Neuroanatomic Correlates of Female Sexual Dysfunction in Multiple Sclerosis

This study intended to determine associations between alterations of female sexual arousal as well as vaginal lubrication and the site of cerebral multiple sclerosis (MS) lesions. Methods: In 44 women with MS (mean age 36.5±9.9 years), we assessed their medical history and evaluated sexual function using the Female Sexual Function Index scores for arousal and vaginal lubrication. We determined potential confounding factors of sexual dysfunction: age, disease duration, physical disability, depression, bladder or urinary dysfunction, and total volume of cerebral lesions. Arousal and lubrication scores were correlated with each other and with potential confounding factors. Cerebral MS lesions were recorded on imaging scans. A voxel‐based lesion symptom mapping (VLSM) analysis adjusted for confounding variables was performed correlating cerebral sites of MS lesions with arousal and lubrication scores. Results: Decreased arousal scores correlated with decreased lubrication scores; decreased lubrication scores were associated with bladder or urinary symptoms. Arousal and lubrication scores were not associated with any other variables. Multivariate VLSM analysis including arousal and lubrication scores as covariables of interest showed right occipital lesions associated with impaired arousal and left insular lesions associated with decreased lubrication. Impaired lubrication remained associated with left insular lesions after adjustment for bladder or urinary dysfunction. Interpr...
Source: Annals of Neurology - Category: Neurology Authors: Tags: Research Article Source Type: research