Neurological disease in women: how does it affect sexuality

Neurological diseases cause alterations in sexual response. In fact, many patients consider that one of the most important consequences of this type of disease is the sexual sphere.

There are many neurological pathologies that can have effects on female sexuality and fertility, and can alter some of the functions of the organism: traumatic injuries, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, stroke, Parkinson’s disease….

In this sense, neurological disorders can cause changes in sexual stimuli, altering sexual response or desire. In addition, orgasms can lead to epileptic seizures.

Even so, medical and surgical advances have made it possible to improve the quality of life of these people, because new fertility and assisted reproduction techniques have made it possible to solve many problems that affect women suffering from neurological disabilities.

The relationship between sexual pleasure and brain stimulation

Sex, like many other functions, begins in the brain. Moreover, there is a direct relationship between the action of the autonomic nerves that connect the central nervous system with the genitals.

For this reason, any pathology that causes alterations in this action will have serious consequences on sexuality and fertility.

Sexual alterations in case of acquired brain damage

After a cranioencephalic trauma, the brain areas that are activated during the sexual response can be affected depending on the amount of brain tissue and the damaged area. In addition, psychological factors can also have a negative influence on sexuality, such as anxiety or depression.

Sexual disturbances after stroke

The frequency and severity of sexual disturbances after a stroke are very similar to those occurring after a traumatic brain injury, according to the results of some studies.

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First of all, the effects of a stroke have a direct influence on the posture and movements performed during sexual intercourse. Some of the difficulties observed are excessive saliva, incontinence and other behaviors that do not contribute to stimulation or attraction. As in the case of acquired brain damage, psychosocial factors directly influence sexuality in general.

Sexual disturbances in Parkinson’s disease

People suffering from Parkinson’s suffer from sexual dissatisfaction due to age, the severity of the disease and the depression associated with this pathology.

Sexual alterations in case of spinal cord injury

Although a spinal cord injury may have consequences on sexuality, when the psychic and physical readjustments of the injury are established, the desire to have sexual relations corresponds to the age of the woman, as well as tendencies and cravings. In this sense, the ability to have an orgasm will depend on the severity of the lesion.

Sexual alterations in case of multiple sclerosis

Most women suffering from multiple sclerosis have dysfunctional sexual relations.

Gynecological aspects related to reproductive function

The reproductive function of women affected by a neurological disorder is usually not affected.

It is essential that those women with neurological disability who have gestational desire go to a specialist in Gynecology and Obstetrics to make a complete assessment of the pathology, reviewing the drugs you are taking so that they do not influence the development of pregnancy. Although the pregnancy may proceed normally, it must be monitored by a high-risk unit, because it may have complications.

In this regard, the most serious complication that can occur in pregnant patients with spinal cord injury is neurovegetative dysreflexia.

In any case, pregnancy does not depend on the injury, so that those women who have a traumatic injury or neurological disease can become pregnant.