Sexual dysfunction is a very common problem in the MS population at all stages of the disease although the reasons for the sexual dysfunction may vary over time. Although MS may directly involve parts of the nervous system required for normal sexual function, quite often the sexual problems result from a complex interaction between MS involvement of areas of the nervous system involved in normal sexual function, other medical conditions, medications, mood disorders and relationship issues,
Sexual dysfunction is a subject that often goes under recognized and under treated. Patients are often reluctant to reveal they are having sexual difficulty or health care providers are unwilling to address these issues. As a result it often becomes more difficult to treat sexual problems because of the chronic nature of the issues and the behaviors that are established by couples as a result of the sexual problems. Clinical psychologists can help surmount these chronic issues and work with individuals or couples to promote more sensitive communication to help enhance the sexual experience.
Some physical and occupation therapiest are trained to address positioning techniques to enhance sexual comfort and the use of sexual devices to enhance sexual pleasure. More often patients will need to seek out a sex therapist or other sources of informal information and assistance.
Bowel, bladder, fatigue, and spasticity problems may also contribute to sexual dysfunction and if this is a problem, treatments are available to enhance sexual function.
Additional sexual dysfunction treatments may include: sex education materials, oral medications (Viagra-sildenafil; , Levitra-vardenafil; Cialis-tadalafil), topical hormones for both men and women, sex therapy (body mapping other than genitals), counseling, provision of sexual devices (vibrators, lubricants,) intracorporeal injection of medication into the penis, noninvasive physical treatments for erectile dysfunction (vacuum tumescence penis pumps), or surgery for erectile dysfunction (implantation of inflatable or semi-rigid rods).
Source: http://www.va.gov/MS/articles/Sexual_Dysfunction_and_Multiple_Sclerosis.asp
Sexual dysfunction is a subject that often goes under recognized and under treated. Patients are often reluctant to reveal they are having sexual difficulty or health care providers are unwilling to address these issues. As a result it often becomes more difficult to treat sexual problems because of the chronic nature of the issues and the behaviors that are established by couples as a result of the sexual problems. Clinical psychologists can help surmount these chronic issues and work with individuals or couples to promote more sensitive communication to help enhance the sexual experience.
Some physical and occupation therapiest are trained to address positioning techniques to enhance sexual comfort and the use of sexual devices to enhance sexual pleasure. More often patients will need to seek out a sex therapist or other sources of informal information and assistance.
Bowel, bladder, fatigue, and spasticity problems may also contribute to sexual dysfunction and if this is a problem, treatments are available to enhance sexual function.
Additional sexual dysfunction treatments may include: sex education materials, oral medications (Viagra-sildenafil; , Levitra-vardenafil; Cialis-tadalafil), topical hormones for both men and women, sex therapy (body mapping other than genitals), counseling, provision of sexual devices (vibrators, lubricants,) intracorporeal injection of medication into the penis, noninvasive physical treatments for erectile dysfunction (vacuum tumescence penis pumps), or surgery for erectile dysfunction (implantation of inflatable or semi-rigid rods).
Source: http://www.va.gov/MS/articles/Sexual_Dysfunction_and_Multiple_Sclerosis.asp
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