Sexual satisfaction of patients after the resection of an epileptic focus

Abstract

Objectives: The resection of an epileptic focus provides a chance for seizure outcome regression, which markedly influences the level of patients' quality of life. One of its dimensions is the satisfaction with one's sexual life. Patients with epilepsy usually report low sexual satisfaction due to commonly diagnosed disturbances of sexual functions characterized by a multifactorial etiology. The aim of the study was to assess the level of satisfaction with their sexual life in patients after the surgical resection of an epileptic focus. Patients and methods: The study group included 63 patients who had undergone the surgical resection of an epileptic focus in a neurosurgical ward. The study was conducted with the present authors' own tool consisting of three parts. Result: The patients assessed their sexual life as moderately satisfactory (the average score was 4 out of a 7-grade scale). 38% of the respondents reported a complete withdrawal from sexual life, sporadic sexual activity or masturbatory behavior (instead of interactive behavior). This type of behavior correlates with the reduction in sexual satisfaction. Higher satisfaction is associated with initiating new behavior which is adequate to the patient's health status, more frequent sexual contacts or no changes between behavior before and after the surgery. Moreover, the removal of an epileptic focus reduced the fear of a possible seizure during intercourse. Conclusion: Based on the findings it may be assumed that the sexual satisfaction of patients with epilepsy after the resection of an epileptogenic focus is markedly affected by psychological factors, which should be considered in the therapeutic process. Keywords: Epilepsy, Sexual satisfaction, Epileptic focus resection, Quality of life