Physician–Patient Communication About Sexual Functioning in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis

Lara M Stepleman, Eliot J. Lopez, Lauren A. Stutts, William H. Hudson, Marie Christine Rutter Goodworth, Rebecca Rahn

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

7 Scopus citations

Abstract

Sexual dysfunction is quite common among individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS); however, severity of dysfunction alone does not account for the tremendous variation in sexual satisfaction across individuals living with MS. Individual characteristics, relationships with intimate partners, and environmental factors all likely contribute to the multidimensional experience of sexual satisfaction. Health care provider variables, including how one communicates with providers about sexual concerns, may also be influential. The purpose of this study was to examine factors that are associated with patients’ sex-related communications with their MS physicians and to overall patient sexual satisfaction. Individuals in an MS clinic (n = 73) completed a survey packet which included measures of physical and mental health, sexual dysfunction, sexual satisfaction, sex communication, health care provider relationships, and health care satisfaction. Findings suggest that while more than half of patients with MS reported experiencing sexual dysfunction, only a third of patients indicated addressing their sexual concerns with their physician during the past year. Interestingly, the frequency of communication about sexual concerns was associated with satisfaction with physician variables, whereas self-efficacy for these interactions was associated with emotional health variables. These results indicate that when considering interventions to increase confidence for communication and frequency of communication that differing factors may be taken into account.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)239-254
Number of pages16
JournalSexuality and Disability
Volume34
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 1 2016

Keywords

  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Physician–patient communication
  • Sexual functioning
  • Sexual satisfaction
  • United States

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation
  • Rehabilitation

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