1.44
I was “horny”.	15	P	3.38	1.21
I wanted to express my love for the person.	95	E	3.32	1.50
I wanted the pure pleasure.	17	P	3.29	1.23
I wanted to achieve an orgasm.	18	P	3.23	1.22

Abbreviations: #, YSEX item number; min, minimum; max, maximum; SD, standard deviation; P, physical; E, emotional.