Sexual dysfunction in patients with peripheral nervous system lesions. 2015

Simon Podnar, and David B Vodušek
Institute of Clinical Neurophysiology, Division of Neurology, University Medical Center Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia. Electronic address: simon.podnar@kclj.si.

Peripheral nervous system (PNS) disorders may cause sexual dysfunction (SD) in patients of both genders. These disorders include mainly polyneuropathies (particularly those affecting the autonomic nervous system (ANS)) and localized lesions affecting the innervation of genital organs. Impaired neural control may produce a malfunction of the genital response consisting of loss of genital sensitivity, erectile dysfunction, loss of vaginal lubrication, ejaculation disorder, and orgasmic disorder. In addition, there is often a loss of desire which actually has a complex pathogenesis, which goes beyond the mere loss of relevant nerve function. In patients who have no manifest health problems - particularly men with erectile dysfunction - one should always consider the possibility of an underlying polyneuropathy; in patients with SD after suspected denervation lesions of the innervation of genital organs within the lumbosacral spinal canal and in the pelvis, clinical neurophysiologic testing may clarify the PNS involvement. SD can alter self-esteem and lower patients' quality of life; opening up a discussion on sexual issues should be a part of the management of patients with PNS disorders. They may greatly benefit from counseling, education on coping strategies, and specific treatments.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D010523 Peripheral Nervous System Diseases Diseases of the peripheral nerves external to the brain and spinal cord, which includes diseases of the nerve roots, ganglia, plexi, autonomic nerves, sensory nerves, and motor nerves. Peripheral Nerve Diseases,Peripheral Neuropathies,PNS (Peripheral Nervous System) Diseases,PNS Diseases,Peripheral Nervous System Disease,Peripheral Nervous System Disorders,Nerve Disease, Peripheral,Nerve Diseases, Peripheral,Neuropathy, Peripheral,PNS Disease,Peripheral Nerve Disease,Peripheral Neuropathy
D005260 Female Females
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D012735 Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological Physiological disturbances in normal sexual performance in either the male or the female. Sex Disorders,Sexual Disorders, Physiological,Sexual Dysfunctions, Physiological,Physiological Sexual Disorder,Physiological Sexual Disorders,Physiological Sexual Dysfunction,Physiological Sexual Dysfunctions,Sexual Disorder, Physiological

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