The sexual and reproductive health in men with generalized epilepsy: a multidisciplinary evaluation.
Author: Hamed S, Mohamed K, El Taher A, Hamed E, Omar H.
Source:
International journal of impotence research, 18(3), 287-295.
This study was specifically aimed to evaluate the sexual and reproductive health
in a group of men with generalized epilepsy. In total, 44 men with generalized
epilepsy were included in this study, their ages between 18 and 48 years
(29.2+/-9.9) and duration of illness between 2 and 35 years (11.2+/-7.4); 34
patients were treated with conventional antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). Sexological
and psychological interviews together with serum total testosterone, E(2), FSH,
LH and prolactin were determined. Hyposexuality was diagnosed in 61.4%. Erectile
dysfunction (ED) and premature ejaculation represented 70.4 and 66.7%,
respectively. Variables such as hyposexuality, seizure duration and its poor
control on AEDs were significantly associated with depressive symptoms. Compared
to the normal control group, all patients reported elevated E(2) levels
(P<0.001), 10 had FSH (n=4) and LH (n=6) levels exceeding that of the normal
range for controls and two had hyperprolactinemiAlthough the patients' mean
value of total testosterone remained within the normal range, but it was
significantly lower in hyposexual men compared to nonhyposexual (P<0.002), only
two epileptic patients had markedly reduced level of total testosterone beyond
normal control levels. This study strongly supports that: (1) The risk of
hyposexuality and reproductive disturbances is high in epileptic patients with
GTC convulsions despite the AEDs utilized. The risk for SD is further increased
by poor seizure control and the frequently accompanied depressive manifestations.
(2) It is possible that elevated E2 could increase the risk of SD by reducing
active testosterone through negative feedback and the reduction of active
testosterone could increase seizure intractability to antiepileptic medications